Im looking in to the Mont blanc rack. I have a 75lbs wilderness systems fishing kayak I need to haul around. About once a month I head up north on a 385 mile fishing trip. Would you you feel safe with the kayak up on the mont blanc? weight wise I don't see a problem. Im worried about the wind and weight combined. I am considering the factory rack also, mainly because it is cheaper, and sturdier. But I absolutely hate the little caps when the rack is off the car. Bottom line is do you guys have faith in your mont blanc?

I used to have carry a 11ft paddleboard on mine. As long as you have good tie downs it should be fine. The one issue, as I found out the hard way, is that if you leave the rack on a long-ish amount of time dirt can get trapped under the rubber pads, which can rub on the roof paint. I think the Mont Blanc racks are pretty solid, but they can shift v.slightly over the course of several trips with something on the roof that catches the wind.

Never had a problem with my 11' longboard

I carry my 14" fiberglass tandem kayak no problem with my mont blanc rack. I'll post up a photo when I'm on my other computer....

Great, sounds like you guys are pretty comfortable with them.

Carried both of ours (10.5 and 12') at the same time on mine for two hour trips and never had a worry.

I'm most likely going to buy it. My kayak is a Wilderness Systems Ride 115, its real wide and has a unique hull design where kayak cradles won't work, I was planning on running straps through the scuppers. I'm also going to need to run bow and stern straps. What do you guys use to protect your paint form rubbing straps?

i have never strapped the front down... i put bar covers on the roof rack and rachet scrap the kayak to the roof strap with 2 straps... never broke loose on me and i've driven a few hours with it.