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The Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack system received the Silver Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA), one of the most prestigious, global awards for innovation in product design. The all-new 897XT Thule Hullavator replaces the previous 897 Hullavator design with new enhancements and now offers greater kayak size capacity and protection with a more robust latching mechanism.
The Hullavator kayak rack system is a lift-assist system that brings the load platform down to your level and enables anyone to load and unload any type of kayak without assistance from anyone else. For many solo and tandem kayak paddlers one of the biggest challenges they face isn't on the water, but the loading of their boat on their vehicle's car roof rack. The 897XT Thule Hullavater kayak rack lift system functions without any contact to the vehicle and dramatically reduces traditional loading height by more than 3 feet, simultaneously reducing the power needed to load a kayak to the vehicle's roof rack. The gas-assist struts lift 90% of the boat's weight!
The Thule Hullavator mounts directly to all of Thule Racks load bars (including square, elliptical Rapid Aero & Xsporter truck racks) and Yakima Racks round cross bars. Only takes up approximately 25 inches of load bar space so other gear carriers (or a 2nd Hullavator kayak rack) can live next to it on the roof rack load bars at the same time. Everything is included for a complete kayak carrier system with gas-assist struts, boat cradles with padded support, mounting hardware, boat straps, and ratcheting bow/stern tie downs all included. Please note that the Thule 897XT Hullavator is not compatible with factory roof racks. Locks to the base rack load bars using a two pack of Thule locks (not included; see accessory add-ons below).
- Works with all types of kayaks including touring, sit-on-top, tandem, whitewater, sea & recreational kayaks etc.
- The Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak carrier reduces lift height required to load and unload a kayak by three feet!
Reduces effort required to lift kayak with gas assist shocks that help raise boat onto the vehicle roof rack. gas-assist struts lift 90% of the boat's weight! - No need to reach top of vehicle to secure boat to carrier – kayak strapping is easily done with carrier in down position.
- Thule Hullavater offers superior boat protection with cradles and integrated padded support.
- Mount side by side with other gear carriers (or a second 897XT system) as the carrier only requires approximately 25 inches of roof rack load bar space.
- Everything is included for a complete kayak carrier system with gas-assist struts, kayak cradles with padded support, mounting hardware, boat straps, and ratcheting bow/stern tie downs all included.
- Attaches to all of Thule Racks load bars (including square, elliptical Rapid Aero & Xsporter) and Yakima Racks round bars. The Thule Hullavater is not compatible with factory roof racks.
- Locks to the base rack load bars using a two pack of Thule locks (not included; see accessory add-ons below).
- Easy to follow Thule 897XT Hullavator installation instructions manual included.
- Thule Racks Lifetime Warranty!
» Thule Hullavator Installation Instructions
» Thule Kayak Racks Comparison Chart
Thule 897XT Hullavator Kayak Rack Resource Wall
Product Reviews
Read the reviews below to find out what other customers are saying about the Thule 897XT Hullavater kayak rack system.
Contribute Your Review of the Thule Hullavator Kayak Carrier |
Get on the water fast!
this Thule 897XT Hullavater review by Jon & Ann
vehicle year/make/model: 2006 Chevy Silverado
item(s) transported: Two 18'6" Sea Kayaks
Easy install and we could not be happier with this Thule product. They take a little getting used to but they make loading and securing your boats a snap. Some one offered to load our boats for us at the takeout! Get the locks while you're at it.
Couldn't live without it
this Thule Hullavator review by Maria Quintana
vehicle year/make/model: 2004 Jeep Cherokee
item(s) transported: Kayak
I am single and rather small, and I can say that without the Hullavator, I couldn’t paddle alone, simply because I can’t get the boat on the roof of my Cherokee without help. It was certainly a big investment for me, but one that has paid off. I would recommend it to anyone who paddles alone and has trouble lifting a heavy boat up high. Fortunately I already had a Thule rack system on my roof as it won’t work with factory bars. The device isn’t without a few quirks however. You need to make sure it is locked when down or it will spring up which is startling more than anything. The other thing is that is tends to whistle rather loudly, but fortunately, the whole thing can be removed by simply pulling out a pin on each of the arms. Again, without the Hullavator, I could only paddle with others, which would limit how often I go, and I like to go as often as possible.
