Saddles with Locks for a 95 Pound Kayak on a 2016 GMC Acadia

Question:

I purchased the INA446, MY QUESTION IS WHAT ABOUT THE ANTENNA ON REAR ROOF? IM IN A PICKLE. WHAT DO I DO, ANTENNA IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.....

asked by: Glenn T

Expert Reply:

Your best bet is actually the saddle mounts. Unfortunately, there's no good J-Style racks that are locking and will have the weight capacity for your kayak. Saddle mounts directly transfer the weight to the bars, so they are a lot easier for fitting heavier kayaks.

I have two saddle-style recommendations for you that include locking features and can support the weight of your kayak.

The first is the Inno Locker, part # INA446. This is a strap-down carrier that will carry the kayak hull down on pads on the roof. Its primary advantage over other carriers is that the rack's straps and crossbar mounts are locked with the same key, providing security to both your kayak and the carriers themselves.

Additionally, the Inno Locker can be loaded from the side or rear, giving you flexibility in how you get the kayak onto your vehicle.

Conversely, the Rhino-Rack Nautic series, offers locking saddles, but no kayak lock. The big advantage of these saddles is their various load-assist capabilities provided by their pivoting saddle heads.

There are two versions, a side loading, part # RR570, which loads over the side of the vehicle and is much better for short vehicles, and a rear loading, part # RR571. I personally like the rear loading variation a little better for your 2016 GMC Acadia because of the height of the vehicle, and that the pivoting heads will let you better support the weight of the kayak as you get it onto the vehicle.

Both of these racks fit crossbars up to 3-1/2 inches wide by 3-1/8 inches tall. The Inno Locker has an adapter kit as part # INISF722 that will adjust it up to 2 inch tall crossbars, and the Rhino Rack Nautic series naturally fits up to 3-7/8 inches wide by 1-3/8 inches tall. It does not have an adapter available for larger bars.

I also recommend Malone's Quik-Lash loops, part # MPG308 to add easy to use mounting points for your bow and stern tie downs, limiting the risk of damage to your vehicle and making it all around easier to use your vehicle.

I've included videos of both of these rack series so you can compare their features and performance and make the best decision for your kayak.

expert reply by: Jacob W

Glenn T.

10/26/2017

I purchased the INA446, MY QUESTION IS WHAT ABOUT THE ANTENNA ON REAR ROOF? IM IN A PICKLE. WHAT DO I DO, ANTENNA IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.....

Jacob W.

10/26/2017

You'll want to mount the kayak to the left or right of the antenna and change the orientation of the crossbars slightly. You can adjust the 2016 GMC Acadia's factory crossbars by loosening the thumb screw on the crossbars and then sliding them forward or backwards. I would set them as far forward as possible prior to installing the Inno Watersport, part # INA446. Then when you install, you'll want to put the carrier's nearest side as close as possible to the connectors on the roof rack as possible, and the kayak should rest with a few inches of clearance for the antenna. According to my research, Your kayak appears to be 36 inches wide at its widest point, and a little over 24. Since your antenna is centered, and your vehicle is 79 inches wide, it should sit at about 36 inches to its center, and probably 33 to 34 inches to the outside of its mounting point, so the tapered rear end of the kayak shouldn't contact the antenna at all. The Kayak should not be heavy enough to damage the antenna during normal loading unless you set the kayak directly onto the roof antenna while loading. Looking at the vehicle, you may also need part # INISF722, which will add longer bolts to your carrier if you have crossbars that are taller than 1-1/8 inches tall.