Backcountry Pilot • How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

Sometimes the most fun way to get into the backcountry, Part 103 Ultralights and Light Sport Aircraft have their own considerations.
29 postsPage 1 of 21, 2

How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

Hi, i'm from Argentina and new at the forum, I have a Vans RV-8 and a 90% RANS S-12 (with no enclosure option, only with a short windshield). Anyone here try to load a kayak (of aprox 15ft to 20ft) on a plane before? I would love if I can carry with me my kayak in my S-12. I was thinking in something under the floor, I know that sounds crazy , but for now are only ideas. 8)
I would appreciate very much if you can show me photos of their aircraft with a similar modification.

Thanks!
Bautista :)
bati23 offline
User avatar
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:27 am
Location: Rojas
Aircraft: Rans S-12.
Vans RV-8.

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

I have seen canoes, surfboards, lumber even snowmachines strapped to the bottom of Super cubs. I would think a kayak with as streamlined and light as they are would be no issue. The only problem you might have would be length.
PAMR MX offline
User avatar
Posts: 469
Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 10:28 pm
Location: Merrill Field

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

8GCBC offline
User avatar
Posts: 4623
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:55 pm
Location: Honolulu
Aircraft: 2018 R44
CFII, MEI, CFISES, ATPME, IA/AP, RPPL, Ski&Amphib ops, RHC mechanic cert, RHC SC— 3000TT

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

Welcome, and I'd love to see some pictures of your planes!
CamTom12 offline
User avatar
Posts: 3705
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:08 pm
Location: Huntsville
FindMeSpot URL: https://share.delorme.com/camtom12
Aircraft: Ruppe Racer
Experimental Pacer
home hand jam "wizard"

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

PAMR MX wrote:I have seen canoes, surfboards, lumber even snowmachines strapped to the bottom of Super cubs. I would think a kayak with as streamlined and light as they are would be no issue. The only problem you might have would be length.


Thanks for the reply PAMR. Yes, a kayak weighs about 40lb and are very stremlined. But you are right, thats the problem, I don't have 15 or 20ft of floor in my S-12. The plane have a length of 22ft aprox, but I have the radiator of the engine in the middle, under the floor. I will work on a solution, but may be the only solution will be change my kayak for an inflatable one haha.
bati23 offline
User avatar
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:27 am
Location: Rojas
Aircraft: Rans S-12.
Vans RV-8.

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

CamTom12 wrote:Welcome, and I'd love to see some pictures of your planes!


CamTom! I just created a topic of introduction with photos and others, if you want to take a look.
https://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/pilots/community-forum?p=223163#p223163

Bautista.
bati23 offline
User avatar
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:27 am
Location: Rojas
Aircraft: Rans S-12.
Vans RV-8.

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

There are many good inflatable options that are lightweight and would fit in your baggage area. I have been impressed with Innova Kayaks. I have not paddled one but I see them every year at a local paddle sport expo. The kayaks are very high quality.

http://www.innovakayak.com

Joe
twflyer offline
Posts: 236
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:13 pm
Location: Middleton, WI

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

These are very high quality, lightweight and portable:

http://www.alpackaraft.com/
Scolopax offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 1696
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:02 pm
Location: Nottingham
FindMeSpot URL: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... 4aYqSexnZC

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

Thanks for the advice guys! I will keep this in mind if I decide to switch to an inflatable one.
bati23 offline
User avatar
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:27 am
Location: Rojas
Aircraft: Rans S-12.
Vans RV-8.

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

Bautista;

I have Klondike folding kayak from Feathercraft: http://feathercraft.com/ that I carry w/ break down paddles. I probably have more storage area in my Maule than you have in your Rans, but it is an option. It handles really well and, while not as slick through the water as a Fiberglas boat,it is quite efficient. Very stable.

The Canadian $ is in the toilet right now so pricing might be decent. I am glad I bought mine before the prices soared.

As our Alaska guys can tell you more about external loads than I can, but I understand the killer issue is the disturbance of the air flow over the rear control surfaces. Weight and drag can be ok, but losing elevator or rudder control can ruin your day.

TD
TomD offline
User avatar
Posts: 1113
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:17 pm
Location: Seattle
Aircraft: Maule M5-235C

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

Do it like Ney did!


Image
Crzyivan13 offline
User avatar
Posts: 1811
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:50 pm
Location: Ohio- OI27 Checkpoint Charlie
FindMeSpot URL: https://share.delorme.com/EvanDavis
Aircraft: 1957 Cessna 182A

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

TomD wrote:Bautista;

I have Klondike folding kayak from Feathercraft: http://feathercraft.com/ that I carry w/ break down paddles. I probably have more storage area in my Maule than you have in your Rans, but it is an option. It handles really well and, while not as slick through the water as a Fiberglas boat,it is quite efficient. Very stable.

