Seattle Sports Sherpak Boat Roller
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The Seattle Sports Sherpak Boat Roller mounts to your car's top or windshield to assist in loading your kayak onto the roof of your car.
Shop similar products- Heavy-duty suction cups offer a reliable, secure mount; suction cups feature levers for easy engagement and release
- Foam rollers on bar protect the boat
- The Seattle Sports Sherpak Boat Roller is best used in conjunction with foam blocks or cradles (not included)
Imported.
View all Seattle Sports Watercraft Rack AccessoriesBest Use | Paddling |
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Maybe fine for light kayaks - not heavy yaks
Tried adjusting to different angles and locations on the window but all combinations failed to support moving my Hobie Pro Angler 14 on to the roof rack of a 2004 Acura MDX. The Sherpak boat roller would pop off with the pressure of the yak which fell and scratched my car. I think it was designed for yaks weighing less than 40 pounds, it's not sturdy enough to support anything heavier. Used my old bath mats on the back window trick and slid the yak up over those like I've done for years.
Simply: It works
I use this rig for an 18' hard-chine sea kayak. On a Honda Element, no way the side loader bars will work safely (I have a Yakima setup). This Sherpak device assists rear loading when your rear roof rack/saddle is too far from the back of the vehicle requiring you to rest the kayak on the back of the vehicle somewhere. One modification I made was to add 3 rolls of (1.5" x 12.5 yards) athletic cloth tape, and wrap it to built up the sides of the cushions fashioning a V saddle -just keep wrapping til you use up that much tape. This guides my hard-chine hull, and provides a soft grip surface that controls the kayak's lateral slide. Personnally, for my boat, I was hesitant to use the loader as is. The loader seems plenty strong, but I will inspect it frequently. The suction cups are extremely strong, tho you must clean the surfaces and be sure you have enough surface for the cup faces to fully cover. I do run a safety rope from my rear hitch to the stern of the kayak to insure the kayak does not slide away from the vehicle as I'm setting up to lift the boat up; adds a lot of control. This setup is ALOT cheaper than Yakima's Show Boat loader which really isn't that great of a design for all it does; especially if you have an antenna on the vehicle.
One man loader
I've used this roller several times and I am getting better at using it. It is much better than loading from the side. You just have to take it off right after loading as it loses suction and will fall off after a few minutes.
This helps a short person load a kayak
I am only 5'4" and wanted to be able to load my kayak myself if needed. My Yak is 11.5 ft My SUV is a RAV 4. This product works well for my Hurricane Skimmer. All I do is position the bow on the Sherpak then get near the back and slide it up onto the racks. I always bring a clean cloth and window cleaner with me so the suction will work well. I am not sure if this product will work well for a heavy kayak. Mine is only about 38 lbs.
Solo loading atop a car - excellent
I've been using this for over two years now, initially with a 14' Necky Zoar and now with my Vibe Sea Ghost 110. Loaded, both weigh over 80 lbs, Loading that Necky was a bear before this roller. I'm loading the yak onto an old Nissan Altima with roof racks and PVC rails. With this, get the nose up on the Sherpack (far enough so it will balance) then get behind and push. Tip 1) Instructions say to clean the surface (trunk or glass) every time. Clean the surface every time. Tip 2) My Sea Ghost has a replaceable skid plate on the back. I put two aluminum (rain gutter) screws into the skid plate. That helps keep the yak from sliding back down the boat ramp while positioning it on the Sherpak. I've had bad luck with some Seattle Sports products in the past, but this one nails it.
Making kayaking easier
Wanted to buy a new kayak and was hesitant as I wasn't sure I could get it on the car myself. I didn't want to send spennd hundreds on a rack system and a hydraulic kayak lifter my new roller works well, helps me get the kayak stabilized and safely on top of the car and I'm good to go
Sherpak Boat Roller
Seems like a good idea, but I found it too flimsy for my 70 lb kayak. It didn't break but deformed enough to give me pause.
Sherpak Roller Experience
Probably a great option if your SUV/car has flat windows. Mine are very slightly curved and even after cleaning the Sherpak's pads and the windows with alcohol, the Boat Roller wouldn't stay securely fixed when a load was applied. Also, the Sherpak can't be used on my SUV's tailgate window due to the extended 'spoiler' that my (and many other) SUV has over the top of the glass.
Ok plus.
Well constructed except wiggle in foot attachments. Also no specific instructions. In particular a better explanation for 2 positions of foot attachments.