any tips on getting sport kayaks onto Forester J racks?

Got a 06 Forester and need some advice on getting Kayaks up easily onto the Thule J racks I got for the stock Forester bars. Is it possible to get a sport or maybe a outback up there easily without getting the expensive hulavator or other system?

I agree that loading these are a problem but do not purchase a Hullavaotr.
My Friend and I both bought Hobie Outbacks and the Hullavator will not work for these. The local dealer for Thule installed one on our car and it will not work for our Outback kayaks. Does anyone have an idea how to transport these? We both are women and are unable to lift our 62 lb. outbacks up on the roof and push it forward onto a rack. Please help.

Ladies,

I did figure out how to get the sport onto the roof. Found an old rug in the house with a rubber backing and put in onto the back of the vehicle and then you can rest front of the kayak on the rug and push it up from there. The sport is light so much easier then the outback. I leave the straps on and connected and my wife holds them open and I slip the kayak through. We have J bars by thule so once up there it's easier to balance.
I imagine you can do the same thing with the outback but you probably will need both of you and maybe rest the rear of the kayak on a life jacket and lift the front up and then both slide the kayak onto the roof. That's if you have the J bars which is what I am familiar with. The J bars give you a guide and the kayak sits in there. I believe the outback will fit onto the J bars but I'm not positive.
Let me know how you make out.

Jack

Jack,
Thanks for the tips for loading the hobies. Although I didn't use a rug I did try using several thicknesses of a foam nonslip shelf liner on the back of the car. By doing what you suggested and using the life jacket as the "pillow" on the far end I was able to get the kayak up on the roof! I just reverse the process to get it off. Thank you so much. Now we both can load our Hobies and get on the water whenever we want.
Patti

Patti,

I've found after a few times out with both pedaling and paddling that my upper body strength increases significanty, probably in part because I was in such poor shape before. Anyway, it is becoming easier and easier to put the sports up on the car and you may find the same thing after a few trips with the outback. Hope it keeps working out well for you both.

Jack