Roof Rack - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

sasha · 03-31-2013, 11:42 AM

Here is my dilema I got a 2012 civic and a stealth-14. I want to put a roof rack on the car but afraid to damage the paint or the rubber seals on the doors. What everyone is doing to protect the car from the damage?? Everytime I think about getting a roofrack I think of the damage and back off. Any experience about long term use to you put the rack on and off or do you just leave it on all ways...
For now Im using my 81 VW camper but that thing is over 7ft tall closer to 8. (need a chair to tie the kayak) and its slow. Its just just a headache to use the van.

Dannowar · 03-31-2013, 12:56 PM

If it helps sway your decision, why would you want to beat up your new civic. Use the van, leave earlier if you're worried about how slow it is.

tacmik · 03-31-2013, 12:58 PM

Have you thought about a trailer?

sasha · 03-31-2013, 01:56 PM

The van is very old and it shows.. Great for camping and for what it is.. Don't want to just wear it out. Also the hight of the van is a killer and the kayak is not light. I did think about the trailer and been thinking about it alot. Only thing is parking at some places would be hard to find for a trailer..But other wise it might be a great option..
I want to make a weight all the options to see which one is the better one. Till then its my van who is going to take care of my kayaking.

GR6RR · 04-01-2013, 03:39 PM

quit being a baby. I had a yakima rack on my lexus ls430 to transport my S14 back and forth from SGV to OC waters almost every weekend. At the end... it's only a honda..

CKallday71 · 04-01-2013, 04:02 PM

This is why I love my Golf. I can stuff everyting in it or on it and never sweat anything. It carries my Yak on top no sweat and looks like I'm transporting a Cruise Missile. I get lots of stares going 80 down the freeway. And because it's a TDI (Turbo Diesel) I still get close to 40MPG.

03-31-2013, 11:42 AM	#1
sasha Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 275	Roof Rack Here is my dilema I got a 2012 civic and a stealth-14. I want to put a roof rack on the car but afraid to damage the paint or the rubber seals on the doors. What everyone is doing to protect the car from the damage?? Everytime I think about getting a roofrack I think of the damage and back off. Any experience about long term use to you put the rack on and off or do you just leave it on all ways... For now Im using my 81 VW camper but that thing is over 7ft tall closer to 8. (need a chair to tie the kayak) and its slow. Its just just a headache to use the van.

03-31-2013, 12:56 PM	#2
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	If it helps sway your decision, why would you want to beat up your new civic. Use the van, leave earlier if you're worried about how slow it is. __________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

03-31-2013, 12:58 PM	#3
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	Have you thought about a trailer? __________________

04-01-2013, 03:39 PM	#5
GR6RR Lucky Fisher Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: too far inland Posts: 366	quit being a baby. I had a yakima rack on my lexus ls430 to transport my S14 back and forth from SGV to OC waters almost every weekend. At the end... it's only a honda.. __________________

03-31-2013, 01:56 PM	#4
sasha Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 275	The van is very old and it shows.. Great for camping and for what it is.. Don't want to just wear it out. Also the hight of the van is a killer and the kayak is not light. I did think about the trailer and been thinking about it alot. Only thing is parking at some places would be hard to find for a trailer..But other wise it might be a great option.. I want to make a weight all the options to see which one is the better one. Till then its my van who is going to take care of my kayaking.