Picking up my first mini R60 on Saturday and I'm thrilled! I want to get roof racks on so I can transport my kayak. Anyone know the best racks for transporting a lake kayak (Tsunami 14.5)?

 

The OEM base system works really well. There are lots of specialized carriers and holders that you can purchase as well. See link

http://mini.sewellparts.com/accessor...60SX-2012.html

 

Thanks for the link Brad!

 

Congrats on the CM! I am typically a Yakima rack fan (with kayak racks, surf board, bike, and luggage racks), but unless it has changed in the last six months, Yakima does not make a rack that attached to the CM. I believe Thule does. I ended up buying the Mini rack from the dealer when I purchased since they were willing to negotiate a matched price with what I found online. (Also, I noticed multiple dealers often have a 10-20% discount often to move their inventory). Of course, the Mini rack ONLY works with Mini CM and you will not be able to use on another Mini (I had the same issue with a BMW 3 series rack that only worked with a 3 Series--nothing else)


That said, none of my older Yakima attachments fit the wider Mini bar (other than the luggage box--which fits--and is why I bought the Mini rack). The older Yakima racks used round cross bars and Thule used square ones. But newer attachments are made to work with the wider bars.

 

I just installed the factory Mini racks, mainly for my kayak. I have the Thule Hull-a-Port holders which will allow me to carry two boats, but for one, laying the kayak upside down and a couple cinch straps was so easy.
The racks mount is 5 minutes and the boat another 5 minutes. It could not be easier.

 

Have Thule bars with Yakama "J" cradles on the Rack and Roll trailer that are a lot easier than lifting to the roof and unloading after each trip. During the season we leave the boats on the trailer in the front of my side of the garage and there is still room for my R50. We can hook up to the R60 and be gone inside 15 minutes

 

Nice, what kind of hitch do you use?

 

Mini Fini hitch works very good and virtually invisible when not in use

 

Photos of MINI FINI hitch install.

 

I use the mini OEM bars with the Malone folding carriers. Works well, but you will need longer mounting bolts for the Malone. Looking for a way to mount them using the slots in the crossbar, instead of bolting around them.