: Not to start "Ford vs. Chevvy" wars, but at some point I want to
: "roof rack" (verb).

: So, "Thule vs Yakima" ? (alphabetical order, no primacy indicated)
: (-: Either one seems expen$ive, though I haven't priced down to the last
: buck.
: Opinions on one person loading assist gadgets would also be appreciated, e.g.
: the Yakima Showboat.
: and of course, mail/web order deals, good/bad experiences, etc.

: tnx,

: Reg

I got the Yakima set up from REI.
Even with the 20% off (plus 6 1/4% mass sales tax) it got up to $575 (including the showboat roller loading system) for just one kayak.
The round bars are PART of the problem, the various clamping mechanisms are another part. Bottom Line; I couldn't shove a 12ft plastic kayak on from the back without pushing one of the J-racks over, sometimes two.
The J-racks {"Bow Downs" in Yakima sales-speak} are very grippy, which is good for holding the kayak once it is there, but BAD for trying to slide a kayak on or off lengthwise.

So, next day I took it ALL back and for the time being I will use a horse trailer(-:

I may try again; if I can find something like the Bow Downs, but with ROLLERS that have a grippy surface to hold the kayak vertically but allow fore/aft loading/unloading - plus BRAKES to set for actual road travel.... that would probably work.

To be fair the vehicle I am using is quite tall, a lower vehicle might make things more manageable, i.e. I could probably provide a bit of mid hull lift to jostle the kayak into the cradles if everything was a bit lower.
{I'm 6' 2" or so and the vehicle is Dodge Durango}