Information on New Kayak Racks Available for 2008

[wheeleez]

Just found some good stuff posted on the WWW about kayak racks being released for 2008...

Yakima BowDown kayak rack
The new Yakima BowDown kayak rack is the latest design from Yakima Racks and incorporates several new materials and new features. The coolest feature about the Yakima BowDown is that the upright cradles rotate down for better overhead clearance, important if pulling into a garage or something. The Yakima BowDown uses a new construction material to provide cushion and grip to the kayak also. This kayak rack is also Yakima SKS lock compatible, meaning the Yakima Bow Down kayak rack has lock housings to accept Yakima Lock Cores in order to lock the Bow Down to the base rack cross bars. TheYakima BowDown kayak rack also universally fits Yakima crossbars, any Thule Racks bars and most factory cross bars right out of the box.

[ORS_techhead]

++++ 2008 Yakima Racks & Thule Racks Product Release Update ++++

I have more information on the Thule kayak racks and Yakima kayak racks that are being relesed for 2008. wheeleez has pretty much covered the Yakima BowDown j-cradle style kayak carrier. But several other models are also now available:

Yakima BowDown (as covered by wheeleez)
Yakima Mako Aero kayak saddles
Yakima ShowBoat canoe-kayak lift assist rollers
Yakima Big Stack kayak stacker
Thule 835PRO Hull-a-Port kayak rack
Thule 835XTR Hull-a-Port kayak rack

From the Yakima Racks products the significant features about each carrier breakdown as such: The Yakima BowDown improves on j-cradle kayak design because the cradles can fold down when not in use, streamlining the look and avoiding any overhead clearance issues from garages and other low overhanging entrances. The Yakima Mako Aero saddles now come with universal factory rack adapters included. No need to use the additional Yakima Universal Mighty Mounts adapters necessary with the regular Yakima Mako saddles version. The Yakima ShowBoat is a major new innovation in canoe and kayak lift assist systems. It is compatible with any roof rack crossbars including factory racks, and you telescope the roller out over the back of the vehicle. Place the boat on the roller and then just slide the boat into position on whatever kayak carriers you are using to transport the canoe or kayak. The ShowBoat then retracts back into position during transport. You do need to get a pair of Yakima 66 inch crossbars to use in combination with the ShowBoat. The bars serve as the extensions. Finally, the Yakima BigStack improves on kayak stacker design (the style of kayak carrier that hauls up to 4 kayaks on their sides, works best with smaller kayaks such as whitewater kayaks) by allowing the posts to fold down when not in use, eliminating overhead clearance issues. Also much easier to tie down the kayaks too.

The Thule 835PRO Hull-a-Port and the Thule 835XTR Hull-a-Port are both j-cradle style kayak racks. The 835PRO is very similar to the Yakima BowDown with fold down technology when not in use. This model is actually easier to use because you just pull a release and the cradles instantly fold down. The Yakima BowDown requires that you turn a knob to fold the cradles down. The 835XTR does not offer fold down technology but is an improvement over the previous 835XT model because it is now designed to work with virtually any kayak on the market and also offers more padding for even more portection and snug fitting stability during transport.

More resources and information on each of these models can be found here:
2008 Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack (4042) - Universal Yakima Kayak Carriers
2008 Yakima Mako Aero Kayak Rack (4044) - Universal Yakima Kayak Saddles
2008 Yakima ShowBoat Roof Rack Roller System (4040) - Universal Yakima Kayak-Canoe Rollers
2008 Yakima BigStack Kayak Rack (4041) - Universal Mount Yakima Kayak Stacker
2008 Thule 835Pro Hull-a-Port Pro Kayak Rack - Universal Thule Kayak Rack Fits All Roof Racks
2008 Thule 835XTR Hull-a-Port Kayak Rack - Universal Thule Kayak Rack Fits All Roof Racks