I’ve been racking my 15 yr old Scupper Pro on my 18 yr old Subaru Legacy Outback (they didn’t make actual Outbacks back then).  Like the yak and car, my body isn’t getting any younger.  The Scupper Pro is 14′ 9″ and close to 60lbs wet, which is light compared to modern fishing kayaks, but getting harder to hoist onto the rack after paddling for 4 hrs.

Turns out Thule makes a sliding pad and cradle system so old paddlers don’t have to clean and press their yaks.  You put a protective mat on the back of your car, lean the bow of yak on the mat with the stern on the ground and push the yak onto the rear pads that swivel and allow the yak hull to slide through.  The two front cradles are set to hug the hull snugly.  Resting the yak on the back of the car really takes the pressure off a stiff back.

Found the discontinued version of the Thule Glide and Set system on eBay and a cosmetic blem version of the Thule Waterslide mat on Amazon at great prices and the system really did make racking and unracking a breeze. Hopefully I’ve added 10 more years to my kayak fishing career.  As added bonuses, the yak sits more securely when strapped onto the rack, and I can open the hatchback while the yak is on the raised pad.