Stern rack to hold 2 kayaks plus solar.

[dave_and_dd]

ok, I'm dreaming...but I'm looking to find or engineer a rack on the stern to hold two small kayaks (flat yet transverse) and that I could also use to mount a solar panel on top (like a 140 watt panel). I would want the solar panel to end up a bit above the Bimini and start just behind it so the panel adds a bit of shade to the back of the cockpit.

I've looked all over, yet never seen anything like this. I've seen some solar supports that can do it for the solar, but wondering about adding something for kayaks. Mainsail's new solar support looks neat but wouldn't help me in this case. Nor would Davits do it, I'm wanting something I can store the two kayaks one above the other.

BTW, the boat has a sugar scoop transom with walk through...

Thanks for any ideas...
Dave - Tampa

 

[Kermit]

I know this isn't what you're describing but my dock neighbor has kayak holders on stanchions on both sides of his C-30 towards the bow. Seems to work for him. I won't be much help on the solar thing.

 

[Meriachee]

There are a number of places that specialize in custom stainless fabrication, garhauer in the US and Stainless Outfitters in Barrie Ontario do this kind of thing. There is probably somebody close to you.

 

[jeepbluetj]

I know this isn't what you're describing but my dock neighbor has kayak holders on stanchions on both sides of his C-30 towards the bow. Seems to work for him. I won't be much help on the solar thing.

I have kayak holders on stanchions on both sides of my C-30. They're a royal PITA 'cause you can't see through the kayaks, kayaks are a pain to load and unload, and they limit the path to the foredeck because they also tend to bend the stanchions. They have a ring on top of the holder that I run a line to the spin pole ring on the mast - that keeps em from bending but it's a pain to duck under the line.

I keep thinking inflatable kayaks are the way to go.

No help at all to the OP, sorry.

 

[DannyS]

Sounds like you need an arch.

 

[dave_and_dd]

Yep, I've carried the kayaks on either side up front and hate it. Impaired visibility, plus interference with jib, and pain to launch. That's why I'm trying to think of something on the stern.

An arch might be helpful. Pretty much anything I could hold the kayaks with I could find a way to mount solar above...may end up with something fabricated...

Dave

 

[Kermit]

I won't be much help on the solar thing.

I guess I wasn't much help on the kayak thing, either. :-(

 

[DannyS]

We have kayaks as well for our kids (and for the adults, who am I kidding?) and we've always tied them on the inside of the lifelines to the stanchions. I've never been comfortable lashing them to the stanchions so this year, I tried something different. I mounted a Yakima rack to the cabin top. It's actually lashed to the handrails on the cabin top just to see if I liked it. So far, I'm undecided. The nose of the kayaks have a tendency to grab the lazy sheet so you need to be watchful when tacking.
Not that this helps you with your situation unless you mount your solar to the bottom of your kayaks. I have yet to see a good solution for kayaks aboard.

 

[dave_and_dd]

Danny - any ideas help- thanks. do you have a picture by any chance? if I find a better place to hold the kayaks, I'd only put solar on the stern behind the bimini, and I have an easy way to make a rack just for the solar.

Also - Kermit - no matter - always welcome to see you add a "ribbit" into any conversation.

David

 

[Mark Maulden]

Advanced Elements inflatable kayaks. Paddles well and tracks well. Not as well as a good sea kayak so depends what you're gonna use them for. Pumps up fast and deflates faster. Simple fold and they lie flat on any deck surface. Lash down with a painter...

 

[DannyS]

I'll shoot a photo next time I'm at the boat. I do have my solar panels rigged on top of my bimini, Here's a photo of that.