Kayak (Naked) Roof Rack Recommendation

I am picking up a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox next week that DOES NOT have any factory installed roof runners, which is a bummer. I researched some “naked” roof rack options and found some on etrailer.com (Rhino-Rack) but lawd they are expensive (~$500). Does anyone have some more budget friendly options that are out there? Appreciate it.

Not sure what type of yak ya got but many,many years ago I bought possibly one of the very first Chapman pirogues built,got neat foam block roof carrier with two ratcheting straps and nylon rope and was easily able to transport about 14 ft Chapman using foam blocks(4)and they fit perfectly on gunwales and the ratcheting straps held bow and stern and for extra-stability could tie down pirogue with nylon rope.Just took look on Amazon Prime and looks like Atwood has similar set-up for all of $29,probably would work and Amazon listed bunch of options but would require some type of existing roof rack.Hope dat helps!!Yakima is a company dat specializes in yak-transporting gear,might wanna check em out!!

Mandevillian

Thanks Mandevillian. I have a Native Ultimate 12. I have a set of universal kayak straps/pads but have found that the hull shape doesn’t fit well with the universal pads and therefore slides off some. That combined with tightening the straps down has the kayak “dogged down” to the point the hull is damn near touching the roof. I wasn’t so concerned about it when I was throwing my kayak on my very old minivan, but now a new vehicle has me a little concerned. Getting the hull off of the roof was the initial goal of the bars but now knowing the cost of such a solution, I’m thinking of seeking oversized pads (or maybe another set would do the trick). I’ll check out the products/references you sent. Certainly appreciate it.

PICKINHAND
I bought the Rhino-Rac for my Wrangler a few months back for half that price. Some assembly required but was perfect fit for the jeep.

Electricspec

CCAguns(retired engineer)and I were chatting and he and I thought about possibly lashing two pool noodles together for one side of Equinox and lashing another set together for other side and yak MIGHT fit somewhat squarely in between those pool
noodles,just a thought. Probably could fashion something.

Mandevillian

Okay...just and update. I’m going on my first trip with the new ride. I just rolled with the standard roof pads approach for now. Long term however, I see me really scratching the roof and point-loading the roof. When I dog this down in the morning, I hope to not permanently dent the roof.

Looks like neat way to transport ya yak-had a buddy with a nice Toyota Highlander who used to transport a 2-man Chapman pirogue INSIDE his vehicle-he fabricated neat way to transport his rogue and after he passed away,I contacted his daughter and now I am the owner of his Chapman to add to my fleet of paddle-craft.Good luck in Grand Isle chasing fish with de yak!!

Mandevillian