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Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier

$159.89
$199.95^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 20%

(7)

Item # 737629

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This complete Thule 1-kayak carrier combines the Hydro Glide and Set-To-Go Saddles in one package.

Smooth loading is achieved with low-friction, felt-lined Hydro Glide saddles
Maximum kayak support and hull conformance is provided by large, adjustable Set-To-Go saddles
Carrier transfers easily from vehicle to vehicle with universal hardware
Fits round, square and most factory bars
Sold as a complete carrier for one boat
Includes 1 pair of ratcheting tie downs and 2 straps with buckle protectors

Please note: Thule products cannot be shipped to Canadian addresses.

Made in USA.

Item 737629

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Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier

4.0

(based on 7 reviews)

86%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to install (5)
Easy to use (4)
Stable (3)

Cons

Best Uses

- Was this a gift?:
- No (3)

Reviewed by 7 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-7

Apr

2013

4.0

Great piece of equipment

By Nomad418

from Pittsburgh, PA

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Large Cars
Station Wagons
SUV's

Comments about Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier:

I like the slide and glide, especially since I have a tandem kayak. It makes one-person loading possible. It's a little tough since my car is a sedan and I've got to protect the trunk as I set up for loading.

Comment on this review

Jun

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Like it!

By kathiesb

from Wilton, CT

About Me Beginner

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Luxury Cars

Comments about Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier:

With a thick blanket or towel to protect the trunk, I can independently load and unload my 17 foot kayak on my Lexus sedan. With the hydro-glide on the back, I can keep the kayak tipped up until I easily slide it forward enough to lower it onto the front set-to-go saddles. The two straps secure it onto the crossbars and the front and rear ties with the rachets add confidence that it's not moving. I use a Wheelez cart to keep it from scraping on the ground while loading and unloading. I had my husband "spot me" the first few times I did it to make sure my kayak didn't fall or scrape anywhere, but now I'm fine alone.

Comment on this review

Apr

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Works well but kayak rubs on SUV ...

By ZachE1

from Montgomery County, PA

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Stable

Cons

Doesn't lock to car

Best Uses

Comments about Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier:

Works well but kayak rubs on SUV during loading/unloading unless precautions are taken. The Thule model 883 Glide and Set Kayak Carrier works as advertised. The kayak slides very easily on the carpeted rear carriers, and then is kept from sliding by the rubber pads on the front carriers. The kayak carrier fits on my Subaru Forester's factory-installed crossbars, saving the expense of buying Thule crossbars.

However, depending on the size and shape of your vehicle, and the location of the rear crossbar relative to the end of your vehicle, your kayak may rub against the rear upper edge of your roof/liftgate during solo loading/unloading of your kayak.

To protect your vehicle and your kayak during loading/unloading, you may need to buy an additional product such as the Thule Water Slide Protective Pad or an Oak Orchard "SUV Kayak Roller Loader" or other type of roller-loader. Other Thule kayak carriers (Thule Roll Model and Thule SlipStream XT) may do a better job of keeping the kayak clear of your vehicle during loading/unloading, but they are much more expensive, and do not fit on car manufacturer's factory-installed crossbars.

The Thule 883 kayak carrier does not lock to the cross bars, and can be easily removed (or stolen) in minutes. For that reason alone, I am downgrading my rating from 5 stars to 4 stars.

Comment on this review

Jul

2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Works great

By wisconsingirl

from ...currently...Western Kentucky

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier:

I bought my first kayak this year after many years of wanting one. I looked into different types of kayak carriers and figured this one would be stable and sturdy. To my relief I was right. I have a 12 foot L.L.Bean Calypso. Initially installing the kayak carrier took approximately one hour (moving bars, kayak, and saddles to line up correctly with only one person takes a while. Imagine walking around your vehicle multiple times to loosen and tighten, move and adjust everything).

There is no locking mechanism for carrier or kayak. For this reason when I am finished using it I take off the driver side front and back saddles and leave the passenger ones. If someone wants to steal half a kayak carrier then good for them. Leaving the passenger side aides in easier installation. It takes me on average 10-15 minutes of load time which includes lowering the kayak out of the rafters in the garage and walking it to the vehicle.
I take my kayak out about 2-3 times a week and drive 20-30 minutes away. Top speeds I've reached has been 60-65mph on the road. Not once have I ever felt unsafe driving with my kayak on top. I drive a Subaru Forester and the factory bars work perfectly. I am very happy with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone. Again this Thule does NOT have locks for the carrier or kayak.

Comment on this review

Sep

2008

(5 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Not great compared to other options

By HikingJen

from Mountain View, CA

About Me Recreational User

See all my reviews

Pros

Was on sale

Cons

Awkward
Not Durable
Not Functional

Best Uses

Kayaking

Comments about Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier:

Over the years with different vehicles and boats, I have tried the Yakima saddles, j-cradles, pool tubes, and these Thules. I was very disappointed with these. I had to buy something new and saw these on sale. The back slider glides stand up in the wrong orientation and occasionally do not tilt correctly on the boat. They also do not lock, like the yakima rollers can lock. The front saddles are thick rubber and do not allow for easy sliding. The yakima saddles are hard plastic and the boat slides very well over them. I thought the custom adjustments in the front slides might be really nice for a tighter fit, however it doesn't help, and feels cheap as it clicks loudly into place. My boat does not have a good fit on these and I will be returning them today. I have a 13.5 foot sit on top kayak. I will be getting the yakima saddles/rollers instead.

Comment on this review

Oct

2007

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Easy to install & convenient

By Summer Lovin

from Acworth, GA

About Me Weekend Warrior

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to install

Cons

expensive

Best Uses

Outdoors
Sports

Comments about Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier:

I use this Thule carrier for my 12.5 ft kayak without a problem at all. They are super easy to install on the load bars and stay put once installed. Keep in mind though that this carrier does not allow the kayak to "roll" onto the carrier...you must place the kayak on the carriers and then strap it down.

Comment on this review

Sep

2007

(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Smooth and easy.

By Michael from Maryland

from Maryland, USA

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Thoughtfully designed
Well Constructed

Cons

cost

Best Uses

Comments about Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier:

The set works great, no doubt about it.

The only drawback is the cost --

When you've just shelled out the cheddar for the roof bars, paying out again has a bit of an aftertaste.