FS Digest

I’m looking to get into a pedal driven fishing kayak but I’m concerned about the weight. I have a 4 runner that has a 6’6 height. I’m a young in shape guy but I do worry that at 105 lbs the PA12 may be too heavy for one person to get on a large SUV.

Anyone have experience with this or thoughts on it? I looked at a Old Town Sportsman but they’re all sold out. Having difficulty finding something that is in stock and high quality - I have a month long trip planned for the end of May and I’d like to have something before then.

I’m open to other brands / suggestions - I just want something that has pedals, can easily mount a fish finder, and can be put on a SUV by one person.

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by puckluck122

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

If you are strong and steady, cartopping a heavy kayak as mentioned can be done...but please be very careful when loading alone. I have loaded canoes and kayaks for the past 4 decades, intermittently by myself, and it is no picnic. Having assistance is the way to go if at all possible! Eventually, and I say this with kindness, no matter how stout you are there is a risk of injury that could set you aside from activity with just one slip up. Shoulder and back injuries can happen at any age when the circumstances are not in your favor.

Although I still cartop, but rarely alone anymore, I tend to rely on a small trailer these days to make things much simpler.

I highly recommend a rack product from Yakima called a "hully roller". Basically a pair of rollers mounted at one end of a roof rack and the other end of the rack will have a pair of suitable cradles. You can then "roll" the kayak up and start letting the roof hold the weight while you just push. Still takes strength and agility but can be doable. You might consider having a small "step stool" type device handy to get your leverage higher, but be careful not to fall off it in the process.

Another rolling device that is handy comes from the folks at Malone. It is a dual suction cup mount that you just attach during load/unload. The "flatter" your window the better it adheres under weight. I find that by pressing down on each cup while attaching I get the most secure latch on. Of course make sure the glass is clean before attaching it.

My wife and I spent 6 weeks last Summer in Michigan's Upper Peninsula camping, kayaking, fishing, etc. and we cartopped 2 kayaks. During that 6 weeks I paddled over 80 times in many different places...half of them being alone so I relied on the Malone device quite heavily. My kayak weighs 75 lbs...so much lighter than your intended model. I did not have the Yakima hully rollers on that trip...just the Malone device. I have the hully Rollers on my small trailer, as pictured below. Sometimes I use a small towel or blanket on the roof as well to help protect the paint job and also allow for some sliding action if needed.

Best regards and I hope that you have good luck securing a pedal kayak that you will enjoy for many years to come!

Yakima "hully roller" in trailer mount position


side view of the mechanism - each unit has small locking tab/level


Malone roller for temporary rear window mounting - works great

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

Check out the Thule Hullavator. They’ve not cheap but cheaper than an injury.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

I believe that Yakima also offers a similar "side load" device, and they do work well! You need to be able to get your kayak up at about a chest high level to get into the cradle yokes, which could be done on one end first...and then foist the other end of the kayak into it's rest.

As already spoken...the seemingly high cost of rack systems pales in comparison to the cost of an injury...both from a dollar sense as well as time to recover with physical therapy.

Be sure to check your local "used" market for those types of racks. It seems like folks are always getting out of a sport and you could be the next owner of a great rack system! Utube would show some of these rack styles in use.

Elefantdude Loc: Oxnard, CA

I have 3 Hobie Revolutions and the are the lightest between the Hobie Outback and Hobie PA. I used to hoist it on my Subaru Forester on my fishing adventures until I got a pickup truck. I now use the bed of the pickup truck. Most of my friends who have a Hobie PA have purchased a small trailer for them. Easier to load and transport.
How big/tall are you? Have you considered the Revolutions or Compass, which is another option?

Bohanan66 Loc: Ohio

I have an 85 pound Old Town Sportsman PDL 12 feet that I lift onto my Ford Focus sedan. I am 73 and have had no accidents. Yet. I have a Malone cradle rack that straps onto the car and has suctioning also.

FishMonger20 Loc: Michigan/Pennsylvania

I use the Rhino Rack T Loader (can see video on youtube) which works great for my Hobie Pro Angler 12 or my Old Town PDL 120 onto my Subaru Outback. The height adjustment of the T bar for your vehicle will work out very nicely for you. It is worth the $300 and can get at at Etrailer.com

Kayakfishing Loc: Crystal river fl

I have the Hobie PA. Use to load in back of truck. But finally broke down and bought a jet ski trailer. Works great ! Very happy I did it. 😎