Hobie Cat Forums

Hey guys, just purchased 2012 Tandem Island and was wondering if there a cheap way to transport it. I thought about maybe building a small rack on top of my jeep wrangler. Or just build like a t bar going up on the back of my jeep and rest the mail hull on top of it and the front on top of my windshield.
Is it even possible?? Or am I better off just buying a trailer? Was trying to avoid that since they are pretty pricey.

Kommy000,

A t bar from your trailer hitch and a pool noodle across your windshield would work. With the top down real easy to tie off to the roll bars.

Just remember to tie the nose to the front bumper. Don't rely on straps in the center. I have had sever problems with weather cocking in a cross wind.

While not cheep, on my last two jeeps use Garvin Industries Wilderness roof rack. At first, I used pool noodles for the Ocean kayak, Hobie Adventure and surfboards.
After getting an Adventure Island bought the Hobie cradles and zip tie the cradles to the rack.

After time if you want the kayak off your windshield a light bar up front should be enough in conjunction with your t bar.

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Thanks for a quick response.
How hard it is to get the TI off and on top of the jeep. I know it says that the main hull about 90lbs so its not real heavy, but how akward is it?

Haven't tried the TI but have pushed a fully rigged AI minus sail atop the jeep with help.
I have done the hull one person with a stop on the spare tire. It not the weight just the bulk.

Used the scupper cart to get close to the back bumper.
Rolled the kayak to remove the cart.
Put a towel under the stern.
Lift the nose to the spare tire.
Check the towel.
Lift the nose to the cradle.
Lift the tail of the kayak and push.

Off is easy. Just pull the kayak back until you are that the center of gravity and balance on your head.
It is easy to lower from your head if you keep the carrying handles installed but I removed the port and starboard handles to reduce the splashing.

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Could I suggest Kommy that you use the 'SEARCH' feature within the forum. Over the years this topic has been researched and discussed extensively for both TI and AI with many different designs to suit different vehicles and different storage situations.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

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Nice setup on your trail basket. I see that you reinforced it with your bike rack, guess it is tied in to your trailer hitch.

Here is the Hobie cradles on a Garvin Rack.



The aka bars are in the cockpit and everything else is tossed in the back of the jeep.

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That's a nice set up also.
I take it that you don't have a problem hoisting the kayak up there from the ground ?

Have you had any problems with the forward rack mount where it bolts to the windshield frame?

I had my gusset plates on both sides crack through the mounting holes from the stress of the rack moving forward and back while driving with a load on it.
I had to have another 1/4 inch plate welded on it to double up the thickness along with adding the additional conduit strap near the top of the windshield to stop it from flexing.

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Glad you like it.

This is my second Jeep with a Garvin rack. I haven't had any cracking up front on either.
There aren't any modifications or reinforcements other than what I got from Garvin. I did get it spray coated with a harder knock-off version of Rhino liner.
Did have a problem with the trail/tailgate rack on the last jeep. Had the tailgate sag when fuel and water cans were mounted so I went without the tailgate rack.

I don't have any problems lifting the hull and then tossing all the pieces in separately and it is nice not having to worry about a trailer.

That is until I get a roof top tent and then I need a trailer for the kayak.... or get a trailer tent, then keep the kayak on the roof ... with the possibilities of bears in the tent trailer.

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Palm trees?? Laua'e ferns?? Fly4v, are you on Oahu and not telling me??

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

Sorry NOHUHU but I am not on Oahu or any of the other 200+ islands in the chain.
Sent my wife to Hawaii while I went to the dirt.
If I was, I'd be shopping at City Mill, not Lowe's and Ace Hardware, and I'd be all over your T3 and AI with TI ama projects.

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Has anyone put either an AI or TI above a trailer tent?

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... -AT-Chaser

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Lol. I know where this jeep is parked!! In front of the office at Colony at the Peninsula, in Hawaii Kai. I own one of those units in building 7. What a small world.

Nice place to live with the resident marina membership.
The only problem was couldn't drive into the carpark with the kayak on top. It fit in the garage just not through the entrance??? so jeep+kayak was parked by the office/pool when not no the water.

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Yep. I know the feeling. We tried to get them to build a storage facility for kayaks, OC's' and SUP's down by the water. I kept my water toys in a storage unit by Costco. They were also on the water but cost 500 dollars a month