Carrying a Kayak on a 2007 Honda Civic Sedan  

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Expert Reply:

For your 2007 Honda Civic, you'll want to keep it simple, as the height of the car means there's no reason to go with bigger, expensive load assist carriers.

Since it sounds like you are just looking to carry a kayak, a simple, easy to remove roof rack is the best pick. Prior to using the roof rack, you'll want to verify your roof capacity with your owner's manual or manufacturer. This capacity will include the weight of the kayak, carrier and roof rack, and will be limited by the lowest capacity part of the system.

I recommend the Inno, part # INXB108-2, # INXS200, and # INK326 for your vehicle. This rack includes integrated locks and a simple, quick mount clamp let you add and remove the rack as needed. It has a weight capacity of 110 pounds.

For a carrier, you can take advantage of the shorter height of the Honda Civic to quickly load the kayak in a J-Style Carrier mounted close to the roof rack's tower for easy, quick loading and unloading of your boat.

Swagman's Contour Kayak Carrier, part # S65148 is a straightforward, economical carrier that includes tie down straps and bow and stern ties in the kit. The carrier is capable of handling a 100 pound kayak and attaches quickly via hand knobs.

If you'd like to add a little more speed to your system, Malone's Quick Loops, part # MPG308 and Thule Quick Draw Tie-Down Ropes w/ Ratchets and Strap Loops - 13' - Qty 2 # TH855XT help make the tie-down process a little easier. The Quick Loops add reinforced nylon loops to your trunk and hood, letting you attach to those points rather than having to attach inside the hood, protecting your vehicle's finish.

The Thule Quick Draw uses a ratcheting pulley system that "remembers" its position to make tying down quick.

expert reply by: Jacob W

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