Thank You Thule
this Thule Hullavator review by Ken and Linda
vehicle year/make/model: 2007 Chevy Tahoe
item(s) transported: Kayak
I'm generally not one to write reviews, but I felt obligated to let the world know about the hullavator. It is by far the best lift assist product currently available for kayaks and it is a life saver. We're getting on in our years and my wife and I are not able to lift heavy objects over our heads such as kayaks, but we're still perfectly able to paddle them. We were thinking of selling the boats for the sole reason that transporting them and lifting them was too difficult, but a friend recommended we look at the Hullavater. We soon realized that with its help, we could continue to paddle, so we bought two, and we have been nothing short of elated. Thank you Thule!!
Product Discussion
Discuss the Thule 897XT Hullavater kayak rack lifting assist system. Use the form below to fire away with your questions, answers and general comments about this product. |
Product Videos
ORS Racks Direct Demonstration Video & Review featuring the Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack. Movie shows features including how the gas lift assist lowers loading height by more than 3' compared to traditional kayak carriers, drastically reducing the effort required to load a kayak to the vehicle's roof rack by 50%. Thule 897XT Hullavator mounts directly to all Thule Racks load bars (including square, elliptical Rapid Aero & Xsporter truck rack crossbars) and also Yakima Racks round crossbars. Includes all components for a complete kayak rack system with gas lift assist, padded support cradles, mounting hardware, pair of securing straps, and pair of ratcheting bow & stern tie down straps. The Hullavater kayak rack system will lock to base rack crossbars using a 2-pack of Thule locks (not included; sold separately).
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Customer Installation Pictures
Proud current customer with ORS Racks Direct? |
» all Thule Hullavator Customer Install Pics
Accessories
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Thule Locks for Car Racks Including Bike Ski Snowboard Kayak Canoe Locks | | SteelCore Straps - 12' Steel Core Locking Straps for Roof Racks |
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Lashlock Car Roof Rack Locking Systems - Looking for kayak locks, canoe locks or surfboard locks? - The Lash Lock is your answer | | Canoe-Kayak Lasso Security Cable System - Kayak Lock / Canoe Lock for Roof Racks |
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Thule Boat Accessories for Kayak & Canoe Car Racks | | Malone Garage Wall-Mount Racks - 2009 Malone JDock Hybrid Kayak Hanger & Multi-Gear Storage Rack - MPG317 |
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Wall Kayak Hangers - 2009 Riverside Kayak Hanger (also a sailboard, surfboard & ladder hanger) | | Thule Spare Parts & Replacement Parts for All Thule Racks |
Thule Roof Rack Accessories - 2009 Thule 232 Step Up Wheel Step |
ORDERING NOTES
Thule Hullavator includes everything for a complete kayak rack attachment system with lift system, padded support, mounting hardware, boat straps, and ratcheting bow/stern tie downs all included.
Attaches to all of Thule Racks load bars (including square, oval Rapid Aero & Xsporter pickup truck rack) and Yakima Racks round base rack bars. The Thule 897XT Hullavator is not compatible with factory roof racks.
Can lock to the base rack load bars using a two pack of Thule locks (not included; see accessory add-ons above).
We recommend either the SteelCore lock straps, Kayak Lasso or the Lashlock kayak lock system (not included; see accessory add-ons above) to protect your boat from theft.
QUICK ORDERING SOLUTION
Alternatively, we suggest using our easy Thule Racks automated fit guide to quickly order the correct Thule roof rack base system and/or kayak carrier if you don't currently have one installed:
