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Paddlesports Foam Block Rooftop Carriers:
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A kayak is going to be better than most inflatables, and you don’t have to worry about it popping. Foam pads that go under a kayak will protect your car and allow you to transport it.
Something like this works well.
We did that for many years using something like this:
Pelican Boats - Universal Kayak & SUP Car-Top Roof Carrier Kit – PS0481-3 - Fits Vehicles – Heavy Duty & Safe https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CT4VTBJ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_TFCDDQNM66E5FQMAX3ZX
Our local boat store had them and they worked fine. Tied it down with a strap at both ends and ran one through the middle. We finally transitioned to a Thule Hullavator and it was the best purchase ever.
Are you driving?
If you're taking a car and just don't want to go through the expense of a full roof rack, you can often get cheap kits for tying a kayak to your roof. Normally it's just a couple sponges and some straps.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_i_NWWSZ9ESZV1VX121S22H
My father gave me a similar one. Think he might have gotten it at Princess Auto or Canadian Tire.
I would definitely consider used, there isn't a whole lot that can go wrong with these boats so 99% of the used ones will be perfectly seaworthy. I'd also definitely recommend a sit on top for stability while fishing, the Cobra brand kayaks seem to be much more stable than other brands due to their width and hull design. I bought my Cobra Fish n Dive on Craigslist for $350.
Roof racks can be pricey, my car is smaller than yours and I've been getting by fine using a foam block kit off amazon without a rack, however that can wear paint or damage door seals over time.
I wouldn't get a roof rack that requires modification to the roof of your car. That potentially could cause more damage than just strapping it to your roof.
I initially used this one, with the addition of additional bow and stern lines.
I just realized that you might mean something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/attwood-11438-7-Universal-Rack-Free-Supporting/dp/B003EET2OE
If so, I tried that and it didn't work well for me. I ended up just using a couple of pool noodles for a while, instead of that, because they were longer and more stable.
I would suggest at least getting some foam blocks. There are kits specially made for securing kayaks that aren’t too expensive.
Example: WOOWAVE Kayak Carrier Deluxe Carrier Kit Universal Soft Standard Foam Block for Roof Racks Car-Top Replacement with Tie-Downs, 12 inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0855JQ2MS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VWBJBEJHKJEX27XAVME1
This is the way.
I have a jeep grand cherokee. I can drive 1 hr to various places in Florida with my Kayak on the roof with a foam carrying system. I am looking into racks because as this commenter suggested, you have to do it right or else you get a horrible noise going down the road, also I use ratchet straps instead of the garbage straps mine came with. Another problem is the straps cutting into the kayak, but I probably did it wrong.
I'm usually taking my kayak out alone, and a roof rack has been great.
You can also get a kayak roof kit that comes with a couple foam pads and straps, so you can avoid a roof rack if you don't want one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_V1KT65XKH1273J2N0JTQ
These would be a worthwhile upgrade.
The combo of ratchet straps and no shaped hull support could lead to oil canning of the hulls (big pressed-in spots that can be hard to push back out). What you have works, but the purpose-built stuff works really well.
When it gets really hot, plastic can get really soft!
I ordered these from Amazon Warehouse just now for $14. Hopefully they will get me through until the Yakima are back in stock. One of the wheels wasn’t quite true when the trailer arrived so the dealer sent me a replacement. He said the “bad one” should be good enough for a spare. I kind of lucked out with that.
There was a note about the leaf springs being noisy due to their design. The manual said they can be tied up to reduce noise without affecting their operation.
Your Camry is a four door? That would improve the securement, as you could put two 'belly belt' cam straps, one through each pair of doors. Also, the suggestion below to secure the foam somehow is a good one - if your cam straps get any slack at all, the wind from a passing vehicle can lift the boats far enough that the foam can slip right out and get lost (ask me how I know this LOL).
We used a system kind of like this to transport two 12' long rec boats from Ohio up to the Boundary waters: ROOF RACK SYSTEM
But the way we did it was more home-made. We used 2x4's, cut to be wide enough for the two kayaks to go on upside down. We put the foam blocks between the car roof and the 2x4, and then ran the strap through the open door, over the end of the 2x, back through the open doors to the other side, and over that 2x - so you get a loop through the door openings, hung up on the end of the 2x4 crossbar on each side. Crank those cam straps down tight, and you'll have a solid pair of cross bars to set your kayaks on. I have a friend that did the same layout with pieces of steel black pipe.
Then, put a 'belly belt' cam strap across the two boats to the cross bar (one for each crossbar, same loop method as used for the crossbars). Tie on a line from both boats to the front corners of the car (most cars have a place to tie off under the front and/or back bumpers), and put another line from the back of the boats to the back corners of the car.
This method, if done right, can be secure enough to haul good sized loads. Periodically check the tightness of your cam straps while traveling.
