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Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack

$151.19
$189.00^*

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Item # 767989

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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 parking garages with limited clearance
Accommodates most 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
Universal mounting hardware fits round, square and most factory bars
Includes heavy-duty straps with padded buckles for secure transport; also includes bow and stern tie-down straps
Locks to crossbar with SKS lock core system (sold separately)

Please note: Yakima products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Imported.

Item 767989

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Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack

3.3

(based on 15 reviews)

60%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to use (8)
Durable (6)
Easy to install (6)
Stable (4)
Functional (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Kayak / canoe / rafting (6)
Suv's (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Intermediate (4), Recreational user (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)

Reviewed by 15 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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May

2012

(11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Update on my June 2008 5-star review

By JMS in Michigan

from Milan, Michigan

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Install
Easy To Use

Cons

Unstable
Weak Construction

Best Uses

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

I gave this rack a 5 star rating in 2008. I can no longer support that. We used the same set I reviewed then this holiday weekend to take our kayaks on a 4 hour drive to Northern Michigan. Our commitment to using bow/stern lines is the only thing that saved us from a huge disaster on I-75 in 3 lanes of heavy traffic going at least 70 mph on a rather windy day.

The plastic "T" that forms part of the clamp assembly failed when the T's stripped and the kayak, still strapped to the front Bowdown, flew off and hung at the side of our van. The only thing that kept this from ripping off the back Bowdown and flying back into heavy traffic was our bow/stern lines. We had to put the boat directly on the roof rack to continue (and frankly it rode better there.) We had one more kayak on a 2nd set of Bowdowns and by the time we made the round trip home, we found signs of stress on that set too, as well as an alarming amount of space for the T arm to move horizontally (see photos.) I feel that one more hour of driving would have left us in the same position on the side of the road. Not trusting the second pair after the first failure, we tied them down to the roof rack to give us a little protection. You shouldn't have to do that.

Although we've had these for 4 years, we only use them about 4 times a year. I liked their convenience so much back then that I didn't really consider what a weak point that little plastic T is on the clamp when you have heavy loads running at highway speeds, and in Michigan, often in high crosswinds. The way these rested on the roof rack was always "OK" but they were never perfectly vertical; always a little play in the "universal" fit and even tightly secured, they seemed to wiggle loose in use. That little T is really expected to do a lot. In retrospect, I think this particular part contributes to this being a bad design. When I think of what kind of horrific accident this could have caused in Memorial Day traffic, I'm thankful we take the time for the bow/stern lines. Many people I see don't, but I'll never go 5 miles without them again.

I haven't had time to take both pairs of Bowdowns back to REI but I'm not concerned that I'll have any problems with the return. They're great about that. I just know I don't want new ones; we'll be doing our research and finding another rooftop solution for our boats. I can't trust this product anymore, which is sad. Wish Yakima would have put as much thought into the clamp assembly as they did making Bowdown a nifty (expensive)bottle opener.

If you still own and love this product, that's great! I just strongly recommend using a bow/stern tie down to protect your boats, your car, and the cars/trucks behind you.

Comment on this review

Dec

2011

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

My kayak stayed put in gale winds

By lmlilyrose

from Newport, oregon

About Me Beginner

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Use
Stable

Cons

I'll have to wash the car

Best Uses

Works great on my outback

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

I was very pleased with the ease and speed of installation @REI. The advice given me for all my water sport and camping purchases has been excellent. I am very pleased with all the items I purchased. My kayak only weighs 39 lbs & it's a little awkward getting it up on it's side alone. I'll have to do some weight training.

Comment on this review

Jun

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Get the Thule

By LandP

from Chicagoland

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

We purchased this to carry two kayaks, and to use on two vehicles -- a Ford cargo van and a Subaru outback. They fit pretty well on the Subaru, but on the Yakamia roof rack on the van, we could not get them tight enough to not roll over when loading a kayak. We tighetened so much the lever to tighten with snapped off. Still, the J hook rolled on the bar. I mean, who'd make a round bar on a roof rack? While they were sturdy on the Subaru (the integrated roof rack does *not* have round cross bars), they are difficult to fold down, and would be *really* hard for a lefty to manage. We returned the whole lot and got Thule instead -- much better design, much easier to use, just as sturdy for carrying your boats. BTW, REI was great about the return.

Comment on this review

May

2011

5.0

One year update - all is well

By membersince88

from Southeastern PA

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use

Cons

Best Uses

Small Cars

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

I am very happy with the performance of the Bowdown. A couple tricks to keep in mind: load the straps then push the verticals into position and tighten the red knobs. Lay the straps to the rear and front of the car. I place them under the wiper blades, then position them over the boat hull. Try to keep the straps from twisting and crossing each other. See my post from Jun 6, 2010 for other suggestions.

Comment on this review

Mar

2011

4.0

Best Fold down/up Kayak Rack Yet

By BosG

from MA

About Me Expert

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

SUV's
Trucks

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

I bought the Thule version from the President of Thule at a boat show and they worked out ok the first two times I used them. Then they cracked in two places and also scrathed my roof (using with factory racks). Thule customer service was great and replaced them two times actually for me. I did some research and wish I had before. They yakima bow downs are sooo much better. one big clamp... no fussing with screws and other pieces. No scratching and super easy on and off removal. Had three big boats on my car last year and pushed these racks pretty hard with off roading in pretty nasty conditions and they held up super strong. Much Much better than the Thules.
Highly Recomend these to anyone!!

Comment on this review

Aug

2010

5.0

Excellent Product

By Dreamfallen

from Fort Worth, TX

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

A high quality product. The swiveling issues mentioned below are inherent to any round cross-bar system and are not exclusive to the bow down. I would buy another. Recommended.

Comment on this review

Jun

2010

(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Better than standard , but lacks fit

By DC Mike

from Washington, DC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable

Cons

Hard To Install Or Use
Unstable

Best Uses

SUV's

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

Bought these because I couldn't fit two yaks flat on top of my small SUV, but it liked the fold down which allows leaving them on when not in use without preventing access to parking garages. Unfortunately they do not clamp tight to the cross bars; even when set to minimal slot and tightened frequently they find away to constantly come loose and slide and swivel.

Comment on this review

Jun

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

update to working on whistle

By membersince88

from Southeastern PA

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Any car with a roof rack

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

This is an update to May 22, 2010 posting. Wrapping the crowns with tape to cover the honeycomb holes definitely does the job. No more whistle. The more I use this product the more I like it. Here is another suggestion: Once the kayak is on each "J" the awesome grip of the rubber will present a problem if one tries to adjust the position forward or aft. To prevent rotation on round cross bars when loading, be careful to get the forward aft position just right during the lift phase.

Comment on this review

Jan

2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Very Satisfied

By Penn State Kayaker

from Columbia, SC

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

SUV's

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

I have used this product on factory rack systems for two different makes of vehicles, Volkswagen Touarag & Land Rover LR2. The racks fit on to each of these factory rack systems well. You just have to use your head a little bit and pay attention to what you are doing. Very easy to put kayaks on once they are installed. Makes tying down the boats very easy as well. My wife has a 13.5' and I have a 14', I am able to secure boats well enough that I never even use the bow strap. Hauled Kayaks from South Carolina to Erie, PA with no issues.

The bottle opener on the end is a nice perk too!

Comment on this review

Oct

2009

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good product

By Creek_Addict

from dawsonville, ga

About Me Recreational User

See all my reviews

Pros

Functional
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Kayaking

Comments about Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack:

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.

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