Center Y Kayak Mount
8-00-9833
Offset Y Kayak Mount
8-00-9844
The Y Kayak Mounts are used to carry a kayak on top of the vehicle with the bottom of the kayak facing down. This extremely strong system works really well for large and/or heavier kayaks that benefit from being loaded by putting the bow of the kayak on the rear Mount and sliding the kayak forward - as kayaks are made to slide with the bottom down.
Examples of kayaks that benefit from the Y Mounts are:
*most SIT-ON-TOP Kayaks
Hobie fishing Kayaks, Field & Stream Eagle Run 12, MIRAGE PRO ANGLER 360 SERIES
2 Person Kayaks
3 Person Kayaks
12' + Kayaks
Perception Tandem
& other larger kayaks
Hand Made / Wooden Kayaks
Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP)
These Y Mounts also work particularly well on vehicles that have a higher roof and/or lifted vehicles (such as a Jeep on 35" tires with a 4 " lift). With the EXR Y Kayak Mounts it may be easier in some circumstances to temporarily remove the foam padding to allow for a smoother slide. The kayak itself will find the slight groove in the Y Mount and center itself, allowing for an easier load.
The Y Mounts also work very well with Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) and Surfboards. For these lighter items, often fiberglass, it is usually easier and better to leave the foam on the mounts and simply place the boards on top. The slight bend in the Y Mount, combined with the contouring foam will allow just about any board to sit nicely with the bottom down.
You can click the Mounts into any holes available; however, if you use the outer most hole and carry the kayaks or boards past the edge of the crossbars this allows the center of the bars to be free for other items or for a J Kayak Mount, Paddle holders, Gear, etc.
To strap down Kayaks and Boards on the Y Kayak Mounts you want to use the EXR 9 foot or 12 foot strap - one for each Y Mount. The strap should start UNDER the crossbar itself at the inner side of the kayak/board (side closer to center of vehicle). Then both ends of the strap come straight up, then over the kayak/board toward you (outside edge). Then the end of the strap without the buckle should wrap around the lip on the edge of the Y Kayak Mount and feed up through the buckle. When all the slack as been removed, pull down on the strap and push up on the kayak at the same time. This will remove any slack and tighten the kayak/board down.
It is the installers decision as to whether the front and rear of the kayaks and boards need to be secured down. In these instances they prevent the items from shifting forward or backward. In some instances, for example on kayaks that have a hole in the middle, a professional installer may run the strap through the kayak/board itself and mitigate any chances of the kayak/board shifting forward or backward. If you are not a professional kayak roof top installer we recommend you use front and rear straps as well. See video of Y Kayak Mounts being used here.