Customer Reviews

Yakima LandShark Rooftop Kayak Carrier

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would have given this a much higher rating than two stars simply for the fact that it was misleading.
The description made you believe that it would fit all luggage racks, but when I got them I tried to install them on my pt cruiser's factory racks and found out that the clamps where made for either a square or a round rack. If you wanted to make them fit on my racks it would cost me more to order the special clips made for this type.
I'm sure it's a great product, if you have the right stuff to mount it on. However I think the description was misleading.
I'll have to say though that the return was really easy. Backcountry was the company who sold it through Amazon and they were great in exchanging for the Thule that was about ten bucks more expensive, but had a universal mounting system that works great onf my car.

Great product! As described! Fast shipping awesome fit for my ocean kayak. Sits high on my Yakima racks. Low noise level, holds my yak tight with ratchet straps with no movement.

Before I purchased and installed these saddles, my Tarpon 140 used to slide across the bars on top of my van every time I took a sharp corner. I often thought of ways to keep it from sliding without having to slow down to a crawl. Living in the Ozarks, the highways around here have plenty of sharp turns. I had to pull the bow and stern tie down straps so tight, that the yak was actually buckling under the pressure, yet it would still slide. After installing the LandShark Saddles, I have no problems with the yak sliding around. I no longer have to tighten the tie downs to the point of disforming my yak. These Saddles did the exact thing that I was looking for. They keep my yak centered on my van where I want it to be. Even while taking the turns at normal speed. I would strongly recommend these LandShark Saddles to anyone who is not wanting to launch their yak off the side of their vehicle while taking a corner.

had a little bit of difficulty mounting this to my non-standard crossbars, but i didn't knock the rating for that. it DID fit, just took some work. it would mount much easier to actual thule or yakima bars. holds my kayak very securely without crushing it. had some bad trouble with wind noise from the ratchet straps, but this is easily fixed by wrapping the excess strap around the tightened and exposed part of the strap so that it won't vibrate in the wind. again...not the product's fault, just a heads-up. i can see where using the hully-roller saddle on the rear would be beneficial for some people, especially those of shorter stature with taller cars, but i honestly didn't have any major problems sliding it across the rear saddle to load/unload it. my mom uses the same system and does need the hully-roller though, so your mileage may vary. I definitely could not lift it up and over from the side to get it on though, and I'm 6'1 loading it onto the relatively short ford escape.