Has anyone tried the Thule 854 Water Slide Mat!

[jeremiad]

I couldn't resist ordering the Thule 854 Water Slide Mat along with the Yakima EvenKeel saddle system from ORS. For $27, it seems like a great investment in protecting my new car during loading/unloading.

My Heritage Redfish 12' Angler is too large and heavy for me to load singlehandedly on my Subaru Forester in any way but flat. In the past, I have always thrown a rubber floor mat on the back of the car, allowing me to slide the kayak up and onto the rails.

Now that I have a new Forester (the 2010s are much higher) I don't want to take chances scratching the finish if I can help it. It looks like this mat will help do the trick.

Has anyone tried one of these?

[rush_60]

Joel I just use a trailer so...no. I've never even seen this product but sounds like a good deal for protecting your car. You ever seen the hullivators? Now those are nice, but I think the people at thule think so too because they arent cheap

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[jeremiad]

Yes, Casey, I did look at the Hullivators, but Yakima now has the Bowdown that really looks like a great deal...but, my kayak is far too heavy to lift onto the side of the vehicle.

It's hard enough to load from the back, but at least I only have to lift half of the weight of the boat; this allows me to load the boat loaded, flat onto the top of the car. The flat-saddle system would be the best choice in this instance--one boat, flat on top.

Since I cover the yak for transport using a Danuu cover, I can fill the boat to capacity with fishing gear without loading up the cargo space in my vehicle--great for long and/or family trips! I load and unload the boat with only essential gear still onboard, however.

Thanks for the response, Casey. I've been out of touch for a few months...

[rush_60]

I've been out of touch for a few months...

Well don't stay away for so long. The kayak forum seems to have its ebb and flow. You'll get a bunch of post for a week and then nothing for a month.

[jeremiad]

Yeah, I've kinda noticed that! :eek:
I was one of the initial "whiners" that got this forum going in the first place! I suppose that we need to keep this forum active or, the way things are changing 'round here, this forum might just disappear...

[goshawk]

I have not tried the water slide mat.... but just to post something to let folks know I'm alive... my plans are to put together a small trailer that I jokingly refer to as my first RV.

I plan on having it to hold my Yak, but also store my fishing and camping gear as well.

The reason for this is that I am a pack rat and spend an hour or two trying to get ready each and every time I want to go fishing. With this new concept, I should be able to just hook up and go when I'm ready.

I have an old trailer that needs a new leaf spring on one side some tire work, some paint etc. but I hope to have this baby on the road within the next couple of months.

Pat

[moav81]

I sell both Thule products and Yakima products at work. Both top notch products. Let me know what you think of the products you use from them and I can pass the information onto my customers.

[jeremiad]

I sell both Thule products and Yakima products at work. Both top notch products. Let me know what you think of the products you use from them and I can pass the information onto my customers.

Well, I can vouch for Danuu, if you sell their covers. I will certainly let you know how the other products work if the UPS man ever shows up...:fingers-crossed:

[jeremiad]

I sell both Thule products and Yakima products at work. Both top notch products. Let me know what you think of the products you use from them and I can pass the information onto my customers.

The Thule Water Slide Mat is cool! It works so much better for rear-loading a vehicle than using a floor mat. Having a new 2010 Subaru Forester, I would rather not take chances on scratching it up, something I did all too much on my 2003 Subaru Forester! :shame:

The slide mat is about 2' x 3' in size, rolls up with velcro straps when not in use, and the velcro straps hold the mat to the rear crossbar when in use. A rubberized underside keeps the mat in place against the vehicle, but a felt-like upper layer makes the kayak slide easily.

I loaded the kayak dry, and was concerned that the mat was so lightweight that it would slip. It didn't even budge--it worked outstandingly well! For under $30, it's a worthwhile investment, especially if it saves you hundreds in auto repairs.

The Thule 854 Water Slide Mat is destined to become an essential tool in my kayak transport arsenal!