Rooftop transportation

[Jonesdds]

Received my Oldtown Sportsman 106 Minnkota the other day, can’t wait for springtime! I ran across this DIY loader: https://youtu.be/q3e61xCQzKg and starting to fab it. Similar to the Rhino racks nautic loader but a hell of a lot cheaper. I’m going to use bigger pipe than in video, 2” seemed a bit too flexible.

I have a Kargomaster Congo Cage on my Jeep and the connectors needed to mount two crossbars.

My questions are:

How far apart will I ideally mount the bars? I also have two four foot steel pieces that I will mount in the opposite direction of the cross bars, one to mount the crank and a pulley on and other will help guide boat onto cross bars. I was thinking 4 feet apart, it’s a 10’6” kayak.

I assume it should be mounted right side up, correct?

I have pads that I use for surfboards and SUPs that attach to cross bars. Is that a good way to go with the kayak? I’ve also seen foam blocks that fit over the bars as well. This kayaks bottom is kind of a double V vs just a single V like many kayaks. I see some kits with foam, straps and bow, stern lines that might work, the foam blocks aren’t very wide, I think 12” was the widest I’ve found so far.

Once I get my loader finished I’ll post some pics here.