When I transported my 9'6" kayak, I put down my front seat, let it hang out the rear by less than a foot and tied down the hatch. Now I'm buying a 12'6" Old Town kayak and am thinking I'll do the same but support it at the rear by constructing a "T-type" bar attached to a 1 1/4" hitch. I'm going to construct it myself using perforated metal bars and save, I think, hundreds of dollars rather than buy a roof rack. Has anyone done this? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

Roofrack...Looks better and probably a lot safer, opening, even partially your rear hatch door can impede with your vision and the aerodynamics of your ryde.. A few extra bennies, yes..but, in the long run it will payoff for ya'.....

 

Hello I bought an inflatable rack for my ford focus I had for a year before I got my curent Jeep Liberty which I currently use a rack on.
However if I end up buying a Fit I intend to go back to using the inflatable rack. Worked fine for 17' canoe and my 12' sit-on-top kayak. Now I have a 17' kayak which I'm sure would look interesting on a Fit.
One reason for the inflatable is that when you're not using it you don't have a rack on top decreasing you gas milage. You can blow it up by mouth but I prefer using my ac plug in tire inflator.
Amazon.com: MALONE HandiRack Inflatable Roof Rack: Sports & Outdoors

 

don't you smell exhaust when the hatch is open? could put you to sleep on even short drives, just get a rack

 

i would do a roof rack too if i was into boards and kayaks.

dont you worry that you can't lock your car while the kayak is in there?

 

Security and exhaust fumes all point to a roof rack.

 

OK. I realized the foolishnes of my money-saving idea and scoured craigslist for a Yakima rack. Picked up a rack with two bike carriers, watersport package, plus ski holders (I don't ski) for an amazing $150. I think I saved about $400 even after buying hte correct Q clips for my Fit. (But man you should have seen the cool T-bar thing I sketched out!) Thanks all.

 

Good concept - wrong application.

A while back I was toying with the idea of a support off the hitch ball to support a platform out the hatch. Small work surface/sleeping platform to use when camping. Will be installing a Curt Hitch next few days - might just revisit that idea. With a hatch tent it could be sweet.

 

Roof rack still sounds the best. But that's a big thing to have up top as well.

 

sounds like you bought a "hot" rack, if it's too good to be true it probably is
post pics, i always liked racks on fits and even better when they get used

 

Heheh, those static display "look at me" racks always cracked me up.
Cool = compromised aerodynamics + wind noise

 

The rack's not "hot." I met the guy who just had another kid and bought a new car. Sat down had a nice talk with him and family. Not looking for a "look at me" rack. Just trying to transport my stuff. I just remembered why I don't post to forums. See ya.

 

didnt mean to make you cry, just telling others to be careful as i wouldn't want to support thiefs and give them a reason to keep it up
you're right you don't post you only have three posts and they are all in this thread
probably never see ya - lol

 

mrjohneel, my comment wasn't directed to you... just a general statement on many racks I've seen... it becomes part of the car.

 

Re the Malone Inflatable Roof Racks: not a good idea. I looked at the Malone inflatable racks too, but, according to Malone, they are not suitable for use with vehicles fitted with side curtain air bags.

 

LOL.... That is priceless... Yet so true.

Well played.