Small newbie female loading/unloading a Revo to Subaru

Would like some experienced feedback on loading/unloading my Revo to Subaru wagon top, please. I'm 5'5" 125 lbs and strong, however sorta wrangling with it. Managed with a rental couple times and now have my own!!! that I am (frankly) more careful with. Loading from the side, midway to rack and then pivoting seems ok. Unloading from back by pulling off, straight back...? Good places to grab are a bit of my dilemma. Appreciate feedback. Also, preferred wheels/carts...?

I use one of these that allows you to only have to lift one end at a time

http://www.rackandroll.net.au/

Regards Don

Try a Thule Hullivator? We used them last year with the lighter Sport and heavier Outback and it was a pretty good solution.

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Mitch

2010 Tandem Island
2010 Revolution
Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore

My sailing blog
Our sailing videos

Welcome lula,

You will get all sorts of assistance from this forum on any topic you need help on.
Loading your kayak can be a daunting task dependant on your vehicle, vehicle height, rack system and your physical height can play a role as well. Rack systems can go from simple pads on factory bars to elaborate and expensive racks and rack mounted carriers costing in the hundreds of dollars.

Having a single kayak .. simple roof or roof rack pads are the least expensive and you can place a towel or blanket on the back of the vehicle then place the nose of your kayak onto the roof and slide the yak up onto the pads from the rear of the vehicle. I have a Thule rack system with 65" bars and slide 2 revolutions up from rear of my Xterra up onto the pads.

I will suggest that you add a carry handle behind your seat as others had posted here and that will give you a tremendous advantage in portaging your kayak by gripping the carry handle and slipping your hand through the Mirage Drive well. You can then hold the handle behind the seat and the carry handle at the rudder to help guide it onto the roof. You then then flip it over if you carry it upside down or leave it upright. I carry mine upright.



The Rack & Roll is a great tool but not sure if sold in the U.S. If you have a Thule rack system added to your factory rack you can get the outrigger that does the same thing.

http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/Wat ... 16192.aspx

Bear in mind any extender only works if noone is parked next to you and you can get your kayak alongside the vehicle.

Revo

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Here's more information on Revo's grip,
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8813

Here are a couple of commercial adaptations to help you load and unload from the back of your car:




Here's a less expensive home made version:




If you load from the back or side, it's easier to handle the boat one end at a time:




Notice the small carpet sample on the ground to prevent scratches from the pavement.

Regarding wheels, I've been using the standard Hobie cart for years -- works great for all but soft sand. The new carts can lock onto the boat so you can plug it on while the boat is still on your roof, and you can set it down on the wheels and roll it right into the water.

Thank you, everybody, SO much!! I don't feel like such a wimp afterall:)

Thule Slipstream 887xt. Google it. It will help a solo loader for Cheaper than a Hullivator...... those are nice too though.


Welcome to the site

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2010 Hibiscus Adventure Island

Load it from the front of the car, it's much easier. Here's what I do.
I made a set of PVC (1-inch dia) bull horns with $5 suction cups (from Harbor Frieght) that stick on my hood, like a hood oriment. 2 tennis balls for protection.
Put yakima hully rollers on my front bar and kayak saddles on my back bar.
With the wheels on my Outback, just roll it up and rest the bow in the bullhorns.
walk around to the back of the yak and lift up and push it forward to the hully rollers. simple, just don't trip on the wheels when they drop out.
there's a video on youtube showing how to make the bull horns. i made a slightly different version.

here's the video of the front loader.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBcPgDx5kJY

Now, that's a nice job.

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

That is a great homemade loader I must admit.

Makes me want to be crafty and build one for myself.

The 4 cup suction lifter I found for $16.87US at this website .. very affordable and I gather it is cut in half to make the two loaders.

http://www.jackstoolshed.com/index/page ... Cup+Handle

Revo

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

I just needed one on the hood, so I used the dual suction cup handle.

I like that home made version of the Yakima showboat..

I had it on my camry for a while, but of course driving around DC with the showboat on the roof of my camry gets all kinds of wierd looks (the entire rack system looks like a gun turret)..I took it off, and now use it on my suburban..

I like that home made version of the Yakima showboat..

I had it on my camry for a while, but of course driving around DC with the showboat on the roof of my camry gets all kinds of wierd looks (the entire rack system looks like a gun turret)..I took it off, and now use it on my suburban..

I like that home made version of the Yakima showboat..

I had it on my camry for a while, but of course driving around DC with the showboat on the roof of my camry gets all kinds of wierd looks (the entire rack system looks like a gun turret)..I took it off, and now use it on my suburban..