Good luck.
Roof racks are great but foam blocks can be a good alternative option; they'll take a little more time to put up each time and you'll want to be careful that you don't have any dirt or other debris between the foam and the top of your car that will scratch the paint. Kits like https://www.amazon.com/attwood-11438-7-Universal-Rack-Free-Supporting/dp/B003EET2OE (that's just the first link from amazon when I searched 'kayak foam blocks') will have the foam blocks, straps (that go across the boat and strap it down to the car), and rope (for the bow and stern to tie down the ends as a back-up so you don't have a loose load in case something shifts). Lots of different kits are available, whatever brand is probably fine. You can find them online or in sporting goods stores.
You can make your own kit by buying the blocks separately or cutting your own foam and buying cam straps (not ratchet straps) and a decent rope for bow and stern lines.
attwood 11438-7 Universal Rack-Free Car-Top Kayak Carrier Kit with Supporting Foam Blocks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ugiTCbWZCJ677
This is what I used for my 2015 Nissan Altima very similar to the Accord
We used these before getting our roof rack. We had two of them on our tiny sedan. It looked a little ghetto, but held at 55mph for about 20 minutes. Way cheaper than a full on rack if you are not going to far. I would not trust them on the highway though.
Edit- They did not fail after the 20 minutes. That is just how far we had to go.
This for the roof. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EET2OE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This for the hood of the car. I popped my hood and then just used 2 existing bolts so they hang out of the hood a little. This is for the rope coming off the front of your kayak. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024ALDMS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is how I get my kayak around on my 2 door civic. Those foam blocks are set up for a v bottom kayak, but I have a flat bottom. It works but it cuts it close. If you have a flat bottom kayak get foam blocks designed for a flat bottom kayak. For the back strap I use a tie strap from the back handle at the tip of the kayak straight down under my bumper to my cars tow hook.
Thanks for that advice. I have a pair of these: www.amazon.com/dp/B0024ATXR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Gr4yAbMTXNQPE that I was thinking I could mount on two 2X4s bolted down between the two bunks. Do you think that’s a good idea? Also, I like your box idea a lot but I dont think that would fit, due to the fact that the kayak runs all the way to the steel pole and overhangs off the back. Or am I mistaken and is that still possible somehow?
Depending on the width of the kayaks you're getting, you might be able to use 2 sets of foam blocks (something like https://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Car-Top-Kayak-Carrier-Kit/dp/B003EET2OE/ ) but if the combined width of the boats is wider than the space between the rails then that won't likely be easy to use. I have seen people with a couple 2x4 bolted directly to the factory installed rails that they can then use as cross bars, I've never tried it myself so I don't know how well it actually works but it is a fairly popular DIY solution.
They sell these kayak mounting kits Here
I used one of these on a 13.5' Feelfree Lure on top of a '08 Pontiac Grand Prix for two seasons without much issue. The advice I would have is if you want make sure you don't scratch anything, put a blanket down while getting everything in place.
I bought a set on amazon for about $20 last year. I use it on my Jeep Wrangler with the soft top. I took a trip down to the Florida Keys (about 400 miles each way) with no issues at all. This is the one I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EET2OE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'm going to pick this up on Sunday to transport my new boat on my little Honda fit. Should work for you as well, and a little more comforting than a pool noodle rig in my opinion.
I've yet to use mine, but I wanted an inexpensive option for my civic hatchback and grabbed this foam block set off amazon. I figure for 23$ it's worth trying before shelling out for a expensive roof rack.
edit: Oh and this too.
I use one of these. Works decent, cheap, and fits most cars. I drive a 2 door 02 civic, just barely fits, but I can go at highway speeds with it.
Edit: I use ratchet/friction straps all around, not the bungee cords.
If you're looking to save money and/or don't want to mount a rack system on your car then you might want to look into something like that. If you strap your kayak down properly (including lines from the bow and stern of your kayak to the frame of your car - not the bumpers) then those foam blocks are quite solid and reliable.
Where there's a will there's a way. Kayaks are pretty aerodynamic, they don't generate a lot of lift to worry about, or downforce from weight. And car roof..s? are made to withstand rollovers anyway. If not an actual rack, the foam blocks work fine, they're just a pain to deal with.
Where in michigan?
I don't have that particular boat but I do have a very similar one. It's a nice enough boat as long as you're staying in slow moving or still water. It's not a fast boat and it doesn't really want to go in a straight line so you'll have to put in a little extra effort to keep it straight. On the plus side, it is a small and very light boat so you should be able to get it on top of your small car without any issue - your cheapest option there is probably to just get a set of foam blocks, something like http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Car-Top-Kayak-Carrier-Kit/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432138724&sr=8-3
You can also look for used kayaks in that price range. with a little luck, you may be able to find something a little nicer for the same price.