Malone SeaWing/Stinger Combo Saddle Style Universal Car Rack Kayak Carrier with Load Assist Module

I am a 37 year-old, 5’3” woman, and I bought the Malone SS Combo (SeaWing/Stinger Combo) in May 2016 from amazon.com for $197.95. I have only used it twice and it works well for my car and kayak.My car and kayak:2011 Honda Odyssey Minivan with roof rails and crossbars installed by my local Honda DealerPerception Tribe 13.5 tandem kayak (Length 13.5’/Width 33.75”/Height 17”/Weight 67 lbs)In addition to the SeaWing/Stinger Combo, I also purchased the Thule 854 Water Slide Kayak Carrier Accessory Mat from amazon.com for $39.99.My kayak is very wide, and the red straps that came with the SeaWing/Stinger Combo were not long enough. The first time I tried to strap the kayak to the carrier, I discovered the problem. I was able to buy two 1.25” X 16 ft ratchet-style straps at Home Depot for about $8 each. In my opinion, ratchet-style straps hold the kayak more securely than the straps Malone provided.I choose the Malone SS Combo because I needed a rooftop kayak carrier that could handle a very large kayak, and I did not want to buy a kayak trailer. I need my hitch for my Thule 2 Platform Hitch Bike Rack. I am aware that there are trailers that can haul both bikes and kayaks, but they are too expensive for my budget. For $715 in total, I was able to buy the roof rails and crossbars, SS Combo, Water Slide, and 2 ratchet straps.I need a second person to help me load and unload my kayak on top of my minivan. But, I think I could figure out how to load it by myself.I also need both a step stool and a ladder to secure my boat to my minivan, even when I have a second person to help. I use the ladder to secure the straps thru the SeaWings and when attaching the bow and stern lines. I use the step stool when loading or unloading the boat.Comments and Advice:Be careful setting your boat on the back of your car so you do not crack your spoiler or scratch your paint. Buy the Thule Water Slide. It really helps. In a pinch, you could use a floor mat from your car or maybe a bath mat with a rubber (non-slip) bottom, but it may move when the kayak passes over it. The Thule Waterslide has velcro straps that secure it to the rear crossbar and prevent movement.If you have a big, heavy kayak like mine, make sure to put your strap under the crossbars on both sides of your kayak. This step is not pictured in the directions, but it is mentioned at end of the directions.Watch out for your car antenna when placing the nose of your kayak into the “stinger” piece. Even though my antenna is covered by the waterslide, I’m sure I could crush it if the kayak lands on it just right.The length of the stinger is not long enough to reach the top edge of the back of my minivan, but it is close and works great.Check your straps after rain and temperature change.As I secure my kayak with ratchet straps, my kayak pushes the seawings down. That seems to be normal.Definitely use bow and stern rope lines. The bow line seems especially important to keep the nose down.Watch YouTube videos (about 3 min each): Assembly – watch the video posted by rackwarehouse.com, loading – watch the video posted by orsracksdirect.comVery easy to assemble. It comes with 4 extra bolts (longer length, if needed), which I did not use. The kit comes with very good directions and has photos for each step. I read them, but the assembly video on youtube was more helpful.My crossbars are flat. There is a square notch in the seawings, but I did not use the notch. The SeaWings worked just fine with my crossbars/sat on top of them.The SeaWings are easy to remove and store. Keep the box and directions for storage and reference.I use the red straps that came in the kit to secure my ladder and step stool in the back of my minivan so they don’t shift while I’m driving.