EXR Y Kayak Mounts

vs.

EXR J Kayak Mounts

Below is an explanation and pictures showing the difference between EXR 'Y' Kayak Mounts vs. EXR 'J' Kayak Mounts, including the ways they can be positioned and how to secure your kayak.

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)

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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.  

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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. 

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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.  

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The J Kayak Mounts have been traditionally used with lighter kayaks.  These are kayaks that can usually be lifted by one person and side loaded onto the top of the vehicle.  J Kayak Mounts can be very convenient on vehicles with a lower roof and/or for light weight, smaller kayaks/boards.  The angles and bends in the EXR J Mounts were chosen very carefully to accommodate a very larger variety of kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP).  

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Conversely, the EXR J Kayak Mounts will work with large kayaks - though loading may require two people, particularly when loading multiple kayaks and one or two are located in the center of a tall vehicle.  The other big advantage to the J Mounts is the ability to carry a kayak along side an already full roof top compartment.  For example, if the roof top crossbars are occupied by a storage bin, grate, or roof top tent, then Offset J Kayak Mount (8-00-9861) can be clicked into the outer most hole and not interfere with the other items.  We have tested this with the largest tent we could find. But of course, this is subject to what other items are used and loaded onto the vehicle.  

The Best Way to Carry Kayaks

is to use Exposed Racks Click-In Kayak Mounts.  To use these mounts you need Exposed Racks Multi-Function Crossbars (a.k.a. Click-In Crossbars).  These crossbars are nearly identical to their cousins (the Exposed Racks Solid crossbars) with the exception that the Multi-Function crossbars have laser cut square holes cut vertically into the bars.  These square holes receive all of the push-pin accessories and universal brackets by Exposed Racks (see here).

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Crossbars come in a variety of fitments and options based on your vehicle, soft top or hard top, and the style you want.  To find the right crossbars for your vehicle click here.  

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The laser cut holes are cut in either the Standard Hole spacing for the 51" crossbars (holes are approx. 12" apart from each other) or the Offset Hole spacing used on short 48" and 40" crossbars (center holes are approx. 12" apart, and side holes are approx. 6" apart).  To see further details and pictures of this, please click here.  

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To compliment the different hole patterns, Kayak Mounts and other accessories are made with the insert push pin located in the Center of the mount for Standard holes; they are also made as Offset Mounts for the Offset side holes.  Simply put, you need an Offset Mount for the offset crossbar and the Center Mount for the Standard crossbars.  Once you have the the crossbars installed you will see that you can swap the Center and Offset in various positions to move the kayak left or right just a few inches, all the while utilizing the extremely strong mounting system and keeping the kayak or paddle board aligned parallel with the vehicle. 

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Solid crossbars do not have the added machine and labor costs built into them, so generally speaking they hit a better price point while still offering an amazingly strong and solid platform for loading up any of your gear.  The Multi-Function crossbars with the laser cut holes are just as strong of a platform with the added benefit of allowing accessories and carriers to literally just click-in.  Also, because the pieces just click-in, you can gain more real estate on the crossbar by using the end square holes and carrying the items on the roof out over the edge of the crossbar (i.e. you can carry a lot more).