Thule Hull-a-Port Pro
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The Hull-A-Port Pro features a time-tested design and folding cradle arm for improved overhead clearance and stability while toting kayaks to your favorite drop in point.
Shop similar products- P.F.D. Leverâ„¢ (Pull Fold Done) collapses the carrier quickly and efficiently when not in use
- Padded harness gently cradles your boat, limiting scratches and abrasion during transport
- Custom mounting hardware fits square, round and most factory-installed racks
- Angled design allows more room for other boats or carriers
- Includes QuickDraw ratcheting bow/stern tie-down straps and two 15 ft. straps for securing boat; carries one kayak
Made in USA.
| Best Use | Kayaking |
|---|---|
| Weight | 13 pounds |
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Easy to use, easy to store
I bought this rack for use with my factory crossbars on a 2012 Rav4. The clamps included are perfect for the shape of my current crossbars, and create an exceptionally stable system. I love that these fold flat when not in use-- I actually take them off, fold them up and keep them in my trunk when not in use. It takes me about 10 minutes to put them back on when I'm ready to take the boat out. The only downside might be that they are a little shallow for my particular boat (10' rec kayak at 29" wide and 11" deep), but I've never seen deeper upright racks either. With some wiggling and settling, I still achieve a stable mount though, it just takes some extra attention before I start driving.
Great Upgrade from Saddles
I have had Thule kayak saddles for 12 years and recently purchased the Hull A Port Pros to outfit my 2011 Sienna. I wished I had switched to this kayak carrier sooner. It is easier to load kayaks, touring and whitewater, onto to this carrier. Being able to tuck away the remaining tag from the straps into the bottom of the carrier is great, no more wrapping and tying off the straps. I have carried a Necky Looksha, Current Design Slipstream, Current Design Sirocco and a Jackson SuperHero in this carrier with no rack adjustments or hull deformation from tightening straps. Skip the saddles and go for the J carrier.
Love this Rack!!
I bought this folding Thule J rack for the RIOT Edge 13 kayak (about 60 lbs), which I purchased from REI. It installed quickly, and the straps are great, the thule straps has rubber cover to go over the metal buckles so it doesn't scratch the Jeep. The bow and stern tie downs are great also. The awesome part is all the tie downs come with it. I've driven this to over 60 miles/hr on the freeway and it is very stable. I do recommend getting the fairing as it eliminates the wind noise. I got that a week later.
Worth its Price
Needed to take home a pair of brand new 50lb W/S Tsunami kayak on my Subaru Tribeca with factory-installed aerobars. Was a bit apprehensive at first since it didn't look very rugged and durable. Much to my amazement the tie down straps and ratchet rope pulleys that came with the package kept both boats from flying off at 60 mph for a 1hr drive! CONS: The manual screws make it easy to steal the racks and the kayaks. I highly recommend Steelcore lock straps. Lastly, the tie down straps are difficult to get around the kayak for short people like me.
Very sturdy
We love it because it will fit the factory roof racks on both our Dodge Grand Caravan and Ford Escape without any additional mounting accessories. Anyone who has looked at racks knows how confusing and expensive it can get when considering multiple vehicles. Stability was also very important as well given our previous experience with a Yakima Bowdown. While traveling at 70 mph on I-75 with consistent heavy crosswinds near Saginaw, MI, the Bowdown's universal mounting bracket hinge broke apart. If not for the stern and bow lines, who knows where our 12 ft Pungo would have ended up. No matter how good you think your rack is, spend the extra time and secure your boats with stern and bow lines. After multiple trips to our Northern Michigan Cottage with those same consistent and nasty crosswinds, the Thule is working excellent.
Great product, not always easy to use
With assistance from a sales person, I purchased the Hull-a-Port. I am 5'3" and not weak. I have a Subaru Outback. I have a 14' kayak. I absolutely could not get my kayak in the rack without extreme effort. The kayak has to be on an angle while it is pushed into place. I simply couldn't do it and again, I am not superwoman but I'm not a cream puff either. I would not advise this for other buyers. I exchanged it for a the Thule roller mount which lies flat and I no problems at all. Please note, there is nothing wrong with the mount itself!
Functional, Solid, Cool Factor
I have five different kinds of kayak racks, this is my favorite (three thule, one yakama, one homemade of wood). While it is easy to remove (unlike the old ones that required allen wrench), it is highly functional, solidly built (so far), easy to use, holds my 9.5' recreational kayak as well as my 18 foot sea kayak. Best? It folds up when not in use so you don't feel like you need to remove it any time you travel. Thule is SO much better than yakima it's not even funny (round bars? ALL boat racks turn sideways when you slide boats on!--THULE has rectangular bars so that NEVER happens. This is REALLY a problem with anything other than a small, short car). Seriously, Yakima is overrated. Thule rocks. They also come well equipped with instructions, reorder information and the best straps/buckle bumpers on the market.
Amazing product
Bought 2 to transport two new Tarpon 140's on my MB wagon. MB doesn't have bumper mounted tow hooks so was concerned about securing bow/stern of boats. Ended up securing bow/stern to factory roof rack but added a belt-and-suspenders tether around boats and roof rack in the middle -- the latter was like "Contact" -- it made all kinds of rattling and vibrations. I removed the extra strap after a few blocks and the rack performed like a champ! 100+ miles, half at freeway speeds and the other with switchbacks. The boats arrived at destination without issue and there was zero noise. Lost about 4 MPG but super impressed!
So hard to put rack on the roof
I purchased two sets of Thule Hill-a-Port Pro for my kayaks. I have a Honda Pilot, and it either takes a small ladder or climbing on the seats with the door open to put the rack on. The screws that hold it on take forever to mount. I do only take off one side so there are only two screw per rack to battle, but it still takes forever, and I dread it. I wouldn't care that much if I could just leave it on the roof, but I need to take it off since I don't have a garage and worry someone will steal them. I dread having to put it on. I wish I could lock it on so this wouldn't be a worry. I understand that this might be wonderful compared to other brands or styles, but again, I dread using it.
Excellent Kayak Carrying Rack
Bought two of these racks. Checked out the Yakima Bowdown first but the Thule rack is much superior. Yakima screw is difficult to adjust folding up and down, the Thule is so much easier but is a fixed angle. Comes with 40mm / 60mm bolts but I had to buy 80mm bolts at an extra $10 a pack to fit my Xterra factory rack (which REI only do on-line). It is a little difficult at first for short people to get the Kayaks on and off and to fit the straps around the Kayak on a tall SUV but you can put the Kayak on flat and flip it up easily. with practice and a method this is now no problem. Can't lock these carriers to your factory rack so I bought steel locking straps. Expensive rack ~$200) when you add the locking straps and 80mm bolts but probably the best of the bunch.