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Options for carrying a canoe/kayak

RubiconToad

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Yakima bars and mounts on roll bar when going topless and rails on the hardtop to use the same bars.

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gnome

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Do you ties down the bow as well? I also see you have gone right to the back and front of the hardtop for your racks - that's different to many I have seen on this thread - what are your thoughts with that? Last questions - how heavy is you kayak? How fast do you go over what distance?
Yes, both bow and stern get a tie down.... the issue with jeep hard top racks is uplift, more than weight.... the rack towers are spaced as far as possible on the rear with out going on the removable front section....this boat is a 15'.6" Current Designs Mystic with a Kevlar layup; it is only 42#.... with a tie on the front and back, doing 70mph is not a problem..... my average trip is less than 100 miles round trip..... I am going to go with a custom trailer soon.... it's getting to much to load boats on the roof anymore.... and then I can get a fishing kayak..... they are just to heavy to lift to a roof rack.
 

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BRuby

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Such great info and pic - thanks. How far from the back and front of the hard top do you mount your racks?
Hey chk out these pics to gauge the distances. Our bar spread is limited by the Skybox mount points. Def roof rails have been majorly punished at speed bombing over FSR potholed and washboard ruts. But airing down to 18 helps the Rubi suspension float nicely. As well uplift on the hwy is perfectly fine up to 70. No problems at all.

Without a doubt a stock Rubi can pretty much go anywhere you need it to go - in complete comfort.

Jeep Wrangler JL Options for carrying a canoe/kayak D68F1550-B92F-4089-8CB7-D5A528D8DB44


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MBurgJL

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Here is my set up - cheap 4x6 utility trailer with rack systems. Similar to a previous thread but I have mine set up for two kayaks on top and one below which can be easily removed for camping gear.

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Jeep Wrangler JL Options for carrying a canoe/kayak 72622A83-087A-4A69-A49B-0EFBEF48B7A9
Great set up. Can you define "Cheap" including total cost of this set up?
 

RedXJ97

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Have you got a follow up report on what you loaded the JL with? Weight? Length? Speed? Distance?
We've had no issues with the rack. So far mostly used it for Bikes but I have taken kayaks on occasion. Only short (5-8 ft), light (around 30 lbs) whitewater boats but no issues on the interstate and 70-80 mph. The JL is my wife's daily driver so it's not my primary adventure vehicle.
 

RedXJ97

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Ok, here's the setup. Thule ProBar Evo 1.5m with Thule 9512 rain gutter feet and Thule kayak cradles. Leaving tomorrow for Byron Bay, 760km with speeds of up to 110 km/h.
Jeep Wrangler JL Options for carrying a canoe/kayak 72622A83-087A-4A69-A49B-0EFBEF48B7A9
Jeep Wrangler JL Options for carrying a canoe/kayak 72622A83-087A-4A69-A49B-0EFBEF48B7A9
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Jeep Wrangler JL Options for carrying a canoe/kayak 72622A83-087A-4A69-A49B-0EFBEF48B7A9
Nice Surf Ski! I don't think weight will be any problem!
 

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How have the past 18 months gone with your setup? I'm not sure I'm going to use the freedom panels, but am planning a very similar setup.
It's been good!

However, I'll probably be selling my Rhino Vortex rack. It does a good job and looks great but I need a horizontal bar with an overhang since I want to install a Hullavator which is a side loader.
 

stitch

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The Thule Square bars do the job. They come in various lengths. I bought the 2m wide Thule bars second hand (from a van owner)
They fit nicely two canoes side by side + extra peddles/bamboe beams. Total weight of canoes probably around 150 pounds , didnt hear or see any cracks on the roof/gutters (kept higway speed below 70mph). Bars did bent tho a bit, but no worries. They stick out about 5 inches each side from the mirrors, but great to add extras on the side.
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maguro

maguro

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Ok, here's the setup. Thule ProBar Evo 1.5m with Thule 9512 rain gutter feet and Thule kayak cradles. Leaving tomorrow for Byron Bay, 760km with speeds of up to 110 km/h.
Jeep Wrangler JL Options for carrying a canoe/kayak 20201028_161401
Awesome V10! Personally, I've got a Stellar on order for the summer but the Epics are truly amazing!

I recently moved my Yakima roof rack towers backwards so that the front tower is just behind the freedom panel. I really wanted to keep my towers in the middle of the roof so that my kayaks/canoes wouldn't stick out so much in the back but after seeing your setup, I guess I can't complain about my short boats. Hahaha!

How do you take it on/off your roof? I'm thinking of getting a Yakima showboat to roll my boats off the back. It shouldn't be a problem especially if I'm moving them backwards.
 

smoothdurban

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It's been almost a year and a half since I started this thread but I'm happy to report that I finally strapped my canoe onto my JLUR.

I ended up getting a set of Rhino Vortex bars and paired them with a Thule Portage canoe mount.

The instructions for the Vortex indicated that I should place the front bar onto the Freedom panels - although I'm not sure how safe that is.

I also found it a little difficult to find a place to mount my front tie down but that's just another excuse for me to upgrade my bumper in the future.

jl-swiftcanoe.jpg
How long is your canoe in this photo?

Thinking of a similar setup but curious about the length of your canoe.



CORRECTION I see it in your first post 16'
Any canoeists or kayakers here?

How are you planning on transporting your canoe or kayak on your JL?

My JLUR will be my first Wrangler and I'm just starting my research on how to carry my 12' kayak and 16' canoe.

I need to mount 17' canoe that weighs ~ 60 lbs and I am looking at options.

What I find odd is the mopar mounts say you cannot mount to the freedom panels but Rhino rack says AOK.
 
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maguro

maguro

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I need to mount 17' canoe that weighs ~ 60 lbs and I am looking at options.

What I find odd is the mopar mounts say you cannot mount to the freedom panels but Rhino rack says AOK.
Yeah, Rhino says it's ok and although I've had no issues with the freedom panels, I'm going to play it safe and move them backwards. I'm guessing an inverted canoe would have a lot more surface area to push upwards on the freedom panels, versus say, a narrow sea kayak.
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