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THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System
Item: 3664120 Product Description >
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THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System
Height is no longer an issue! This Thule carrier actually lowers down, enabling anyone to load and unload a kayak from their vehicle. With a more robust latch mechanism, the improved Thule 897XT Hullavator offers greater boat capacity and protection than the previous 897 Hullavator model.Features/Benefits:
- Accommodates kayaks up to 36-inches wide with improved cradle design
- Stronger, more user-friendly latch mechanism ensures carrier stays down when loading/unloading, and securely on roof for transport
- Thule Hullavator reduces lift height required to load and unload a kayak by 40 inches
- No need to reach the top of your vehicle to secure boat to carrier - boat strapping is easily done with the carrier in the "down" position
- Superior boat protection with integrated padded support
- Side vehicle loading
- Mount side-by-side with other accessories - Hullavator lift system requires only approximately 25 inches of load-bar mounting space
- Includes lift system, integrated padded support, mounting hardware, and all straps necessary to transport one kayak
- Mounts to Thule square, Thule Aero, and Yakima round bars (no adapters required)
- Please consult the Thule Rack Finder to match the correct Thule parts with your vehicle
- Looking for a boat carrier that allows for rear vehicle loading, factory cross-bar compatibility, and adjustable roller and saddles (fore/aft)? Check out the 887 Thule SlipStream, item #210244282.
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THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System
Weight Limit 75 lb. Load Assist Design Yes Fits Thule Aero Bars Yes Fits Factory Racks No Shipping Surcharge Yes Mount Position Horizontal
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Easy to use (9)
- Rugged (6)
- Functional (5)
- Durable (4)
- Easy to install (4)
Cons
- Heavy (5)
Best Uses
- Suv's (6)
- Kayak / canoe / rafting (5)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Intermediate (4), Advanced user (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (6)
Reviewed by 16 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
- Functional
- Rugged
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Kayaking
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
I have owned two sets of Hullivators for three years and use them year round in Florida and in the North East. I belong to two kayak clubs and when the members saw how easy it is to load a kayak, many went out and purchased them. They all rave about them and now call me "Hullavator Bob"!
The units go on and off the roof in seconds by pulling out a single pin, leaving only the thin support brackets attached to the Thule rack. Some wind noise is the only thing that remains.
The paint on the support brackets is the only weak point, requiring a seasonal wire brushing and re-paint if it bothers you. It does not effect performance. Make sure the bars are in perfect square alignment and the arms will go up very easily and lock into place. Save your back and buy a set or two!
Pros
- Cleans Easily
- Compact
- Functional
- Great grade materials
- Rugged
- Superb manufactured
- Well made
Cons
Best Uses
- Kayaking
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
I own the Tarpon 160i Angler…16 feet long weights 70lbs, not heavy but difficult to maneuver if you have a tall truck. With the Hullavator makes it easy and effortlessly to transport a Kayak.
The Hullivator not only is a superb product but also looks awesome... when in top of any SUV van, or truck... Specially For all the kayakers with a tall truck or vans, this is the perfect Instrument to safely and secure transport your Kayak.
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- Poor instructions
Best Uses
- For tall Vehicles
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
Could not handle getting kayak off and on car by my self. Now it is no problem. Have been ask at least 20 times were someone could get the unit.
Poor written instrutions the DVD is much better.
Not easy to remove from cross bars so I remove them also and will only take it apart when ski season starts.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
- SUV's
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
It makes hauling my husbands 13' 61 lb kayak so easy!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
- Mini Vans
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
I'm 5' tall and have back and mobility issues, with this product I'm able to load and unload my pungo 120 without help. Kayaking is one of the few sports I am still able to partake in and I get out as often as I can. I use to have to wait for help with my kayak, now I travel the country by myself. this product has given me freedom I thought I had lost. I drove over a thousand miles this past summer without problems or worry. Renting a kayak is not a good option for me because of my physical problems and I have my kayak tuned to fit me. Now I can check out waterways that I haven't been able to paddle in the past without assistance.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Inst could be better
Best Uses
- SUV's
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
I bought this for my wife - so she can load her boat solo. And she can. We have 14' boats that weigh 50+ pounds, and after a few practice runs to find a technic that works for her - it works great.
Only after installing the unit did we find that locks are an accesary, and so we had to buy them after.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Great back saver
Cons
Best Uses
- SUV's
- Trucks
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
The perfect system to prevent me from visiting the spine center. As I get older, I like to work and play smarter, not harder and the Hullavator provides one of the avenues to achieve this!
Pros
- Functional
- Rugged
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Boating
- Kayaking
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
Does exactly as promised, but lift rate (spring strength) varies per hullavator. Seem to have more drag without my sea kayaks on board, so it pays to remove them when not needed. That is fast and easy to do if you remove the Thule load bar with it, with a helper. It is pretty heavy.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
- SUV's
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
I bought this so that my wife could load a kayak on her own. This product is a homerun for that purpose. It makes it so that she can now kayak on her own. With a standard rack it was too difficult to lift overhead and load.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Adjustable
- Easy To Install
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Large Cars
- Luxury Cars
- Small Cars
- SUV's
Comments about THULE 897XT Hullavator Kayak Lift System:
Easy to install and operates smoothly. Simple to set kayak in cradle when lowered and does the lifting for you to lift the kayak onto roof. Easy to remove racks between uses (each cradle comes off as a single piece). Only con - cradle is a bit hefty for a small person to set in place in the pivot mechanism on the roof rail when replacing a removed rack on car.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-10
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