Yakima ShowDown Kayak/SUP Rack
The Yakima ShowDown kayak/stand up paddle board rack makes loading and unloading heavy boats and boards a breeze, thanks to the slide and tilt mechanism that takes on up to 45% of the weight.
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- Easily load and unload SUP boards and kayaks at waist level with a mechanism that tilts down 26 in. from the roof rack; it bears nearly half the weight as you raise it up
- 80 lb. boat and board capacity; easily handles 1 large kayak or 2 stand up paddle boards
- Lightweight materials and construction don't eat up your roof's carrying capacity
- Felt-covered cradles flex, conforming to hull for secure transport
- Folds down flat to reduce drag and noise when not in use
- Comes fully assembled right out of the box, installs in minutes
- Locks to base rack with SKS Lock Cores for added security (sold separately)
Imported.
| Best Use | Paddle Boarding Kayaking |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 42 x 9 x 9 inches |
| Weight | 21 pounds |
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Yakima you disappointed me..sigh..
I have had lots of Yakima stuff over the years and this item was one I had high hopes for. I got because my 50-lb kayak was getting tough to lift up on the top of my new truck canopy. The install was very easy...and my existing Yakima setup is 66-in steel round bars on tracks and footpads on a trunk canopy. The first load and unload of the kayak during my testing went great...I thought this was going to work fine. However after the third test, the unit rails somehow got a bit out of alignment (flexing is the issue) and during a lift up it would not slide in and then would not slide out...it jammed partially in only a couple inches...with me holding a 50-lb kayak over my head...I finally got it to pull back out, otherwise it would have bent (destroyed) the Showdown rails if I let the kayak down (try your first attempts with a helper). So, my observations are that this kayak rack takes up a lot of space on your bars, it was heavier than I expected, and due to the massive leverage it exerts, it will flex and move everything, including things that did not flex before, like your bars/towers and footpads. Maybe if your lift is kept to shoulder high roof it would be ok, but my truck canopy is higher that top of my head...so after that stressful jam experience I removed the unit and it is going back to REI. Sad.
Yakima Showdown is great!
This is a great rack with a 4 Runner. I have used it a lot over two summers now, often two or three times a week for my 42 lb 10' kayak. I like how it's easy to mount to my crossbars, works with a Thule hard box mounted at the same time. At 5'8 I need a 3' step ladder to mount them both and access the box. I also have used the ladder when I'm parked on uneven ground or a hill and can't quite lift the kayak loaded rack unto my roof. When lifting the boat one needs to be sure that you apply equal force to both handles because it HAS to go evenly. A little off and it doesn't work. It can be a little tricky sometimes but I've always succeeded. The boat has to be set on the rack "just right" so it lifts easily. I make sure the two cross straps are fore and aft of the widest part of my kayak and very snug so I don't have to use front and back straps- which is contrary to the instructions - but works for me, even on long distances and freeways. I also mount my boat upside down so I can leave it up there and it doesn't fill with rain or debris. Because my vehicle is so high, without this rack I'd probably have to carry the kayak inside sticking out the back window - not so good. The Yakima showdown is a perfect rack for me and my situation. Does it have a few quirks, sure, but nothing that troublesome. Plus, REI has a great staff to help with questions or problems and a good return policy.
Great product for the price.
So far, I've been very happy with the showdown. The only complaint I have us that it is a little difficult to use with wider crossbars (I'm running the Thule X-sporter pro's) but with a bit of elbow grease it'll lock in. As with some of the other reviews, it doesn't like to slide unless both sides are even, but I've found with the wider spread of my bars I can just push the kayak itself from the mid-keel and it'll go up even enough to slide in fine. I had been between the showdown and hulavator for a while, but for the price difference am very happy with this product. Holds tight, even thought the x-sporter bars seem to be at the very maximum of this systems limit. Between loading and lifting, this rack to s solid loading my 12' kayak (weighing in at just under 70 lbs) relatively easily and holds solid even at highway speeds.
