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Yakima Bowdown
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Yakima Bowdown

Item # 767989

$179.00

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

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Taking J-cradles to the next level, the Yakima Bowdown has all the features you've been looking for in a kayak rack!

  • Cradle arms fold down when not in use—now you don't have to worry about those parking garages with limited clearance
  • Accepts virtually all hull shapes; cradles and protects your kayak with soft pads
  • Because kayak is propped up on its side, it leaves more space on your crossbars for other gear
  • Custom mounting hardware fits most aftermarket and factory installed racks
  • Locks to crossbar with SKS locking system, sold separately
  • Includes heavy-duty straps with padded buckles for secure transport; also includes bow and stern tie-down straps

Yakima Racks

Imported.

Item 767989

Yakima Bowdown Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Yakima Bowdown
 
3.0

(based on 6 reviews)

50%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Functional (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Kayaking (6)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Recreational user (4)

    Reviewed by 6 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-6

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    Jun

    24

    2008

    (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Simple, solid solution for factory racks

    By JMS in Michigan

    from Milan, Michigan

    About Me Beginner

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Compact
    • Easy Install
    • Easy To Use

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Kayaking
      • See car from far away

      Comments about Yakima Bowdown:

      Installed 2 pairs on my Ford Escape very easily and I can get into my tiny garage with no problem. Boats load easily, straps/ties are intuitive to use, and running down the highway I felt everything was very stable and secure. Instructions provided are clear but you hardly need them. Double-check the box when you buy; it says online that bow/stern lines are sold separately but I could swear mine purchased in May 08 included hull straps for each cradle plus the bow/stern lines. Check before spending more anyway...maybe this is a new development. Also, I bought the Yakima cable lock system and the SRS locks for each BowDown cradle, securing them to the crossbar. If you do this, make sure you get the same key numbers for all of these and plan ahead for other Yakima products you may buy. One key for all things Yakima...no fumbling for the right one later!

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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      Sep

      30

      2008

      (3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

       
      2.0

      Not a good buy for the price

      By Naneki-b

      from Lodi, CA

      About Me Recreational User

      Pros

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Kayaking

          Comments about Yakima Bowdown:

          After having to return the mounts several times because the parts were broken I am returning the whole set-up as the bolt to hold it in up-right position has stripped with the third use. Not worth the expense. The unit also whistles at 50MPH and higher when in fold-down position...and it is not a pleasant sound and can be heard above the radio/music. The kayaks stay put and the tie down process is relatively easy.

          • Gift:
          • No

          Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

          (3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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          Jul

          30

          2008

          (3 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

           
          1.0

          not right for me

          By LH

          from TX

          About Me Recreational Rider

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Neat idea

          Cons

          • Not Durable

          Best Uses

          • Kayaking

          Comments about Yakima Bowdown:

          After minimal use during attempted install, one of the J's would no longer lock into position. The screw assembly used for the turn knob must have stripped inside the unit.

          Also, I had great difficulty trying to install the Bowdown on my factory rack. The manual requires that it be in the vertical position when you set your kayak on it. However, the alligator style clamp to attach the unit to the factory rack only tightens on one side. This results in the assembly slowly tilting as you tighten it. The auto-shift waffle blocks help some, but not nearly enough. It was very frustrating and time consuming to try to get this installed properly.

          Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

          (3 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

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          May

          2

          2009

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Works so well I bought another

          By BillyRay

          from Northern Massachusetts

          About Me Recreational User

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Easy on Easy off
          • Functional
          • Kind to kayak

          Cons

          • A little wobbly

          Best Uses

          • Kayaking

          Comments about Yakima Bowdown:

          I installed this on my Honda Odyssey's factory rails in the REI parking lot so I could carry my new kayak home. It was quite easy to do, and I was immediately pleased. After loading and unloading the kayak a couple more times, I decided to purchase another Bow Down.

          I is not "rock solid" but I attribute that to my factory racks rather than anything Yakima did/didn't do.

          The design has the bottom of the "J" protruding a little from the rack, making loading easier. The material is kind to the hull. The fold down feature is great, and I have not had problems as mentioned by another reviewer.

          5 stars implies "perfect" and I am not sure I would call this perfect, but I cannot think of any reason to knock a full star off the rating - so 5 stars it is.

          • Gift:
          • No

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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          Oct

          21

          2009

           
          4.0

          Good product

          By Creek_Addict

          from dawsonville, ga

          About Me Recreational User

          Pros

          • Functional
          • Lightweight

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Kayaking

            Comments about Yakima Bowdown:

            i first put them on my factory rack on my fj cruiser. they weren't rock solid b/c of my factory rack. i installed the yakima racks and they are much better. there is a whistle at high speeds in lay-down position but it isn't that bad. overall it's a pretty good product.

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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            May

            23

            2009

            (0 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

             
            1.0

            HUGE SCRATCH IN MY ROOF!!

            By richardvg03

            from San Diego, CA

            About Me Advanced User

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Compact
            • Functional
            • Rugged

            Cons

            • Dents your truck
            • Scratches your truck

            Best Uses

            • Kayaking

            Comments about Yakima Bowdown:

            I just used this rack today for the first time on my BRAND NEW Toyota Tacoma. While I was sliding the kayak onto my rack it fell [...]causing a pencil sized dent and a scratch all the way to the metal!!! I will be keeping the racks however because they are the best ones I can find that fold down and my truck is very high off the ground. If you buy these be VERY careful!!

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

            (0 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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            Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

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