Getting your Boat to the Water - Part 2 of 8 - Using J-Cradles
Posted by Laura Vanderhoek (WCk Staff) on 2017 Feb 3rd
J-Cradles – use with touring and recreational kayaks
Pros
- Prevent warping damage on plastic kayaks.
- Allows you to get more boats on one rack.
Cons
- Not a great option if you need clearance to get into a garage with the kayaks on the roof. Folding cradles are available for when you leave the cradles on the roof and are not transporting kayaks.
- More difficult to load by yourself.
How to use J-Cradles
1. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to install cradle on rack.
2. Start by looping the cam straps around the top bar of each J-cradle, then place the free ends lightly on the hood and trunk.
3. Center the kayak on the J-cradles with the cockpit facing outwards. I prefer to make sure the bow is at the front of the car, more for ascetics then anything.
4. Standing at one end of the kayak grab a hold of both loose ends of the cam strap and flip them over the boat.
5. Take the end of the strap with the buckle and adjust its position so that it’s in the center of the kayak. If it is hard to adjust the strap it is likely crossed over itself at some point so take a look and make sure they are not crossed.
6. Take the loose end of the strap without the buckle and loop it around the rack’s crossbar, thread the end through the cam buckle. Always make sure you will be pulling down on the strap and not up to tighten.
7. While holding onto the side of the strap without the buckle pull down on the loose end to tighten the strap. Use some body weight here to help but be careful not to over-tighten the straps. They only need to be tight enough to hold the kayak in the cradle.
8. Repeat Steps 4-7 for the other strap.
9. Adjust straps as necessary making sure the protective pad on the strap is under the cam buckle to protect your kayak from abrasion.
10. Attach Bow and stern tie downs to the front and back grab handles of your kayak using a bowline or other secure knot – Some may find this is easier before the kayak is loaded on the car.
11. Tie off the bow and stern lines to the front and back of your vehicle and use a truckers hitch to get them snug. Remember that these are only back-up safeties so they don’t need to be very tight. The cam straps in the center are doing the job of keeping the kayak in the cradle. Be sure there are no loose ends of rope that could end up under a wheel during transport as this may cause costly repairs to both your kayak and vehicle.
12. Lastly test your tie down. Give the kayak a good tug and if the load shifts go back to step 7.