Picture of the all-new INA446 Inno SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker for use as a stand-up paddleboard rack, kayak rack, canoe rack and more. Universally fits factory roof rack crossbars as well as base rack systems from Inno, Yakima, Whispbar, Thule and more.

Image of the INA445 Inno SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker - an economical version of the INA446 and does not include the car rack cross bar pads.

Now available from Inno Racks dealers in the United States and Canada are the new, improved versions of the famously popular Inno INA444 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker – the Inno Racks INA446 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker and the Inno INA445 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker – both feature innovative updates that allow for even more factory roof rack cross bar fits, more robust theft prevention and better protection and stability of equipment during transport. Instead of a pair of foam blocks (included with the INA444), the INA446 version now includes a pair of crossbar pads that deliver superior ease of loading and unloading and wear-restistance that’ll last a lifetime. The INA445 version does not include rack pads and is targeted as a more value priced option for users that do not need rack pads for added equipment protection, ease of loading / unloading or increased prevention of lateral shifting of gear during transport (also a great option for users that already own a pair of car rack cross bar pads or foam blocks). Both models feature redesigned locking rack straps that deliver increased protection from theft of gear or the rack itself when left unattended. They also feature universal clamp hardware that fits even more factory racks as well as any after-market base rack system crossbars from Inno Racks, Yakima Racks, Whispbar Racks, Thule Racks and more. The Inno INA446 Locker and Inno INA445 Locker are the most versatile watersport carriers available on the market today and work equally well for hauling any canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard ( SUP ), surfboard (both short and long boards), windsurfer, wakeboard etc. Works great as a ladder rack as well. The integrated ratcheting mechanism makes it an effortless process to tighten the straps around the gear, and the included Inno locks and keys ensure everything is safe and secure from anyone stealing your gear or the rack itself. They both also adjust to any width along the cross bars to custom fit the item(s) you are carrying.

Picture of the all-new MPG116MD Malone Racks J-Pro j-style kayak carrier, a cheap kayak rack that still manages to accomplish what other more expensive carriers normally are only able to do... fit any roof rack including factory rack crossbars, Whispbar, Yakima, Thule, Inno car rack cross bars etc., transport any kayak up to 34" wide and 75 lbs. and be covered under the Malone Auto Racks lifetime warranty program.

Photo of the MPG117MD Malone Racks J-Pro2 j-style kayak carrier, a mid-level kayak rack that includes all the same features as the Malone J-Loader j-cradles kayak rack except that it does not offer the boarding ramp integrated into the base of each of the cradles for easy kayak loading. Fits factory racks and any Yakima, Whispbar, Inno, Thule roof rack crossbars etc. Holds boats up to 36" wide and 75 lbs.

Rounding out the recreational-level and entry-level kayak rack offerings in the Malone Auto Racks new series of j-cradle style kayak carriers, the MPG117MD Malone J-Pro2 kayak rack and MPG116MD J-Pro kayak rack are superb options for anyone focused on a well balanced blend of solid features and value pricing. The Malone J-Pro2 kayak rack is in fact very similar to the more expensive Malone J-Loader kayak carrier and lacks only the integrated boarding ramps at the bottom of each cradle to allow for easily sliding the boat onto the cradles. It also is not compatible with the MPG351 Malone Telos Lift-Assist device (Malone Telos works on the DownLoader, J-Loader and AutoLoader kayak racks only). Other than that it serves as an excellent carrier that will last for years and years of reliable use. The Malone J-Pro j-cradles are available as a cheap kayak rack option and will meet any budget minded consumer. Will never rust or corrode and includes adjustable pads on the upright cradles. Both the J-Pro2 and the J-Pro include the proprietary Malone Racks JAWZ universal mounting hardware so they work on any factory roof rack cross bars as well as car rack crossbars from Thule, Inno, Yakima, Whispbar and more. The J-Pro2 fits boats up to 75 lbs. and 36″ wide while the J-Pro works with any kayak up to 75 lbs. and 34″ wide.

Picture of the MPG114MD Malone Racks Downloader fold-down kayak carrier, a premium j-style kayak rack with cradles that can fold down when not in use. Fits all roof racks including factory rack crossbars and any cross bars from Whispbar, Yakima, Thule, Inno etc.

Photo of the MPG118MD Malone Racks J-Loader kayak rack, which other than lacking the convenient folding down kayak cradles, is exactly the same as the Downloader model.

Already a leader in the kayak transport industry with a full line of car roof mount kayak carriers and trailer hitch mount tow trailers for hauling kayaks, Malone Auto Racks has launched a new series j-cradle style kayak carriers. Two noteable models are the Malone MPG114MD DownLoader fold-down kayak carrier and the Malone MPG118 J-Loader kayak rack. Both are essentially the same carriers with the one exception being the J-Loader model does not feature the folding down cradles for when there is no boat on the rooftop. Otherwise, they are exactly the same and can carry any size, style, or shape kayak up to 75 lbs and 36 inches wide. They also include the proprietary Malone Racks JAWZ universal mounting hardware that allows the carriers to attach directly to virtually all roof rack styles including factory racks and any car rack cross bars from Yakima, Whispbar, Thule, Inno and of course Malone. The folding down cradles feature on the DownLoader model serves to improve fuel efficiency while driving around town with no kayak on the car top. It also enable access to garages without having to first remove the carrier.

Q: I have a Nissan Xterra 2006 and would like help selecting a roof rack system.

I like  the Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack. This one is appealing to me because it might allow for up to 2 kayaks to be mounted on top my SUV. Also, I like the  extended rod that will allow for the easier lift up of the kayak by one person. Can you recommend all the parts I need?