The Canadian $ is in the toilet right now so pricing might be decent. I am glad I bought mine before the prices soared.

As our Alaska guys can tell you more about external loads than I can, but I understand the killer issue is the disturbance of the air flow over the rear control surfaces. Weight and drag can be ok, but losing elevator or rudder control can ruin your day.

TD


Yes, I was thinking of Feathercraft , they look very nice and are great kayaks, but the price is too expensive for me now, start at 3000. Maybe the Innova could be an option, not seem so bad and start at $ 500 .

I was seriously considering the problem of disturbance of the air flow over the controls . I'd rather get something inflatable or folding rather than an unnecessary risk on the performance of the plane.

I appreciate a lot your advice!
bati23 offline
User avatar
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:27 am
Location: Rojas
Aircraft: Rans S-12.
Vans RV-8.

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

These are great ideas, I'd love to have a light weight kayak in the plane. Or/and a couple of these - I think we're going to get a couple for Christmas:

http://xterrawetsuits.com/index.php/slp/stayfit

Image
amacbean offline
User avatar
Posts: 544
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 3:22 pm
Location: Springville
FindMeSpot URL: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... 7GsCKYBvNX
Aircraft: Cessna 170b

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

Take a look at this one--saw it on Sharks a few weeks ago. http://www.orukayak.com/

Cary
Cary offline
User avatar
Posts: 3801
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:49 pm
Location: Fort Collins, CO
"I have slipped the surly bonds of earth..., put out my hand and touched the face of God." J.G. Magee

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

I carry two Kayaks with wheels installed. One caveat, I use a canoe paddle instead of a double bladed Kayak paddle (seen on right Kayak). :lol:

Image
8GCBC offline
User avatar
Posts: 4623
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:55 pm
Location: Honolulu
Aircraft: 2018 R44
CFII, MEI, CFISES, ATPME, IA/AP, RPPL, Ski&Amphib ops, RHC mechanic cert, RHC SC— 3000TT

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

Crzyivan13 wrote:Do it like Ney did!


Image


As I posted on the RANSCLAN...Seeing this just makes me cringe!!! Friggin idiot has them tied around the flaps. The photo needs the caption:
"Why Women live longer"
WWhunter offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 2036
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2005 1:54 pm
Location: Minnesota
Aircraft: RANS S-7
Murphy Rebel
VANS RV-8

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

WWhunter wrote:
Crzyivan13 wrote:Do it like Ney did!


Image


As I posted on the RANSCLAN...Seeing this just makes me cringe!!! Friggin idiot has them tied around the flaps. The photo needs the caption:
"Why Women live longer"


Really? Any fool can see he won't need to use the flaps, there is going to be plenty of extra drag from the kayaks.
daedaluscan offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 1269
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:06 pm
Location: Texada BC

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

WWhunter wrote:
Crzyivan13 wrote:Do it like Ney did!


Image


As I posted on the RANSCLAN...Seeing this just makes me cringe!!! Friggin idiot has them tied around the flaps. The photo needs the caption:
"Why Women live longer"

It does make for a great picture. But if you read his post regarding to the original, Ney just did it for the picture. He actually had the kayaks inside of his 210...
A1Skinner offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 5186
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:38 am
Location: Eaglesham
FindMeSpot URL: [url:1vzmrq4a]http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0az97SSJm2Ky58iEMJLqgaAQvVxMnGp6G[/url:1vzmrq4a]
Aircraft: Cessna P206A, AT402/502/602

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

I remember when he posted this. Ney tells a great story of his adventures. This was for a photo and story telling only.
moppready offline
User avatar
Posts: 601
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:15 pm
Location: St. Pete

Re: How to carry a Kayak onto a RANS!

A1Skinner wrote:
WWhunter wrote:
Crzyivan13 wrote:Do it like Ney did!


Image


As I posted on the RANSCLAN...Seeing this just makes me cringe!!! Friggin idiot has them tied around the flaps. The photo needs the caption:
"Why Women live longer"

It does make for a great picture. But if you read his post regarding to the original, Ney just did it for the picture. He actually had the kayaks inside of his 210...


should have put them under the wing.........with a bit of super glue and garden hose they could have doubled as long range tanks! see.....people just don't think these things through......
DrifterDriver offline
User avatar
Posts: 940
Joined: Sun Aug 25, 2013 3:37 am
Location: GOONENGERRY
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it..." HENRY FORD

DISPLAY OPTIONS

Next
29 postsPage 1 of 21, 2

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

Latest Features

Latest Knowledge Base