Roof Top Transporting

I did wind up ordering the Smith Trailer
https://www.easternmarine.com/multispor ... -box-48870

With the shipping it was around $1100.00 I’ll probably have it in a week or 2 and I’ll do a review in the spring after I have used it a while. The stor I purchased from was $350 less than etrailer.com hopefully they don’t disappoint me.

The Smith trailer has 2 carpet covered bunks 4 or 5 feet long 4” wide should I use them or replace with pvc pipes?

The PWC trailer should work fine......suggest running the tires at a reduced pressure since the total weight is much less than what it's designed to carry.

The wood bunks won't give, so if you use PVC pipes, I would use 2" as Tom Kirkman used years ago.

The 2" diameter pipes will conform better to the hull shape although the 3" I used seems to be fine and has not stressed the underside and deck of the hull. I keep my PA-14 stored inside my garage so the hull is not exposed to sunlight heating and potentially distorting the hull.

Hobie sells the "official hull cradles"......expensive, but that's another option.

Another wild thought I have had over the years to accomplish absolute hull support and have never seen anyone try so far, is to use high quality, double braid sailing rigging line, as in "rope slings" under the hull.......3/8" to 7/16" OD. This stuff is very strong and low stretch.
Basically, its used in place of the PVC pipes and you only need maybe 26' total...this includes line from the end of the aft support to the roller, if you use one as I have on the back of the trailer and shown in the photo.

Hobie recommends the hull have their cradles to be cross supported 67" apart......well, my thought is it's better to support a larger % of the hull as the rope would do......Yes/No????
Anyway, just a wild thought.
Maybe Tom Kirkman will read this post and chime in......he has had some really good ideas over the years and I have "stolen shamelessly from him"

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I will see what other members of the local Bass Fishing Club in my area are doing with similar kayaks I will hopefully see how it’s best to connect the pvc pipe to the bunks. As far as storage of the kayak goes it will be outside but it will be covered with a tarp and under a wooden deck. From late March through November I will be using the kayak an average of 3 days a week. When the temperature goes below 45. It will be packed away for the winter I’m planning on putting the kayak in a factory case and I will store it on a 12’x4’ plywood on a concrete slab covered with a heavy duty waterproof tarp. When the plague is over I may take it on an extended southern holiday.The boat will be vented as I read it shouldn’t be wrapped airtight. I will now be selling my fiberglass canoe 1982 15 ’ Mohawk which has served me well.

Hi - (posted this one other place) - does anybody know where to buy one of these Rhino Rack T-loaders? I'm visiting NYC only for a few days, then to France and live in Mauritius. If anyone has for sale or any advice, please let me know

Just Google your inquiry to locate a dealer otherwise you need to order on line but you need a delivery destination....maybe to a UPS Store???

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Thanks. In fact, I've literally wasted hours across days doing just that but have failed. I've also called several vendors, but still no luck. This forum is my hope that I missed something, or that someone here has access to a vendor with the T-Loader in stock, but it isn't on line.