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The all-new Yakima EvenKeel Kayak Rack (8004052) delivers an excellent design and superb price for transporting any style of kayak flat on your vehicle's rooftop. Universally mounts to not only Yakima bars but also all styles of Thule Racks load bars, Inno Racks crossbars and virtually all factory rack cross bars too - absolutely no additional adapters needed! Requires no tools to install either, simply turn knob on each saddle to tighten and secure. Also includes security bolts to deter theft of saddles. The Yakima EvenKeel kayak saddles feature Yakima Racks brand new HullFlex technology, enabling the kayak saddles to automatically conform to your kayak's hull when loaded onto the saddles and strapped down, no fussing with adjusting the saddles to fit the kayak hull. Simply slide your boat onto the saddles and all four Yakima Even Keel kayak rack saddles conform like a glove to the hull and fully protect the boat during transport. Compatible with all styles of kayaks - recreational / sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, Sit-On-Top, tandem kayaks etc. Also includes a pair of heavy-duty straps and a pair of bow & stern tie-down straps with hooks for total safety and worry-free transport.
- No tools needed for installation. Universally mounts to Yakima roof rack crossbars, all styles of Thule Racks load bars, Inno Racks crossbars and virtually all factory rack cross bars too - absolutely no additional adapters needed!
- EvenKeel saddles feature HullFlex technology, enabling the kayak saddles to automatically conform to your kayak's hull, no hassling with adjusting the saddles to fit the kayak hull.
- Compatible with all styles of kayaks - recreational / sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, Sit-On-Top, tandem kayaks etc.
- All four Yakima Even Keel saddles, two heavy-duty straps and pair of bow & stern tie-down straps with hooks included. Everything needed for hauling one boat.
- Includes security bolts to deter theft of saddles.
- Easy-to-follow Yakima EvenKeel installation instructions manual included.
- Yakima Racks Lifetime Warranty!
» Yakima EvenKeel Kayak Rack Installation Instructions
» Yakima WaterSport Carrier Comparison Chart
Yakima EvenKeel Kayak Rack Saddles Resource Wall
Product Reviews
Read the reviews below to find out what other customers are saying about the Yakima Racks 04052 Even Keel kayak carrier cradles.
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First Class In Design & Function
this Yakima EvenKeel review by Carl
vehicle year/make/model: 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette van
item(s) transported: sea kayak 17' length
The Even Keel kayak rack is a state of art system, easy to mount on the roof rack and creates a very stable and secure ride for the kayak, even in high wind conditions. I also added the Universal Yakima Showboat Roof Rack Roller System, which made it a very easy and safe action putting the kayak on or off the car (one person job).
Product Discussion
Discuss the 8004052 Yakima EvenKeel saddles kayak rack. Use the form below to fire away with your questions, answers and general comments about this product. |
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Greg T. asks - Will the Even Keel saddles fit on the TracRac truck rack cross bars? The TracRac bars are pretty wide but these clamps look like they can open really wide.
ORS Crew answers - The width is not the issue, unfortunately the clamps just won't fit around the TracRac crossbars as they are too thick. We do recommend Thule kayak racks as superb alternatives. You can then use the Thule Xadapt3 long bolts kit to attach the Thule kayak rack to the Trac Rac cross bars. The Thule 883 Glide & Set and Thule 881 Top Deck are both great options.
Bryan asks - Will this carrier fit the factory roof rack on a 2004 Ford Expedition?
ORS Crew answers - No the factory bars on the '04 Ford Expedition cannot handle the load of a kayak (check your owners manual and you can verify this). You will first need to replace the factory rack with the Yakima Control Towers roof rack system (Control Towers, LP1 Landing Pads, 48" cross bars) which easily attaches right to the factory rack tracks on the Expedition rooftop. You can also select longer cross bars if you plan to add more than one set of EvenKeel kayak saddles if you plan to carry two boats for instance.
Product Videos
Yakima EvenKeel kayak rack review video & demo by ORS Racks Direct. Demonstration movie of the Yakima Racks 8004052 EvenKeel cartop kayak rack spotlighting the carrier's HullFlex technology and its universal mounting compatibility with factory racks and aftermarket car rack cross bars from Yakima, Thule, Inno etc. The Yakima EvenKeel transports any kayak snugly and securely. Includes four EvenKeel kayak saddles, universal mounting hardware, pair of heavy-duty straps and pair of bow & stern tie downs for total kayak transport safety. Simply the most affordably priced complete kayak rack that includes a host of premium features.
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Customer Installation Pictures
Proud current customer with ORS Racks Direct? |
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1999 Chevy Tahoe Factory Rack Mount Kayak Racks using Yakima EvenKeel Kayak Saddles | | Subaru Outback Sailboat Trailer using Yakima RACKandROLL 66 Boat Trailer & EvenKeel Saddles |
Accessories
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2012 Thule 854 Water Slide Mat - Canoe Rack / Kayak Rack Accessory | | Yakima Racks Canoe Locks & Kayak Locks - 2011 Yakima BoatLocker Boat Lock - 8007237 |
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Canoe-Kayak Lasso Security Cable System - Kayak Lock / Canoe Lock for Roof Racks | | 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 | | Thule Roof Rack Accessories - 2012 Thule 232 Step Up Wheel Step |
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Wall Kayak Hangers - 2011 Riverside Kayak Hanger (also a sailboard, SUP, surfboard & ladder hanger) | | Malone Garage Wall-Mount Racks - 2011 Malone JDock Hybrid Kayak Hanger & Multi-Gear Storage Rack - MPG317 |
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All Kayak Carts & Canoe Carts for Transporting Canoes & Kayaks to the Water | | All Yakima Boat Accessories for Canoe & Kayak Car Racks |
Yakima Spare Parts & Replacement Parts for All Yakima Racks |
ORDERING NOTES
If loading kayak from the rear of the vehicle we highly recommend the Thule 854 Water Slide Mat (not included; see accessory add-ons above) for simultaneously protecting your vehicle and also gaining extra assistance when loading and unloading a boat.
This carrier mounts directly to virtually all factory racks, Yakima base rack cross bars, all styles of Thule Racks load bars, Inno Car Rack crossbars etc.
All four Yakima Even Keel saddles, two heavy-duty straps and pair of bow & stern tie-down straps with hooks included. Everything needed for hauling one boat.
Includes security bolts to deter theft of saddles. We also highly recommend the Yakima BoatLocker, Kayak Lasso, SteelCore locking straps or the Lashlock kayak lock system (all sold separately; see accessory add-ons above) to protect your boat from theft.
QUICK ORDERING SOLUTION
Alternatively, we suggest using our easy Yakima Racks automated fit guide to quickly order the correct Yakima multi-purpose vehicle base rack system and/or kayak carrier attachments if you don't have one already installed:
