YAKIMADeckHand Roof Mounted Boat Rack for Vehicles, One Size Set of Mounts

After having just purchased my first kayak, the outfitter recommended and sold me foam blocks and tied the bow down to my hood latch (plus a roof rack). It worked well enough on the interstate, but when I got home I noticed the foam was squishing and oil-canning my new boat. I found and bought two pairs of these Deckhands, and they work great. I have a small sedan and I can load the boat myself by sliding it onto the car from the rear. The foam pads (you have to install them yourself) are slippery enough to slide the boat. When you strap it down, a little rubber hand in the middle of the pad grabs onto the boat which then prevents it from sliding.The arms of the cradles are plastic and look flimsy as hell, but they actually act as a suspension for the kayak, so they're designed to squish a little and absorb road forces. They work great. I haven't figured out the little sliders that hold excess strap slack, but i was in a hurry. After a few more trips I should be able to load my boat by myself relatively quickly. The included bow and stern lines are nice too because they dont place too much tension on the ends of the boat but will keep it from catching air or sliding off and are easy to install quickly with the hook. Reading the pdf manual on Yakima's web site is what sold me. You can see how they work that way.I would also recommend the SKS locks (i got a pack of 8) otherwise it's too easy to steal these and you wont want to realign them every time. The other option is just removing your bars if you have somewhere to put them.

I have had kayaks for better than 30 years and have used all kinds of methods to hold them on the car top. I bought these Yakima Mounts with some concern since I read in a review that they get crushed. This first time I used them I saw what the writer was describing and was disappointed. Then I realized that the crushing characteristic allowed me to tighten down on my cinch straps pretty seriously snug. I found that this compression mechanism actually improved the tension on the kayak and allowed it to travel better since the compression pushed back against the straps. I was very happy with the resulting improved security of the kayak.A second reviewer complaint was of a design flaw regarding induced torque on the cross bar because these being positioned off center over the cross bar. When I put them on I observed just that. Then I realized that I could position the mounts so that the off center overhang worked in my favor. That is, I swapped left to right and right to left. Now the off center overhang was on the side of the bar over the car roof, rather than toward the back of the car. In paying attention to which direction the overhang was positioned. I actually reduced the torque in my favor. Again I was happy with the improved positioning of the kayak.Bottom line ... I really like these things. The kayak slides onto the rack easily. The mounts grip well. They offer good wide support, and I can cinch the kayak down real tight so that it rides completely securely. I definitely would buy these Yakima kayak mounts again. In fact I just did for an additional kayak on my car roof top. Of course buying kayak mounts is like buying shoes. Not all shoes fit all feet.

Delivered expeditiously and as advertised.

Does not fit Thule Xsporter Pro bars, at least not well. They will attach, the mount length is plenty wide enough for the 4 inch bars, it's the 1.5 inch bar height or thickness that is the problem. The mount fits the rounded end nicely but the squared end is just a little too loose. It's close but just not quite there. Tried with and without the removable rubber piece and cranked as tight as I dared. Either way I was able to lift up on the end of the mount and slide the mount off of the bar. If you choose to use them like that be careful!!!I ordered these to replace an old Yakima Hulley Roller and Yakima Mako Saddle combination. I've been using that combo for over 10 years, with the last several years mounted on the Xsporter bars using Yakima Mighty Mounts so I *really* wanted these to work along with the Handrolls (basically the same combo) as they are super easy to load. Can't use the Makos or Hulleys anymore as the gray material has degraded (known issue with those) to the point (spongy mush!) where they are no longer usable.

Easy installation on truck roof. great compliment to the rollers for loading kayaks

works perfectly with the Yakima Handroll Kayak Rack

I've used this product for years, and so this is an additional order. I think it's the best option for older people loading a heavy kayak onto the roof of a car. The mounting clamp is more convenient than the older model.

Have worked fine until weather got hot. The Deckhand just collapses in the heat loosening the straps. Even a little tension on the straps is a problem. Has rendered my $1500 Yakima Overhaul system useless.