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I also just got my Hullavator, and I'm thrilled I can get out on the water by myself. Here are my thoughts on it:

Pros

solo loading is possible

cradle unit detaches and attaches easily, so no locking has been required

securely holds my boat regardless of distance

Cons

the lower cradle has scratched up my boat minorly during loading

locking in the down position is not great, but this problem was solved for my by pushing the top of the cradle in to engage the locking mechanism

craftsmanship isn't great, but it does the job for me

sits off over the edge a bit much, but it hasn't caused any problems for me thus far. (and with it sitting so far out, getting in and out of the car can be a head hazard sometimes)

the attachment bracket took some ingenuity and muscle on my Yakima bars, especially with a fairing on my front bars

So all in all it's a great idea, as with new product it has some kinks that I hope Thule will improve on and sort out with defects for existing owners.

I was in the market for a kayak....I had in my mind a budget of $1500 for a nice boat that could track well and work for an over-night trip or two. I had pretty much set my heart on the Tempest 170 (by Wilderness) but tested out some other boats. That's when I discovered the beauty of hard chines (hard angles on the hull, rather than a smooth round bottom). The Triton was a bit out of my budget....but after paddling it, and learning how to roll in it, I was sold. I have not looked back one bit. I am 5'6, about 125lbs and it paddles like a dream. I know that I will not be out-growing this boat. It is a 17.5 ft fiberglass/carbon fibre composite boat with a skeg. The deck profile is very similar to the Tempest. HIGHLY recommended!!!

What an utter disappointment. The saddles themselves maybe warrant a 6 rating, but my experience with the saddles as well as Yakima and the retailer has led to the 2 rating.

I researched all over about kayak carriers and was firmly convinced that Yakima Mako saddles would be the best (from customer reviews). I took the $200 plunge and bought the saddles from Marathon Sports in Toronto. At the time the sales lady was very helpful and convincing...obviously selling me on these saddles. Very excited I tried them out with my 17.5 ft boat. I was horrified after getting the boat secured and driving down my street that the boat was moving a good inch or so from the car/wind. I immediately called Yakima and Marathon, and basically was told that I'm stuck with these saddles. Both tried to pin this on my "improper" set up/use of the saddles, and would not allow me to exchange them for something else or return them. (I found it an absolute crock that I set them up incorrectly as I work at a canoe/kayak store and strap boats down on a regular basis.)

So the long and the short of things go with the Thule Hullaport instead - my boat didn't move a hair (even on the highway) and pass over Marathon. Their unhelpfulness and no return policy bites the big one.

I love this boat! I was initially looking for a mid to entry level boat that would let me have the best of both river and lake paddling....but soon realized after trying out a bunch that the Triton had everything I wanted. For a fiberglass boat its size, it's phenomenally light, thanks to the carbon fiber lining through most of the cockpit. I am 5'6" about 125 lbs, and was worried at first that this boat might be a bit too big for me to handle (and a little out of my price range). After trying out a number of boats, I found the hard chines made it very nice to maneuver, it tracked really well, and with an almost identical outfitting as the Tempest - with 2 large bulkheads and a smaller dayhatch, it made it worth the extra money. It also has a skeg, which I don't use too often, but I like knowing it's there. This most certainly is a boat that I can grow with for many years to come. I love it!