Does anybody use a roof mounted rack to carry a kayak on a CJ or similar Jeep? What should I be looking for or beware of? I have a soft top 1980 CJ5 and would like to be able to transport a 10' - 12' kayak.

Appreciate any real word experience anybody might offer.

Kayak? That's the first time that question has ever been asked. I got nothing.

Good tie straps to the roll bar and front window?

I have one on my Ranger.. If I wanted one on a Jeep I would make it myself and cover the cross pieces with plumbing insulation.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Been there and done that on my 76 CJ5 with a 13 foot kayak and a 17 foot canoe. CJ5,s are great but they are also short and somewhat high which means when you put a long object on the roof it can act like a sail in a crosswind. I had a couple of scary high speed {60mph} wobbles with them on the roof. The rack was homemade and fastened in 6 points, the front bumper, the rear bumper and the mirror mounts which were necessary to keep the rack stable. Solution - build or buy a trailer. Mine is short and has 35 bfg mud terrains and it feels much safer carting around my canoe and kayak.

I'd go with the buggy, something simple and easy to disconnect and stick behind the house when not in use or that you can chain to a tree or something at the beginning of a trail. Then, you can tote your canoe/kayak up on top of the CJ and set it on top of the w/s frame and roll bar. a couple pads and ratchet straps and you are along your way to the water... Safer I'd imagine than having the side-to-side wind tipping you over going down the highway.

Good luck