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The j-cradle style Yakima HullRaiser Aero kayak rack (8004038) is a universal carrier that fits virtually all types of kayaks including tandem, sea-ocean, touring, recreational, river-whitewater models & more. Best of all, the included universal mounting hardware allows the Yakima HullRaiser Aero to connect directly to virtually all base rack cross bars including factory installed roof racks, Yakima Racks, Thule Racks and Inno Racks crossbars.
The specially engineered j-cradle design uses up less base rack crossbar space than other kayak racks that transport a kayak flat, providing enough cross bar room for attaching additional Yakima Hull Raiser Aero kayak carriers or other gear carriers, even on factory racks. Includes premium padding on cradles for ultimate kayak protection. The j-style design makes it easy for just one person to load a kayak. Simply place one end of the kayak into one of the cradles, then allowing that cradle to do the heavy lifting simply place the other end of the kayak into the other cradle. Includes front and rear Yakima HullRaiser Aero cradles, all universal mounting hardware, 2 heavy-duty straps with padded buckles and a pair of Yakima Bow/Stern ratcheting tie-down straps for securing kayak front and rear during travel.
- Yakima HullRaiser Aero accepts virtually all boat sizes and shapes including tandem, sea-ocean, recreational, touring and river-whitewater kayaks.
- Effectively cradles and protects your kayak with premium soft pads.
- Because kayak is propped up on its side, it leaves more space on your base rack crossbars for attaching additional HullRaiser Aero or other gear carriers, even on factory roof racks.
- Includes two heavy-duty straps with padded buckles for secure transport. A pair of Yakima Bow & Stern tie-down straps are also included for total transport safety.
- Connects directly to all styles of base rack cross bars including factory installed roof racks, Yakima, Thule, Inno crossbars etc. - no additional adapters required.
- Transfers quickly to other vehicles too.
- Easy-to-follow Yakima 4038 HullRaiser Aero installation instructions manual included.
- Yakima Racks Lifetime Warranty!
» Yakima HullRaiser Aero Kayak Rack Installation Manual
» Yakima Kayak Racks Comparison Chart
Yakima HullRaiser Aero Kayak Rack Resource Wall
Product Reviews
Read the reviews below to find out what other customers are saying about the Yakima Racks 4038 Hull Raiser Aero j-kayak carrier.
Contribute Your Review of the Yakima HullRaiser Aero Kayak Rack |
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The Best I've Used for Factory Bars
this Yakima HullRaiser Aero review by j.bellsworth
vehicle year/make/model: 2007 Toyota 4-Runner
item(s) transported: ocean kayak
I have used j-cradle style kayak racks for years. And for the most part I've been able to carry all types of kayaks successfully. I'm glad I recently upgraded to the HullRaiser Aero model however. My boat loads the easiest of all the models I've used. The cradles are very well padded too so the kayak fits very snugly and it almost seems like you don't even need to use the straps to secure the kayak down (of course I always use the straps and definitely recommend others do the same!) The HullRaiser Aero racks appear to be very stable on all types of roads too. I've driven on highways and bumpy dirt roads with it. The mounting clamps are quick to install and they are a decent match for my Toyota 4Runner crossbars. I've never had to switch them over to another factory rack but I trust they will conform just as well due to their supposed 'universal' factory rack compatibility. Definitely recommend the Yakima Hull Raiser Aero kayak rack. For anyone looking for a premium kayak carrier and wants to save money by using a setup that mounts to their factory rack bars.
Overall This is a Superb Kayak Rack
this Yakima HullRaiser Aero review by lil' gupper
vehicle year/make/model: 2006 Volvo XC70
item(s) transported: two kayaks
I recently installed 2 Yakima HullRaiser Aero kayak carriers on my XC90 factory bars. My original reason was so that I could carry 2 kayaks on my factory bars without needing to invest in a whole new roof rack system to replace the factory rack. This would have been necessary if I wanted to carry the kayaks lying flat next to each other, as the crossbars wouldn't have been wide enough. But the Yakama HullRaiser Aero carries each kayak cradled on it's side, thereby using up much less crossbar space so you can fit two HullRaisers on factory rack bars without any issues. Be sure to go for an initial drive without the kayak loaded just to be sure everything is mounted and tightened correctly. The instructions couldn't be any easier to follow though. Also I am very pleased with how easy it is to load each kayak into the HullRaiser Aero cradles.
Love My Yakima Kayak Rack! Love the Service Too!
this Yakima HullRaiser Aero review by Dan from South Carolina
vehicle year/make/model: 2009 Ford Escape
item(s) transported: P&H Capella Kayak
First time with your company and will not be my last. Great prices and fast service. I would recommend your company to my friends.
Product Discussion
Discuss the j-cradle style Yakima HullRaiser Aero kayak rack. Use the form below to fire away with your questions, answers and general comments about this product. |
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ORS Crew says - The difference between the HullRaiser Aero and the regular HullRaiser is the Aero version includes universal clamps for mounting to any factory racks as well as any aftermarket roof rack crossbars from Yakima, Whispbar, Thule, Inno etc. (including aero-shaped Whispbar crossbars, Thule AeroBlade bars, Votex brand OEM cross bars etc.) The regular HullRaiser fits only round Yakima bars and square bars from Thule and Inno.
