DIY kayak lift assist? Hullavator? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jruiz · 08-09-2017, 03:44 PM

I would first conclude whether in fact you were able to go side by side with roller saddle. That would be the most economical.

DIY a hullavator may not be as easy as you think. There are gas springs incorporated in the design. You would probably need to do it with aluminum or stainless if you wanted it to last.

oredith · 08-09-2017, 03:54 PM

from the videos, it wasn't very apparent how much the gas struts really help.

My thinking is that if i was able to uniformly load the kayak on the side of the car at my chest level, i would be able to pivot the weight of the kayak up pretty easily vs. essentially doing a military press. The gas struts would be good to dampen it on the way down. I still have about 30 gas struts from past projects that I can use

current thinking is maybe going to one of my job sites and get some unistruts from my electrical contractor, and use them for a sub-frame and using a roller caster (something like this)to slide the piece on and off the top.

Croaker Dave · 08-09-2017, 05:44 PM

I can get two kayaks side by side on my Subaru roof using Hully Rollers on the back, saddles on the front, and crossbars that are wider than the car roof.

Dave Legacy · 08-09-2017, 06:13 PM

I can relate to this! The day I got my kayak my wife was helping me unload it and it accidentally got dropped on her head. It was a rough start, but with time and experience you'll develop a method that works for you. Try not to let your first few attempts discourage you.

08-09-2017, 03:44 PM	#1
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,011	I would first conclude whether in fact you were able to go side by side with roller saddle. That would be the most economical. DIY a hullavator may not be as easy as you think. There are gas springs incorporated in the design. You would probably need to do it with aluminum or stainless if you wanted it to last.

08-09-2017, 03:54 PM	#2
oredith Junior Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 29	from the videos, it wasn't very apparent how much the gas struts really help. My thinking is that if i was able to uniformly load the kayak on the side of the car at my chest level, i would be able to pivot the weight of the kayak up pretty easily vs. essentially doing a military press. The gas struts would be good to dampen it on the way down. I still have about 30 gas struts from past projects that I can use current thinking is maybe going to one of my job sites and get some unistruts from my electrical contractor, and use them for a sub-frame and using a roller caster (something like this)to slide the piece on and off the top.

08-09-2017, 05:44 PM	#3
Croaker Dave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: OC Posts: 171	I can get two kayaks side by side on my Subaru roof using Hully Rollers on the back, saddles on the front, and crossbars that are wider than the car roof.

08-09-2017, 06:13 PM	#4
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	I can relate to this! The day I got my kayak my wife was helping me unload it and it accidentally got dropped on her head. It was a rough start, but with time and experience you'll develop a method that works for you. Try not to let your first few attempts discourage you.