THULE roof Racks for a Hobie - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Phatford · 07-08-2011, 10:08 AM

I am getting killed on gas prices driving my 8.1 liter truck to and from the beach..... So I am thinking of putting a roof rack on my Chevy Aveo (this car gets the chicks ha ha). My kayak is a Hobie Outback...

Anyone have experience with the Thule racks specifically?
I can get my best deal about 50% off through my best friend.
There are a couple different bases, two options for bars Square or Aero, and a miriad of kayak holding options. Non of which show a sit on top kayak... ha ha So before I plunk down money I wanted to find out from the experts...
Thanks guys

joshg · 07-08-2011, 10:23 AM

I'm dealing with the same problem myself.. I have a brand new acura and my REVO is huge! I can use soft racks anymore, I just don't know if they make them for my car!

Good luck

Phatford · 07-08-2011, 10:44 AM

I know I am going to get laughed at when I roll out to the beach, My kayak and surboard both are longer than the little car is... ha ha

joshg · 07-08-2011, 11:13 AM

Yeah I have the same problem!! hahaha Now some how I have 2 kayaks now so I really don't know how this all will work out!

blitzburgh · 07-08-2011, 11:54 AM

I have a Thule rig on my Mazda 3 hb and love it. I've had it for about a year & a half now, using it approx. every couple of weeks with no issues. Every few trips or so I just check to make sure everything is secure and tight. Great quality & MADE IN THE USA! When I was installing my rack I had some questions, called customer service and got very good help. If you can get it on the cheap, jump all over it. I got the regular bars but wish I would have sprung for the aero bars just because they look nicer. Get the Fairing for sure though. It cuts down the wind noise big time. I went with the Glide and Set option. I wanted the Hullivator but its only rated to 75lbs. and I have a Pro Angler soooo...nope. Also, they have a cool mat accessory to put on your roof while loading now. I'd pick that up too. Sand + Car paint =

. Your set up won't be too ridiculous. Here is a pic of my PA on my sled. Don't get much funnier than this

scoop · 07-08-2011, 01:12 PM

I have Thule on my VW Jetta. I went square, and would do so again!

Made a getto rack extender, see detail in

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...&postcount=107

Saves on the chiropractor bills

romspacenut · 07-08-2011, 02:00 PM

I have a the Thule Slipstream on my Acura RDX and my haul my Hobie PA that way. No issues.

tagyak · 07-08-2011, 02:17 PM

if you go with thule, go with the square rack. this will allow for you to use a yakima mounting hardware too.
yakima's are round but the mounts are made so if you have a square bar, you can just cut off some extra plastic on the mounts to use for a thule rack. thought that was smart of yakima to do.
also if you look on c.l. for yakima racks you can find some good deals. i got mine from c.l. for around $50, the mako and the hully rollers.
i have mine mounted to a honda crv, your outback is going to look big compared to your aveo.

jorluivil · 07-08-2011, 02:35 PM

I know the feeling. I was getting killed on fuel on my Tundra so I bought a Yakima rack for my wifes Honda Accord, my Tundra gets about 15mpg compared to 22mpg on the Accord. I only use my Tundra if I'm fishing local or going to LJ in a group of two or more. Do like I do and try to get a group together that will carpool.

fredsoller · 07-08-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoop

I have Thule on my VW Jetta. I went square, and would do so again!

Made a getto rack extender, see detail in

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...&postcount=107

Saves on the chiropractor bills

Love Ur getto rack extender. I saw Tule wanted $80 +/- for theirs. Was thinkin some kind of channel or tube would fit right in the square. Looks like a project I can do.

Handymansd · 07-08-2011, 03:40 PM

Dude how do you launch... just drive out into the ocean until the car is folating and peddle off... or does the car just float below the PA?

fredsoller · 07-08-2011, 04:04 PM

I use a Hull-a-port pro on a Honda Civic to haul a Malibu X-13 all around mountain lakes in Oregon. Moved to AZ 6 mo ago and the yak made the 1400 mile trip just fine. Great, secure carrier. Picked up a Glide and Slide on the cheap and I'm sure it'll work fine, too...just haven't told the little Mrs about the 2nd yak plan.

