Carrying a kayak on top

[kayakbob]

I have a 14.5ft kayak that I would like to carry on top of my smart.
I used to carry on on top of my 74 VW Beetle.
I would have attached a pic, but for some reason, I am not authorized to post attachments.
I thought about putting a hitch on the back, then the cross bar on the frame of the car. Yakima sells what they call the Outdoorsman 300 that fits into the hitch receiver.

Bottom line: is the smart powerful enough to carry a 45 pound kayak on top?

[jwight]

There are several threads on roof racks, pros and cons. Here's one:

Yakima Rack Fitment

[bradgarbus]

The manual explicitly states "PUT NOTHING ON THE ROOF" so I am guessing it would be a bad idea... I have seen little trailers that might work...

[Trubluesue]

There's a small trailer that you can put your yakima rack on and carry your 'yak...

[mmmeat]

Originally Posted by kayakbob

I have a 14.5ft kayak that I would like to carry on top of my smart.
I used to carry on on top of my 74 VW Beetle.
I would have attached a pic, but for some reason, I am not authorized to post attachments.
I thought about putting a hitch on the back, then the cross bar on the frame of the car. Yakima sells what they call the Outdoorsman 300 that fits into the hitch receiver.

Bottom line: is the smart powerful enough to carry a 45 pound kayak on top?

You'd have to use a Yak rack that doesn't mount to the top. It appears that the one that mounts to the tridion cell is okay.

As far as the Smart being 'powerful' enough ... well, the 1974 VW Beetle had - what? - 46 horsepower? The Smart has 71. And better gearing.

Your pal,
Meat.