Hull-a-port XT 848

by  Thule

Hull-a-port XT 848 Description

The Hull-a-port XT 848 is a accessory brought to you by Thule. Read Hull-a-port XT 848 reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Check out a few other accessory recommendations below or explore all accessories to find the perfect one for you!

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Hull-a-port XT 848 Reviews

Read reviews for the Hull-a-port XT 848 by Thule as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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5

I have my hull-a-port still…

Submitted by: paddler845114 on 8/7/2020
I have my hull-a-port still 848 on a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Works so well, i just strap my Remix in and take off. No bow or stern ties necessary. 70 MPH, no problem. Rutty head banger gravel road to the put in, no problem. I’m not that tall (5’8”) so i use a small step stool to reach, but i just toss the boat into the cradle and it slots right in. Synch the straps, and i’m done. Love it. Don’t want to spend the money, but gonna buy a second one for when i need to shuttle another boat. To me it’s worth spending the money for the added convenience.
4

I have been using a set of…

Submitted by: Scottaorlando on 7/13/2020
I have been using a set of folding Thule kayak racks for several years now and decided it was time for an upgrade. The Hull-a-port XT racks are simple and sturdy in design. They install very easily and quickly and are much more secure. My previous racks had a tendency to loosen where they attached to my aero bars which always made me nervous. These new racks don't seem to have that problem and stay nice and tight. I really like how the Hull-a-port XT racks have an angle to the bottom edge that supports the kayak much better and prevents the kayak from sliding off the rack while securing the straps. I had to be careful loading my kayaks on the previous racks in windy conditions as they had the tendency to be blown off the racks. I usually had someone hold the kayaks to keep them from blowing off the racks while I secured the straps. The bottom angle of the new racks prevents the kayak from slipping off and is a huge design improvement. The Hull-a-port XT look great on my car and and catch less wind when folded down then the other racks I was using. They bounce less and really secure my kayaks well for safe travel. The only reason I don't give them 5 stars is that I find securing the straps to the aero bars of the roof rack rather then the kayak racks themselves is a bit cumbersome. The other reason these racks didn't get 5 stars from me is that my previous folding Thule racks had an area below each rack bracket designed specifically to store and hold the excess strap. The new Hull-a-port XT racks do not have this so you have to wrap the extra strap length around the aero bars and tie them off or find another creative way to keep them from flapping in the wind while you drive. With all of the excellent work that went into designing these racks I am actually surprised there was no consideration given to securing the extra strap like previous models. Overall I am extremely happy with these racks and would recommend them. I purchased the racks from Performance Kayak (www.performance-kayak.com) who have always been extremely helpful in making sure I purchase kayaks and equipment that meet my individual needs.
5

Thule rack on Thule low…

Submitted by: hts1220 on 8/11/2014
Thule rack on Thule low profile crossbars have been mounted on two SUVs and a pickup truck over the last 6 years and we have never had any problem with kayak transport. Driving on city streets and highways (and the notoriously windy Chesapeake Bay Bridge) with no issues. The yaks are rock solid.

We use Thule straps to secure the yaks to the racks, and bow and stern tie down lines for extra security. It does take a little time, but worth it to know the car and kayaks will safely get to the launch point.
We also have a set of Yakima cradles that we bought before the Thule set up. Good, but not as solid as Thule.

Bottom line: a little pricey, but worth it.

4

I used this to put my Riot…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 7/23/2013
I used this to put my Riot Edge kayak on my Subaru Forester. Nice tight hold on the kayak. However, after only a few times using the rack the foam back bottom pieces began to get loose and fell off a couple of times. Easy on and off. The tie downs were the best part. I sold the kayak and the rack went with it.

I would recommend for anyone looking to move their kayak without having to top mount it on cross bars.

4

The Hull-a-port gives you the…

Submitted by: Oregonpaddler on 1/27/2009
The Hull-a-port gives you the option of transporting multiple kayaks, albeit at a price. Three pair of Hull-a-ports ain't cheap.
I have had three of these cradles on the roof of a Subaru wagon and we were glad to have them. One caveat,however. If you have a roto-molded plastic boat, you risk denting the hull if the lashing straps are too tight, and at freeway speeds you do want the lashing straps tight. Most plastic boats rebound in the sun after being dented but....some don't. It takes some finesse to get the kayak on it's side and wrapping the strap around the bar, but overall this is a nice product if you need to fit more than a pair of boats on your Geo Metro.
4

They work great for carrying…

Submitted by: johnc_3001 on 4/25/2008
They work great for carrying 2 kayaks on a vehicle, but it is hard work getting even a 45 lb. kayak up on these j-hooks, on top of a small SUV. We have almost had the kayaks fall off while loading. Also, racks are very noisy when no kayak is strapped in.

I would opt for a lower profile kayak rack if I only needed to carry one kayak.

5

We purchased two sets of the…

Submitted by: islandgirl13 on 3/25/2008
We purchased two sets of the 835XT J-Hooks to carry our new kayaks home in December. We also purchased the Thule roof rack system even though the j-hooks would have fit the factory rack on my Chevy Tahoe. I wanted the stability of the Thule rack considering the travel distance from home to any water location will require highway travel. I like the j-hooks and feel secure with our kayaks mounted on the Tahoe, my only beef is the whistling noise the racks make when the boats are not on the car! These are easy to use, easy to clean, store and remount when ready.
3

I've been using Thule racks…

Submitted by: paddler231462 on 3/24/2008
I've been using Thule racks on my cars and trucks since the mid-1980's. My kayak saddles (from 1987) have worked well, but I thought I would try out the Hull-a-Port. I wish I hadn't.

They are made to universally fit all bar shapes, which means they do not firmly lock on to the regular square Thule bar profile. When you try to reposition a heavy boat they tend to rotate on the bars. In addition, they are super tall so even my little Audi wagon has trouble fitting in an average parking garage. Gas mileage also takes a big hit. I ended up taking them off and threw them in the corner of my garage and went back to my 20 year old saddles. This is the first piece of Thule gear that I have been disappointed in.

The new version that folds should be better. I may give those a try...

4

The "J" shaped set of…

Submitted by: nchill on 4/11/2006
The "J" shaped set of carriers enables you to carry a kayak on its side which is very handy. The carrier works very well and seems very secure, although it left black marks on the hull of my white fiberglass boat that will not completely wash off.