Alright, so I’ve been meaning to get my canoe out on the water more often, but the whole process of getting it on top of my SUV was such a pain. I finally decided to bite the bullet and get a proper canoe rack. I did a bit of digging online, looking at different brands like Yakima and Thule – you know, the usual suspects.
Choosing the Right Rack
Honestly, I wasn’t even sure where to start. There are so many options out there! I knew I wanted something sturdy and reliable, but also something that wouldn’t be a huge hassle to install or use. After reading a bunch of reviews, I narrowed it down to a few models that seemed to fit the bill.
The Installation Process
I ended up going with a Yakima rack. Seemed like a good balance of quality and price. When the package arrived, I laid out all the parts and skimmed through the instructions. It looked a little intimidating at first, I won’t lie. But I decided to just take it one step at a time.
- First, I assembled the crossbars. That was pretty straightforward, just a matter of attaching a few pieces together.
- Next, I mounted the towers to my SUV’s roof rails. This part took a bit more fiddling, but I managed to get them secured in place.
- Then came the tricky part – attaching the canoe saddles to the crossbars. It took some adjusting to get them positioned just right. I really had to tighten those bolts down to make sure everything was snug and secure.
Loading the Canoe
With the rack all set up, it was time for the moment of truth – getting the canoe up there. My canoe’s not exactly lightweight, so I enlisted the help of my neighbor, old man, to lift the darn thing onto the rack. It was a bit of a struggle, but we finally managed to hoist it up and strap it down using the provided straps.
First Trip
I was a little nervous driving with the canoe on top for the first time, but it held up great! I took it slow and steady, and everything stayed put. Felt like a champ, cruising down the highway with my canoe secured up top. Finally made it to the lake, and unloading was a breeze compared to the old way I used to do it.
I have to say that a winter canoe trip is unique. Winter water level is high, so you can paddle anywhere you want to go.
Having a proper canoe rack has made a world of difference. It’s so much easier to transport my canoe now, and I’m looking forward to many more adventures on the water. If you’re a fellow canoe enthusiast, I definitely recommend investing in a good rack. It’s a game-changer!
All in all, this is a nice try for me, and maybe it is useful for you guys.
