Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak Stands

        My "stand" doubles as a truck-top rack for the canopy of my Toyota.
I built a "ladder" out of 2x4, each rail about 6' with  three 17" cross
beams of 2x4. Fit yours to your beam. . . The rails are covered with large
diameter water-pipe insulation which I glued on with Liquid Nails, but I
don't think they need glue. 

        This "ladder" rests on the ladder rack of my pick-up canopy. The end
2x4's provide cleats that position the rack fore and aft on the rack. I have
a 2x4 "lug" that runs over the top of the rear cross beam on the ladder rack
so that as I slide the boat on the rack from the rear, the gel-coat is
protected from the hard metal edges of the rack. Loading the boat is a
matter of sitting the bow between the rails and sliding the boat onto the
roof from the rear. No worries about aligning the "second cradle" because
the rails run full-length of the hull. 

        Once the boat is in place, I run tie down straps (Deluge nylon) over
the boat and  secured to the ladder rack on the truck. This rack provides a
long bearing surface for the boat to ride on and lots of friction in the
"cradle" so the boat doesn't shift. The insulation on the rails allows
plenty of cushioning so that the boat can be cinched down tight on the rack
without creating any pressure points. I don't secure a line fore or aft, and
the boat has never shifted even slightly in thousands of freeway, rough road
and tight corner miles. I've even packed a second boat leaning on edge
(plastic hull) against this rack with the tie-downs running over both boats.
No shifting. 

        I painted the wood with exterior latex house paint because that's
what was sitting around in the shop. The wood needs a weatherproof finish. I
sit this rack on the driveway and use it for working/washing/waxing the
boat. Easy to position the hull upright, upside down or on edge. If you're
working on edge, use tie-down straps to hold the hull in place. 

        Finally, this carrier sits on the ladder rack without any fasteners
other than the tie downs. When I'm launched, the rack comes off the roof and
gets locked inside the canopy. The whole set-up is 6' by 8" by 20" and
weighs maybe 20 lbs. It stores on end in the garage. Mine cost me about
$15.00 not counting the tie-down straps. 

        Geo. 

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