Phatford · 07-08-2011, 06:01 PM

Wow thank you guys for posting up... Yeah I am definately getting a THULE rack, especially since I haven't seen a "I lost my boat because of a Thule rack" ha ha

The one thing I was thinking was that on an Aveo it is pretty narrow, so I would have to tilt the kayak if I wanted two up there right? (I know some of you are thinking, thats more weight above the rack than below). ha ha....

Are the racks really that noisy that you need the deflector? Or is that a car by car basis?

Thanks again guys!

RedSledTeam · 07-08-2011, 07:03 PM

I use Yakima racks, mako saddles, hulley rollers and the hullraisers on top of my old Pathfinder....

roby · 07-08-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

The one thing I was thinking was that on an Aveo it is pretty narrow, so I would have to tilt the kayak if I wanted two up there right? (I know some of you are thinking, thats more weight above the rack than below). ha ha....

The bar can extend past your car...

Quote:

Are the racks really that noisy that you need the deflector? Or is that a car by car basis?

Try using the rack without a deflector first. It's a simple add on that you can put on afterwards.

FYI: the Thule website has a "fit guide" section. I linked it below...

http://www.thule.com/fitguide/index....n-US&Market=US

Phatford · 07-08-2011, 11:20 PM

Thank you Yes I kind of thought about having it wider but I am dumb enough to keep bumping into anything sticking out all the time and since the rack will always be on the car... I think I have to go with whatever fits...

I did go to the Thule website and believe it or not Today they changed it and discontinued the one I thought I was going to buy and they added prices to the website which is cool... ha ha

The problem with their fit guide is that it is strictly for the car.... I wanted to know what worked for our style kayaks too.... I guess there isn't a huge difference?

I think I am set on buying the aero bars and the kayak mounts that tilt the kayak. I can't see any real difference in the bases?

Again thank you guys you helped me out a lot.

Lets_Fish · 07-09-2011, 06:21 AM

If you plan on loading your yak upside down, you will only need to purchase the cross bars, four "bases", some type of padding for cross bar and tie downs.

I have a set of Thule's on my F-150 with two pairs of the Glide & Set to carry two yaks. As with any kayak the hulls differ so placing equal amounts of pressure onto the "rack" is difficult. I also have a wagon that has a Inno rack. It came with large form blocks & a cable that lets you "lock" the yak to the rack, but once again hull design comes into play using those blocks. I purchased a set of foam surfboard pads and placed those over the cross bars. Now when I load the yak onto the wagon I load it upside down.

As for noise, the racks do add some to it. You will also have a decrease in gas mileage. I do not have the fairing on either of my vehicles but have been thinking of purchasing one for my wagon since I use it more hoping to increase mileage and reduce noise.

07-08-2011, 10:08 AM	#1
Phatford Heroes on the Water Staff Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Anahiem Posts: 176	THULE roof Racks for a Hobie I am getting killed on gas prices driving my 8.1 liter truck to and from the beach..... So I am thinking of putting a roof rack on my Chevy Aveo (this car gets the chicks ha ha). My kayak is a Hobie Outback... Anyone have experience with the Thule racks specifically? I can get my best deal about 50% off through my best friend. There are a couple different bases, two options for bars Square or Aero, and a miriad of kayak holding options. Non of which show a sit on top kayak... ha ha So before I plunk down money I wanted to find out from the experts... Thanks guys

07-08-2011, 02:35 PM	#9
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	I know the feeling. I was getting killed on fuel on my Tundra so I bought a Yakima rack for my wifes Honda Accord, my Tundra gets about 15mpg compared to 22mpg on the Accord. I only use my Tundra if I'm fishing local or going to LJ in a group of two or more. Do like I do and try to get a group together that will carpool. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

07-08-2011, 03:40 PM	#11
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Dude how do you launch... just drive out into the ocean until the car is folating and peddle off... or does the car just float below the PA? __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