A: In order to use the Yakima Boat Loader accessory with a 2006 Nissan Xterra, you will need a base roof rack system that includes a set of Yakima crossbars.  The system that is compatible with your vehicle is the Yakima Railgrab system with 48” bars.

With that in place, you can mount the two Yakima Bowdowns and the  Yakima BoatLoader.

Side view of a 2010 Subaru Forester hauling two kayaks using the Thule 450 Crossroads feet with a pair of Thule 50" Crossbars and two set of the Malone SeaWing kayak saddles tied down with included load straps and tie downs.

 Do you have two 14′ kayaks and a 250 mile drive to the water?  This rack master does.  Using the Thule 450 Crossroad roof rack system  (includes Thule 450 Crossroads foot pack and pair of 50″ Load bars) for use with factory side rails, this 2010 Subaru Forester roof rack kayak carrier set up can easily carry two large boats side by side with room to spare.  The kayak saddles chosen for this adventure are the Malone SeaWing kayak saddles which use universal mounting hardware to attach to Thule loadbars (as shown here), Inno, and Yakima crossbars as well as virtually all factory crossbars.  These boats aren’t going to budge during the trip thanks to well done strapping down with the included load straps and bow/stern tie downs.  For easier loading and unloading of the kayaks, the Malone Seawing kayak carrier can be combined with the Malone Stinger Lift Assist, which uses a sliding V-shaped cradle that extends backwards from the SeaWing saddle, providing a lower and further back loading point that will guide the boat forward into the saddles as you are lifting and pushing.

Complete 2010 Subaru Forester kayak roof rack install details page

Install photo of a 2005 Toyota Corolla kayak rack using the Yakima Q-Tower Base Rack (Yakima Q-Towers, Yakima Q31 and Q99 Q-Clips, and Yakima 48" round bars) with Yakima 44" wind fairing and Yakima Hullraiser J-style kayak rack.

Ok all you sit-on-top kayak paddlers, here’s a great way to carry your boat.  There are of course, many other options, but this 2005 Toyota Corolla roof rack kayak carrier system is using the Yakima Q-Tower roof rack (includes set of Yakima Q Towers, pair of Yakima Q31 clips and pair of Yakima Q99 clips and also a pair of cross bars) as its base rack which is the foundation of a rooftop kayak rack for a naked roof.  It is decked out with a Yakima 44″ wind fairing, or wind deflector, or “flair” as one person calls it, and a set of Yakima SKS 4 locks to prevent theft.  Holding the sit-on-top kayak is the Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack.  This person knows how to roll, but I’m not sure how I feel about the unorthodox method used for strapping the boat down.  I might suggest using the included Yakima Heavy Duty Load Straps for the body of the kayak and the included Yakima Ratcheting Bow and Stern Tie Down Straps for the bow and stern.  If this is how you plan of strapping your boat down, then I would say drive really, really slow. 

Complete details for this 2005 Toyota Corolla 4-Door Sedan kayak roof rack install.

Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack

This ORS Racks Direct demonstration video spotlights the 8004039 Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack. An instant classic, the Yakima Hull Raiser is responsible for the j-cradle style kayak carrier revolution. Perfectly contoured j-cradles make it easy to load any style of kayak and the well padded cradles snugly protect and stabilize the boat during transport. Fits both Yakima round bars and Inno & Thule square bars. Also compatible with Yakima Universal MightyMounts clamps for attaching to factory racks (or you can use the Yakima HullRaiser Aero kayak rack, which includes factory rack adapters).  Includes rack straps and bow & stern tie-downs.

Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack video

Stellar shot of a 2009 Nissan Cube roof kayak rack system using the Yakima Q-Tower Base Rack System (Yakima Q Towers, Q31 Clips, and 78" Roundbars) with four Malone AutoLoader kayak racks.

Here’s a great example of how a roof mounted base rack system can haul a serious–heck, seemingly impossible–amount of gear.  This 2009 Nissan Cube comes out of the factory with what we call a “naked roof” so the first order of business for this customer was installing the Yakima Q Tower system, which constists of a set of Yakima Q Towers, two pairs of #31 Yakima Q Clips, and a pair of Yakima Roundbars.  The Cube calls for 58″ bars, but because this customer needed maximum gear capacity, he went with a pair of 78″ bars upon which he has installed four Malone AutoLoader J-style kayak cradles.   To complete the system, as well as reduce the wind noise, he has installed a Yakima 50″ Fairing and the whole thing is locked down with a set of Yakima SKS 4 locks. 

2009 Nissan Cube roof rack kayak carriers install details

Image of a 2010 Subaru Outback wagon roof rack kayak rack setup using the Thule 450 Crossroad car rack multi-purpose base rack system attached to the 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack side rails. The Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack is attached to the 450 Crossroad base rack cross rails.

There has been much discussion on the internet regarding the new 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack and its incompatibility with after-market multi-purpose base rack systems. As the picture above shows, however, there is no problem with mounting an aftermarket roof rack system to the 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack side rails. Furthermore, you can carry long items such as kayaks too. The picture above features a 2010 Subaru Outback kayak roof rack system using the Thule 450 Crossroad car rack mounted to the 2010 Subaru Outback factory rack side rails. The Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack is then connected to the 450 Crossroad load bars. For more details on the extensive testing Thule Racks has done with the 2010 Subaru Outback wagon roof rack check out this discussion of the 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack. And don’t forget you can easily mount many gear carriers directly to the factory rack cross bars too.

2010 Subaru Outback wagon roof rack kayak carrier install details