Christine W. asks - I have a factory rack and want to carry 2 kayaks on the crossbars. What length do the crossbars need to be to use two sets of any of the Yakima j-cradle style kayak racks?
ORS Crew answers - Great question and one we get often. So glad to get this down in writing... there are worries with using 2 sets of any of the Yakima cradle style kayak racks (BowDown, HullRaiser Aero etc.) on factory racks. With all j-cradle carriers, the measurements are just about 12", measured from the top of the upper/long support cradle over to the starting edge of the shorter/lower support (see image above). So 12 inches is really all that each cradle takes up on the crossbars. Of course if using two sets for carrying 2 boats you'll need to observe a bit of extra cross bar space for the kayak extending beyond the upper cradle so that the tops of the kayaks do not interfere with each other. But you can see you'll be fine with using two sets of the BowDown or HullRaiser Aero for carrying 2 kayaks on factory bars. (FYI, total width from the top of the longer/upper cradle to the top of the shorter/lower cradle is 18", however the lower cradle can extend out from the edge of the crossbar if needed.)
Beth S. asks - A friend of mine intends to carry two kayaks and is under the impression that she does not need to secure the front and back of the kayak with a strap attached beneath the bumper. Is this safe.
ORS Crew answers - While you see many cars with kayaks on the roof not secures to the front and rear of the car, it is definitely unsafe to not use tie-downs. They ensure the kayak is thoroughly stabilized and not susceptible to updrafts, front to back rocking (see-saw effect) and possible lateral shifting from any sudden turns etc. Most kayak racks now come with bow & stern tie-downs included. If you are worried you can't find a place to attach the straps under the car or bumper then we recommend any of these nifty tie-down holders: Yakima Anchor strap, Thule 530 Quick Loop Strap and Thule Hood Strap
Robert Clark asks - I have two sets of Yakima HullRaiser Aero carriers. I wish to keep them from from being taken off my vehicle. Will Yakima lock cores work? If so how do I install them
ORS Crew answers - The HullRaiser Aero is not designed to accommodate a lock core directly, so these locks will not work as is. However, you very likely can use the Yakima SKS locks with the Yakima Accessory Lock Housing, which is designed to attach to the end of one of the bolts on the mounting hardware on each HullRaiser Aero cradle. The catch is that whether this will work or not depends on the thickness of your factory cross bars, as you will need to have enough bolt extending beyond the clamp for the accessory lock housing to thread into. Another option is using a kayak locking cable, such as the LashLock, and wrapping it around the boat and the cradles and then around the roof rack cross bars.
Product Videos
ORS Racks Direct Demonstration Video & Review featuring the 4038 Yakima Hullraiser Aero kayak rack. Movie shows how it works with all styles of kayaks, j-cradle design for ease of loading, lightning quick strap down too. HullRaiser Aero mounts directly to Yakima Racks, Inno Racks & Thule Racks base roof rack cross bars as well as directly to factory car rack bars. The j-cradle design uses up less crossbar space than traditional kayak racks that carry the kayak flat, allowing you to attach two Hullraiser Aero kayak carriers to factory roof rack cross bars. Also includes a pair of heavy-duty securing straps as well as a pair of Yakima bow & stern tie-down straps for securing the kayak to the front and rear of the vehicle. We recommend also using a kayak lock strap system (additional accessory item; not included) with each kayak for security when the kayak is unattended on the car roof.
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Customer Installation Pictures
Proud current customer with ORS Racks Direct? |
» all Yakima HullRaiser Aero Customer Install Pics
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| 2002 Volvo V70 Kayak Rack for 2 Kayaks with Yakima Hullraiser Aero J-Cradles | |
Subaru Outback Wagon Car Rack with Yakima HullRaiser Aero Kayak Rack for Factory Bars |
Accessories
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Yakima Racks Canoe Locks & Kayak Locks - 2011 Yakima BoatLocker Boat Lock - 8007237 | | Canoe-Kayak Lasso Security Cable System - Kayak Lock / Canoe Lock for Roof Racks |
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SteelCore Straps - 12' Steel Core Locking Straps for Roof Racks | | Lashlock Car Roof Rack Locking Systems - Looking for kayak locks, canoe locks or surfboard locks? - The Lash Lock is your answer |
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2012 Thule 854 Water Slide Mat - Canoe Rack / Kayak Rack Accessory | | Yakima Boat Racks - 2011 Yakima BoatLoader for Canoe & Kayak Racks 8004018 |
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2011 Yakima MultiMounts for Carrying Oars, Masts or Paddles on Roof Racks - 8004034 | | 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
This kayak carrier connects directly to any base rack cross bars from Yakima, Thule & Inno, as well as factory installed roof racks - no extra adapters required.
We 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.
We recommend purchasing Yakima Accessory Lock Housing (not included; see accessory add-ons above) to lock HullRaiser Aero to your base rack crossbars. Each Yakima Lock Housing unit requires one Yakima SKS lock core.
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.
QUICK ORDERING SOLUTION
Alternatively, we suggest using our easy Yakima Racks automated fit guide to quickly determine / order the correct multi-purpose base roof rack system and/or kayak carrier if you don't have one already installed:
