Lifting, loading and carrying a kayak seems to be one of the biggest concerns women have when they're getting into the sport. One of the first questions that women often ask me is: 'Can I carry a kayak by myself? Can I load it onto my car?' Using the right technique it is possible to lift, carry and load your own boat. It may take some practice, but for a lot of women this is a plausible goal. Even if the kayak feels heavy at first and awkward to carry, the more you practice the easier it gets because you'll be building strength and stamina. My advice is to accept that it won't feel easy and natural the first time you try it. Give it some time.

On the other hand, there are women who feel that the boats are too heavy and some women have physical limitations that don't allow them to even attempt to carry a kayak. That's ok because there is quite a bit of technology designed to make lugging your boat around easier. For example, you can get special kayak roof-racks with rollers that make loading boats onto a vehicle manageable for even one person; and kayak carts that work more or less on the same principle as a wheelbarrow to help you get your kayak along the ground and into the water. I'll discuss proper technique for carrying kayaks as well as these different alternatives in this article.

Installing Feel Free Kayak Stand Up Bar Plans

Stand-up paddling has become a popular sport, but paddle boards have been around for over 3,000 years. Contemporary boards rely on modern materials to make light and reliable paddle boards suited for leisure, as well as for competition. Watch the process of a fiberglass SUP being made.

Lifting and Carrying

The LURE II can be easily tip over if you are not paying attention to your center of mass. My wife wants me to remove the front stand up bar, stating that it only gets in the way and does not add to the stability of the Kayak. On a side note: my concern was if my wife fell overboard, she would grab the stand up bar and flip the boat.
The Inno 446 is a locking rack for all kinds of watercraft. Carry 2 Stand-Up Paddle Boards, 1 kayak, 1 canoe, 2 windsurf boards, 3 short surfboards or 2 longboards on your existing car roof rack. It has universal hardware that mounts quickly on all types of car roof racks, including: Inno, Thule, Yakima, and most factory cross bars.

Feel Free Kayak Stand Up Bar

Kayaks, especially rec and touring kayaks, come in many different sizes and weights, ranging from 40 to 80 lbs (18-36 kg). Kayaks that are designed for purely recreational purposes tend to be smaller and lighter, while touring/sea kayaks tend to be heavier.

Installing Feel Free Kayak Stand Up Bars

The most efficient way to lift and carry shorter, lighter boats is to pick up the kayak and lift it onto one shoulder. Begin by standing with the kayak on the ground on edge against your shins with the cockpit facing out. Bend your knees and place both hands on the edge of the cockpit closest to your chest. Slide the kayak up onto your thighs while keeping your knees bent. Once the kayak is resting on your thighs take your right hand and grasp the opposite side of the cockpit rim. As you stand up lift the right side of the cockpit rim up and onto your shoulder. Let the rim rest on your shoulder. Position the kayak comfortably on your shoulder so that it feels balanced and you can walk without the boat hitting the ground at either end.