Patent ID: 8479959

Claim:
A device for lifting, supporting, transporting and unloading a kayak, comprising: a. engagement means for releasably and securely engaging the coaming of the kayak; b. support means for stably supporting the engagement means and engaged kayak on an individual's shoulders; c. rotation means in engagement with the support means and the engagement means adapted to rotate the engagement means relative to the support means to permit rotational movement of the kayak during lifting and unloading by the individual; d. resistance means adapted to provide sufficient rotational resistance to significantly reduce fore and aft pivoting motion of the kayak during hands-free transport by the individual; e. a head strap mounted to the support means and adapted to be positioned securely behind the individual's head for interacting with a back portion of the individual's head, the head strap adapted for providing control of the fore and aft pivoting motion of the kayak during hands-free transport by the individual: f. wherein said support means comprises: a left hand side and a right hand side support post mounted to a left hand side and a right hand side shoulder mount, respectively; a left hand side and a right hand side setback bar mounted to the left hand side and the right hand side support post, respectively; and, a balance bar adjustably mounted to the left hand side and the right hand side setback bar for connecting the left hand side and the right hand side support post behind the individual's head: g. wherein the head strap is mounted to the left hand side and the right hand side support post: h. wherein the setback bars position the balance bar behind the engagement means; and i. wherein the balance bar is positioned to support at least some of the weight of the kayak.