After reading on here about the different roof racks people have tried, i went and ordered the Saris roof rack system. This was my first roof rack, so i don't really have anything to compare it to, but instalation was extremely easy (didn't even have to ask for help from the housemates). And clearly from the pictures below, the prius can hold anything on its roof! [attachmentid=2825] [attachmentid=2826]
Looks real good. I'm going to have to get a set soon to move my boat's boom and spinnaker pole down to the boatyard.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing. Do you mind if I host a copy of these pictures on my Prius Rack page? http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_racks.htm
I'm really curious what hauling the two boats does to your mileage. I'd put a few whitewater kayaks on my Dodge Caravan and would take about a 10% mileage hit. My guess is the Prius will take a huge hit. Enjoy your paddling.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David @ Apr 3 2006, 07:22 PM) [snapback]234478[/snapback]</div> I used to drive with a Rocket Box and Kayak on my Honda Civic. With bare roof, I got about 39mpg. With Goodies on the roof, I got about 35mpg. I don't expect the hit to be any greater with the Prius. Even if the Prius mileage dropped to 30 it'll still be WAY better than driving a larger, less efficient car all those other times when you do NOT have stuff on the roof!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 3 2006, 10:00 PM) [snapback]234460[/snapback]</div> Go for it! I've enjoyed looking over your site and all the things you've done, and would be happy to contribute . Additional info you may want to include with the pics: 59'' cross bars with add on Saris water sport saddles. The kayaks are 17' Perception Shadow and Eclipse, respectively. We took it about 20 minutes up to lake erie without any problems. One of the real nice things about the saddles is their ability to rotate, so the kayak can roll right off the side of the rack when you want to take it off. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David @ Apr 3 2006, 10:22 PM) [snapback]234478[/snapback]</div> I noticed a small hit on MPG, but it wasn't all that bad. highway driving was around 35, with back roads over 50, for the most part.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Apr 3 2006, 07:58 PM) [snapback]234494[/snapback]</div> Thanks much! I've popped the picture in there. How do you like your choice of kayaks? I've spent YEARS trying to find the perfect one (tough to balance my "wants" with the "needs" of the whole family. Those are the Saris Saddles that you purchased as well? They look nice! I have the Yakima Mako units that I was going to adapt to to the slot in the top of the Saris racks.
Personally, i love it. It's big enough to be stable in big water (sunday on lake erie the waves were easily 2.5 feet high), but long and skinny enough to be pretty fast. The Shadow belongs to one of my housemates, and he's had it for several years, while i jsut got the eclipse a few weeks ago. The biggest difference we notices between the two was the shadow sat lower in the water. He has a skirt for it, so he doesn't have to worry about taking on water, my skirt, however, is in the process of being shipped... all the same, with the waves i barely took on any water. As for the saddles, yes, they're Saris, and they were pretty simply to put on. they have a large thumb wheel type thing to tighten them into place, and the pads rotate to any angle to accomodate the boat. the only worry i have is that they are entirely plastic. i could see how, over time (most likely many years), they could wear down and break... we'll see how it goes before i start trashing them
The saris rack looks great. Only question I have is that it looks like it tightens by pulling each end towards the other. Since the roof is angled, and there are no vehicle specific pads, is the rack being pushed into the roof in a way which can cause denting to the roof? I've been around the net a bit and for the most part haven't heard alot of praise for Thule, so its either yakima or saris, and I prefer saris, just don't want to end up with a dented roof since the rack will only be used occassionally.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mirza @ Apr 5 2006, 06:50 AM) [snapback]235219[/snapback]</div> Easier than putting one up on any SUV! With a helper it is a piece of cake. A bit more difficult with one. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jceh1 @ Apr 5 2006, 07:51 AM) [snapback]235245[/snapback]</div> Thule and Yakima both make great products. I've used Yakima products almost exclusively for 20 years. For the Prius, I still say the Saris is the best bet (especially if you have no other rack parts to match). Forget about the non-vehicle specific pads. The pads that come with the Saris fit the roof every bit as well as the "vehicle specific" ones from the other guys. And where the Saris pads hit, the vehicle is surprisingly strong. You won't dent the roof with any of these unless you crank down too hard. In other words, you can dent the roof as easily with any system - if you REALLY crank down. They ALL mount the same way (clips that pull the towers down. The Saris does tighten to the middle, but eventually it does exactly what the other systems do - pulls the towers to the roof.
Thanks for the reponse. I will also be adding a cargo box to the rack for an upcoming trip. Saris seems to be the way to go for the rack, though I will probably be getting one of the smaller thule or yakima boxes, as the saris box looks too long, and although on its web-site, I haven't found anyone retailing it.
I am in the process of deciding which box to get. I want something thin and am leaning toward the Thule Cascade 1100. However it seems it may be a little long 88.5 x 21 x 15 inches. Anyone have experience with this box. What boxes are others using on their Prius? darelldd, you said you have a rocket box. The dimensions for current generation rocket box(16) are: 26 x 92 x 15 inches. However, yours looks shorter than that. What are the dimensions of your box? Seems like what I am looking for.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Snarf @ Apr 7 2006, 11:50 AM) [snapback]236435[/snapback]</div> The dimensions you have are the dimensions of mine. Mind is older, but they kept the dimensions the same. I purchased one of the new Platinum Pro boxes, and ended up selling it to a friend. The configuration of this one is just PERFECT for my needs. It is big enough for what I need to carry, has a small frontal area (this was quite important) and is narrow enough to allow me to also carry a kayak or bike up there. Except for the ancient attachment mechanism and double locks, I like everything about this box. Please note that the hatch will hit the back end of this one (and any that are near this long). But it only hits the glass, and I solved it with some hooks and rope as soon on my racks page.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mirza @ Apr 5 2006, 09:50 AM) [snapback]235219[/snapback]</div> Just to add what darell said, with the saddles it's even easier to put the kayak on the roof. Carrying the kayak on my shoulder (such that it more or less "hangs" from my shoulder where the seat is), i can just lift it a little more to put it on the edge of the rack. the saddles rotate, so i can flip them out and then just roll the kayak into place.
