Hi all
Not really SUP but could have some cross over.
My 80 year old Dad is having trouble with his strip plank timber kayak, namely, getting it on and off the roof. When it's home we have a pulley system that lets him lower it from the garage roof onto the car but getting on and off at the beach is too hard.
He wants to build something where he can lift the nose up onto something then roll it up onto the roof racks. With some of the ingenuity that I've seen here I'm sure that some one has thought out a solution to a similar problem. Maybe getting race boards onto high van racks or similar.
Thanks
Jethrow
I have seen a trailer boat winch bolted to the front roof rack. So boat can be pulled up from the back. The clips where off a Thule rake system.
Your Dad needs you there helping him.. or doing it for him... 80yrs old.. wow!
Tell him don't be afraid to ask someone for help.. There is usually someone around and 99% of people would be glad to help.. I've had to ask a few with getting my 17' DW board on and off my car on a windy day and everyone has been happy to help me.
Jonathan made a very cool rack that let him mount his board on the side of his car and then lift it up and slide onto the roof.. Something like that would work for him.
DJ
My dad has a canoe which he gets on and off his 4x4 by himself. On the front rack an arm folds out at the rack height but over edge of the car, which he puts the end of the conoe on, the other end is then lifted onto the rack then the end on the arm is slid on fully. If I could draw a picture it might make more sense
Check out
Thule Slipstream
Thule Hullavator
Proline RollerLoader
for some ideas.
The Thule things are very pricey, you might be able to replicate them with the right skills
Yes, Jonathan built the Thule Hullavator Kayak Loader, with the gas.
For the sake of $700, it's just as easy to buy it.... Otherwise you will be stuffing around for a day or two to get it sorted.... For me, the $700 is more appealing than frigging around for a day and spending maybe $200 anyway.... But if you have access to a workshop, and (free) stainless steel materials... Build it yourself.
www.thule.com/en-au?news_id=5
This seems ok too... as per ^^
www.prolineracks.com/rollerloader-abb-rl-kayak-roller-caddy-rack.html
I'm sure I've seen an ARB product for getting tinnies on and off roof racks,maybe chech their web site
There's a SUP guy or two with a bad back.... these systems would help them too.
Rola probably have something similar. Rola have been good to SUP people... sponsoring events, etc...
You could make a fixed system similar Thule Slip Stream, with long sticks of 20+mm Dowel, and boy scout lashing, with rope... and a cross bar... still using lashings... No bolts, no screws... just a hand saw to cut it to length.... It would cost about $15-$20.... It would look silly, but it would work! 