Finally, Thule has some competition
After contemplating the benefits of getting a Thule Hullavator, I wasn't sold on dropping 650 for one. This is a relatively new product from Yakima and didn't have many youtube videos or reviews online. My REI had them in stock so I grabbed one and am so glad I did! This thing will seriously blow you away. It's simple to install and it comes out of the box already put together, all you have to put on is the felt pads for the cradles. It comes with 6 felt pads (2 for the stationary cradles, 2 for the kayak mounts already on the system, and 2 for the paddle board mounts in the box). After that you're good to go. The mounting points are solid and made my kayak very very secure. I have driven with the rack on and no kayak (minor wind noise, no whistling) and I have driven over a hundred miles with a kayak on and it was solid the whole time. The bow and stern tie downs are easy to use. One thing to note: it doesn't make the kayak any lighter, just easier to load. I know the Thule Hullavator has gas struts which take about 40 lbs of the kayak's weight away. That being said, for being 200 dollars cheaper, I'd say it's more than worth it. I went ahead and bought locking cores for the system as well so it doesn't get swiped while I'm out on the lake. They lock the outermost turn knobs so the system can't be lifted from the bars. So far no complaints from me. I am glad there is finally some competition for the Thule Hullavator.
Makes being not so tall easier..
I absolutely love this rack! With only being 5’4” and recently having shoulder surgery this rack is perfect. I had the J Hooks and always had to have someone help me get my kayak on my car and off. I couldn’t just go when I wanted. My kayak is 11’ and 54lbs. So having the ShowDown rack now I am able to load and unload all on my own. This made a world of difference for me. It’s so easy to use! I love it! I would recommend this rack to everyone! Especially if you like to go when you want to go!
Still not able to lift my 55lb kayak on to car
I bought the Showdown and the Hullavator at the same time for a comparison. I have always used Yakima products and was happy to see a more affordable option for a lift-assist rack. Pros: more affordable, lighter weight, comes pre-assembled (must put on adhesive felt pads) Cons: does not seem as sturdy, with round bar adapters- not easy to take on and off of roof rack, not as padded Deciding factor: I was able to lift my kayak to shoulder height, but no further, I could not get enough leverage/correct angle to actually slide the boat on to the top of the car- which was the whole reason for the purchase.
Not for short people with tall cars
I wanted to love this - it seemed like the perfect solution to trying to maneuver the kayak onto my Forester. Unfortunately if you are a shorter person (I'm not quite 5'-4") with a taller car the challenge in getting it to the top of the car is significant. It's easy to load, and not having to climb on the car to tie everything down is great. After that, the rack has to be level before it can be pushed in and secured. Even the slightest twist results in the two parts mis-aligning, and it is almost impossible to push it in.
Serious limitations
I was hoping it would help load a relatively lightweight kayak onto a tall vehicle (Jeep Liberty). Returned it as it was too much hassle to get it to work. Pro: Lightweight, great to be able to do the boat tie downs without climbing on top of car. Con: Rack has to be raised level before pushing it in. As the 2 sections function independently they easily twist, binding the entire system. With a taller vehicle this makes pushing it into place difficult even if one is tall, impossible if short. Great concept, but doesn't work well with taller vehicles.
Don't buy this unless you have an assistant
The problem with the design is that you have two separate cradles. Even a modestly heavy kayak is going to be to much for one person to lift esp. as the front cradle twists relative to the back or visa versa (unless you are above average in strength lifting a set of dumbells). I made a joining bar of aluminum (that fits tightly over the stock handles) so that one person could stand at the center between the two cradles and exert even force up and inwards. That helped. But, at least for a tall car situation, I still cannot recommend this product if you want to self load, which is why I purchased it. If you have two people all the time available to load, then why purchase this ? You might as well just purchase a cheaper unit with standard rollers and pads that load from the rear.
Great product for lighter kayaks
I've used this on kayaks of various shapes and lengths with weights varying from 35 to roughly 85 pounds. Heavier kayaks (55+ lbs.) tend to cause lots of flex and at times can be difficult to push into the top position. I make certain to keep the channels clean and slightly lubed. I think its perfect for kayaks under 50 pounds and less than 30" wide.