I built some wooden J-cradles about 6 years ago. They fit the contours of my Guillemot perfectly and could clamp right to the factory roof rack on my Sienna (and later Ridgeline). Having used them for so long I find myself now grabbing for foam blocks. They slide right over the bars on the rack and can handle just about any kayak I throw on them: hardshell, SOF, upside down, whatever. Of course, the trailer is more handy!

One thing with J-cradles: have someone hold the boat until it's strapped down. After a long day of paddling the Connecticut River in Northern NH with some friends, I threw my Guillemot onto the J-cradles. I got called away before I could lash it down. A gust of wind took the boat and dumped it on the ground. It's about a 5 foot drop off a minivan roofrack. Luckily the boat was fine. I just had to pick a few grains of sand out of the varnish. Unluckily the driver's side exterior mirror took the brunt of the impact. It was dangling by the wires that control the mirror. I had a one-hour drive so I duct-taped the mirror in place. When I got home I epoxied it back together (handy stuff that marine epoxy!).

What's kinda funny is my wife ripped the passenger-side mirror off completely just a month before backing into the garage. She said we were even.

=D

Quick question. Any compelling reason to load you boats on a roof
: rack upside down, right side up or on J cradles? Each boat is
: different or course and some may not fit one way or the other.
: Just curious if one way stands out as better as in safer or more
: fuel efficient? Or for some reason is better. Looks like a toss
: up to me. I would think upside down might be more aerodynamic
: and J's look the worst. Mostly just curious and trying to decide
: if I want build J-cradles or not.

: BTW I asked on P-net for the comedy factor. Expect better answers
: here.