Roof-topping a 2019 Ouback

I need to transport a 2019 Outback cross-country (2200 miles). I have Yakima core bars on a full size pickup topper. I’ve used saddles in the past for sit inside kayaks, but this is my first SOT. Should I transport it hull down with saddles or hull up with just crossbar pads? Any pics of a current car top setup with a 2019 would be appreciated!

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

Merci Francois!

Based on the distance you are traveling I would recommend hull down with just crossbar pads (I would think) would be the safest on the hull.

I would definitely transport it upside down, there are strong flat places fore and aft to make contact with the crossbars.

I store mine that way, resting on 2x4's that just have some thin outdoor carpet wrapped around them.

FYI- I took this picture because the light/contrast really showed the new hull design- narrow wave cutting 'revo like' at the bow, wide flat center, low drag stern with drop down rudder- tracks well, very stable but turns on a dime.

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2019 Outback360 'Fish Retriever'
2016 i11s 'Go Cougs!'
2012 Oasis and 2012 PA12 (moved on but not forgotten...)

My dealer suggested hull-up with padding on the bars. The Hobie owner’s packet says hull-up on padded crossbars, unless carried in cradles designed for upright transportation (like Francois does in his video). I have a set of Thule Dockgrip cradles from transporting my last kayak, but I like the idea of hull-up for better aerodynamics on the highway. Has anyone made a long highway trip with the 2019 Outback yet?

Yah~ I’ve done 200+ miles Interstate at speeds of 70- I have Whispbars & I use 10” pool noodle pieces covered in the top in gorilla tape just under the points of contact on my upside down 2019 Outback, and strap it down - here’s a short YouTube vid of my set up-
https://youtu.be/B7xEXqdrJoc
SECURE with a bike lock, as your straps will loosen over the trip.

Should have mentioned, the short lengths of pool noodles in place of a full bar pad makes for a quieter, more Arodynamic profile- I’m seeing 50+ MPG on top of my Kia Niro- it’s a small hybrid, so yeah, fairly impressed!

I ended up going with Hobie's 36" Aero Crossbar pads. It's an easy lift to prop the bow on the rear crossbar and slide the boat straight up from the back. I put a thin carpet over the rearmost crossbar to protect the pad and hatch glass while loading. There are no ropes or straps in these pics as this was a trial run. I only have to do this a couple of times per year. The rest of the time, I slide the boat into the bed and use a bed extender.

Anyone ever used the Thule kayak carrier 874?
Being flexible and able to perfectly hold to the OB19 hull shape, i cannot see why it shouldn't work.
I personally find it almost same as the Hobie cradle less the centre support.
Will like to hear about pros and cons of this carrier.

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@kayakdropshot, I’m with 874 and 895, they are perfect in combination with Rhino Rack Side Loader.

874:





895:





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Johnnybravo,

Thank you for sharing this info.
You noticed nothing about the hull or whatsoever issue that the support could have caused?

Also i notice you are in Bulgaria and lucky not to have those hot days.

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Only if the straps are overtightened. I've been quite a long time riding my Tandem Island this way and I have not had any problems.








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Follow up: trip went great with the boat riding hull-up and resting on Hobie 36” aero bar pads. No movement whatsoever, even in 20+ mph crosswinds. I used bow and stern tie-down ropes and had the plug in the Mirage drive cavity. The load was quiet and really didn’t cause a big hit to gas mileage. Without the additional height of saddles, the boat hugged the roof of my truck/cap very well. Plus the pads make it easy to reposition things once on the rack.




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