Hi All and a big thanks for letting me join your group. I just purchased my first Kayak, an Ocean Prowler, 13' 4" Angler. My problems was that I had not given thought to how I was going to move it from point A to B in my little Nissan Frontier with the crew cab and a very short bed (about 7" with the tailgate down). I was in enough trouble with the wife after spending over $900 on the yak and assorted goodies to go with it, so, my spending had to be at a minimum. Well, for about $50, I came up with the following, as seen in the photos below. Spax screws were used to assemble the 2 x 4's which were covered with nool poodles (the most expensive part of the project). Then came some indoor/outdoor carpet and about 1,000 staples to hold it on. All I can say is that it works great. The only thing left is to get it in the water and get some slime on it!!
A look from the bottom as the carpet was being stapled on....
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm16 ... bbdqn3.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Carpet mostly stapled on.........
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm16 ... gjo9rp.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Standing up in the shop to get it out of the way, this is before I put the hooks on the sides for straps........
http://s296.photobucket.com/user/roland ... d.jpg.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]
Leaned against a rafter in my shop (this thing is 12' long), just to get it out of the way. You can see how the carpet acts like a hammock to hold the hull........
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm16 ... kiayjd.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A view from the bottom. The noodles are lower in the center to allow the sides to contact support.......
http://s296.photobucket.com/user/roland ... y.jpg.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]
This is it strapped into the bed of the truck. If the cantilever support past the tailgate needs support in the future, I can run supports from the last cross member to the bumper........
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm16 ... unxv37.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Some left over noodle to protect the nose of the boat and my truck (the sticker has no political connotations, of course)......
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm16 ... re8w9i.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Overkill is my trademark. This yak wouldn't come out if I rolled the truck!..........
I'm almost 70 and can't wait to get this baby in the water!! More to come.
I noticed that the photos won't display and I don't have any way to make them smaller, maybe you can cut and paste the URL and see them from there. Sorry, I'm still learning.
Roland
