kayak rack technology ....

[kittynh]

My elderly neighbor likes to kayak, but she can't lift the kayak onto the top of her Subaru. While the Subaru isn't tall, it's too tall for her. She has to depend on someone else. So far, the only thing I can find for her is a very expensive rack lifter elevator from Thule. I should think there would be a simple pully system or something that could help.

She's willing to go for the expensive thule elevator, but I should think there would be something cheaper and indeed better.

Any suggestions?

 

[Hamradioguy]

Firetrucks often have hinged devices to swing ladders, suction hoses and Folda-tanks from up on high down to waist level. These aren't cheap, but then she doesn't need something quite as robust.
Talk to Earl at VTEC in Williamstown, VT and ask him for ideas. He designed firetrucks for Maxim Motors and is a savvy guy. Bet he'd have some suggestions.

 

[Soapy Sam]

Dig a hole in her garden. 4 feet deep, seven wide, 20 long. Install a ramp.
Drive Subaru into hole.
The roof is now at ground level. Place Kayak on roof.
Drive out.

May also be used as a paddling pool.

That will be $ 99.99 consultancy fee. No sales tax in NH.

Serious answer...(thinks)... How about building a timber frame of the right height to hold the boat at car roof level? The boat gets pushed in at ground level and the frame is then pulled upright by a rope run over the car roof and pulled up with a ratchet come-along.
If the frame is made so it comes apart, she could take it with her and reassemble it at the lake to get the boat back on the car.

Better yet would be some way to use the car itself to do it.

How about a wood ramp with some rollers, that lets the boat be driven under?
Ramp fits over hood and windshield, reaching almost to ground a few feet ahead of the car.
Keel of boat is pushed into ramp. Rear of boat is wedged. Car moves forward slowly, pushing boat up ramp onto rollers on roof. rope is then used to pull boat back to horixontal position on roof. Remove ramp. The ramp could be two aluminium tubes with a bit of grease on them to let the boat slide on easily.

 

[casebro]

Soapy, how is she going to transport the ramp to the lake?

Kitty, try looking for 'canoe' or 'boat' racks. Possible 'self loading' or 'winch'. I'd think some generic rack would be cheaper than Thule.

Or maybe all she needs is a step stool or a folding saw horse to put one end up on, then load the other onto the car, then load the step stool end, toss the stool into the trunk...

 

[kittynh]

yeah, a step stool is good, but shes getting on in years. But I think we might be able to rig something up....

 

[ReFLeX]

My elderly neighbor likes to kayak, but she can't lift the kayak onto the top of her Subaru. While the Subaru isn't tall, it's too tall for her. She has to depend on someone else. So far, the only thing I can find for her is a very expensive rack lifter elevator from Thule. I should think there would be a simple pully system or something that could help.

She's willing to go for the expensive thule elevator, but I should think there would be something cheaper and indeed better.

Any suggestions?

Build a lake behind the house.

...sorry.

 

[Soapy Sam]

Soapy, how is she going to transport the ramp to the lake?

Like I said, it has to be built so it can be disassembled, stuffed in the car (or on the roof) and reassembled on site. I said timber, but you might use pvc pipe. If she can't lift a canoe, she presumably can't handle two hydraulic truck jacks.

Maybe best if she joins a kayak club with big strapping lads.

How about a low trailer she can hitch to the car?