Be sure to check craiglist for people selling rack systems. I got the Qtowers and the bars cheap and only had to buy the q35 clips new. Total rack cost (100 for the towers/bars, and 70 for the clips (total ripoff, but what can you do) = $170.

The kayak cradle I got at Dick's for 100 bucks and it's made by thule. 815XT i believe.

 

I've been thinking about a bike rack too, but hate installing and removing the roof rack as it's needed. I used to lose at least 5 mpg with the roof rack on without a bike on my Subaru, so fuel Econ is an issue too.

I think I've decided to put a class 1 hidden hitch on my sedan to take the bike around. $185 @ uhaul.

 

I don't leave my rack on when I'm not carrying anything. It only takes 5 minutes to put on once you have everything set up. I even put some pieces of black electrical tape on the inside edge of the door so I can line up the clips easily, no measuring!

 

*edit. Zoomed the pic on the previous page. I see where it mounts.*
Where does the rack mount on our cars? In the rain gutter? Is the rubber moulding disturbed at all?

 

UPDATE: I would like to share what happened to my yakima rack this weekend. I was traveling about 65 mph with my kayak on the roof (setup the same as my earlier post), and the whole rack plus kayak flew off the roof! The kayak was fine since it hit grass and is made of plastic, but the whole rack system is now in the trash. Luckily a buddy of mine was traveling in front of me and we were able to get the kayak in his station wagon and have a good weekend of camping/kayaking.

I've got some dents and deep scratches (the qclips actually cut into the metal right above the doors!) From what I can tell, the front roof rack came loose or was pried loose from the leverage the wind was providing. The rears I guess were on a bit tighter and the passenger side rear q-tower dented the metal above door before it broke and dugg into the metal as it flew off. The kayak also hit my trunk and dented it a little. Geico's gonna love me!

 

^ I can see why, the kyak probably scoops air and adds some severe resistance, does you gas mileage change when you have the kyak on the rack? But that sucks hard, hopefully everything gets fixed nicely.

That won't be a problem with bikes as they won't add any drag.

 

I was getting probably 15-18 MPG where I normally would get 22-25 on the highway. I could tell there was more resistance on the car so I put it in manual mode in 5th gear which according to the service manual unlocks the torque converter. With the trans in normal auto mode i could tell it was going lock-unlock-lock-unlock way too often, so I just made the car's mind up for itself. Even if I had a roof rack that would stay on, I don't think I could recommend the kayak cradle system to carry kayaks on a car like the G35. Yes, it's easy to load and unload the kayak and strap it down, but I think the wind profile is way too much of like a boat's sail.

 

Yea definitely, there is some major added resistance there.

Maybe next time wrap the kayak in saran wrap so no air gets scooped inside?

 

I dunno, I don't think the G will be carrying kayaks anymore. I can't just keep paying comprehensive repair deductibles every time a gust of wind hits it. I was so very lucky the kayak drifted to the left into the grass. I could have seriously injured someone or someone's car if it had flown straight back behind me.

I think i'm going to be shopping for a outdoor dedicated vehicle in the near future. Something with a built in roof rack or a bed long enough to secure a 10ft kayak.