Kayak Racks, Yakima Showboat

MKRyan · 04-24-2011, 11:03 PM

Finally had some good weather to get out and mount the new kayak racks. I saw a thread on here where someone was talking about the 'Thule Slipstream' roller system for assisting the install of kayaks on top of the SMB. I looked at the Slipstream but decided to go with the 'Yakima Showboat'. It's the same principle as the Slipsteam, a roller that moves out over the back of the van, except that it's wider and can accomodate two kayaks with one system. Got the saddles mounted this weekend and took some pictures.

This is the Showboat slid into position for traveling.

The Showboat out over the back edge of the van and slid to the left for loading to the left saddles.

And slid to the right.

It is easy for my wife and I to mount and dismount the kayaks. Could do it with one person if needed to, but a little awkward for longer kayaks. Ours are 14'.

The Showboat will also mount to Thule crossbars (my SMB came with 4 Thule crossbars). I used the additional two so that the boats would be mounted a little forward on the top of the van. You need to mount the Showboat itself toward the rear so that the roller bar doesn't have to cantilever too far. The heavier the boat, the less the cantilever distance. My boats are 55lbs each, so, per the directions, it can cantilever up to 24".

More pictures to follow.

Mike

MKRyan · 04-24-2011, 11:06 PM

More pictures. How do you get more than three pictures to post?

MKRyan · 04-24-2011, 11:28 PM

Some pictures with the top up. No problem with the weight. I'm guessing about 140lbs total weight including the racks and crossbars.

Mike

sdwindansea · 04-25-2011, 11:40 AM

I am the one that posted about the Thule Slipstream. The Showboat looks like a great setup, probably better than what we are using since it slides left to right. We load on the driver side then have to move one to the passenger side by lifting the kayak over.

I'm definitely not comfortable loading/unloading the kayaks myself. Our kayaks are 16' and I'm not tall enough to get enough leverage to push them on the roof past the center point. Factor in some wind and it really gets tough.

Great looking van and boats. Have fun with them.

Geoff

jage · 04-27-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKRyan

More pictures. How do you get more than three pictures to post?

Use your gallery links [photo] [thumb] instead of attaching to the post.

MKRyan · 04-28-2011, 08:01 PM

Thanks for the info Jage. I'll give that a try next time I post pix.

Mike