07-09-2011, 06:21 AM	#17
Lets_Fish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wildomar, CA. Posts: 294	Save some $$$ If you plan on loading your yak upside down, you will only need to purchase the cross bars, four "bases", some type of padding for cross bar and tie downs. I have a set of Thule's on my F-150 with two pairs of the Glide & Set to carry two yaks. As with any kayak the hulls differ so placing equal amounts of pressure onto the "rack" is difficult. I also have a wagon that has a Inno rack. It came with large form blocks & a cable that lets you "lock" the yak to the rack, but once again hull design comes into play using those blocks. I purchased a set of foam surfboard pads and placed those over the cross bars. Now when I load the yak onto the wagon I load it upside down. As for noise, the racks do add some to it. You will also have a decrease in gas mileage. I do not have the fairing on either of my vehicles but have been thinking of purchasing one for my wagon since I use it more hoping to increase mileage and reduce noise.

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07-08-2011, 10:23 AM	#2
joshg Junior Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 18	I'm dealing with the same problem myself.. I have a brand new acura and my REVO is huge! I can use soft racks anymore, I just don't know if they make them for my car! Good luck

07-08-2011, 10:44 AM	#3
Phatford Heroes on the Water Staff Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Anahiem Posts: 176	I know I am going to get laughed at when I roll out to the beach, My kayak and surboard both are longer than the little car is... ha ha

07-08-2011, 11:13 AM	#4
joshg Junior Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 18	Yeah I have the same problem!! hahaha Now some how I have 2 kayaks now so I really don't know how this all will work out!

07-08-2011, 01:12 PM	#6
scoop Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 60	I have Thule on my VW Jetta. I went square, and would do so again! Made a getto rack extender, see detail in http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...&postcount=107 Saves on the chiropractor bills

07-08-2011, 02:00 PM	#7
romspacenut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 209	I have a the Thule Slipstream on my Acura RDX and my haul my Hobie PA that way. No issues.

07-08-2011, 02:17 PM	#8
tagyak Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Alhambra Posts: 506	if you go with thule, go with the square rack. this will allow for you to use a yakima mounting hardware too. yakima's are round but the mounts are made so if you have a square bar, you can just cut off some extra plastic on the mounts to use for a thule rack. thought that was smart of yakima to do. also if you look on c.l. for yakima racks you can find some good deals. i got mine from c.l. for around $50, the mako and the hully rollers. i have mine mounted to a honda crv, your outback is going to look big compared to your aveo.

07-08-2011, 04:04 PM	#12
fredsoller Junior Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Albany, OR & El Tuito MX Posts: 6	I use a Hull-a-port pro on a Honda Civic to haul a Malibu X-13 all around mountain lakes in Oregon. Moved to AZ 6 mo ago and the yak made the 1400 mile trip just fine. Great, secure carrier. Picked up a Glide and Slide on the cheap and I'm sure it'll work fine, too...just haven't told the little Mrs about the 2nd yak plan.

07-08-2011, 06:01 PM	#13
Phatford Heroes on the Water Staff Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Anahiem Posts: 176	Wow thank you guys for posting up... Yeah I am definately getting a THULE rack, especially since I haven't seen a "I lost my boat because of a Thule rack" ha ha The one thing I was thinking was that on an Aveo it is pretty narrow, so I would have to tilt the kayak if I wanted two up there right? (I know some of you are thinking, thats more weight above the rack than below). ha ha.... Are the racks really that noisy that you need the deflector? Or is that a car by car basis? Thanks again guys!

07-08-2011, 11:20 PM	#16
Phatford Heroes on the Water Staff Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Anahiem Posts: 176	Thank you Yes I kind of thought about having it wider but I am dumb enough to keep bumping into anything sticking out all the time and since the rack will always be on the car... I think I have to go with whatever fits... I did go to the Thule website and believe it or not Today they changed it and discontinued the one I thought I was going to buy and they added prices to the website which is cool... ha ha The problem with their fit guide is that it is strictly for the car.... I wanted to know what worked for our style kayaks too.... I guess there isn't a huge difference? I think I am set on buying the aero bars and the kayak mounts that tilt the kayak. I can't see any real difference in the bases? Again thank you guys you helped me out a lot.