[Paddlewise] Safety Responsibility and Roof Racks

I have enjoyed reading the posts about roof rack attachment.  Some have made
some very good points.  All persons are interested in doing it right.

I am shocked and surprised with the lack of understanding of things mechanical
and the trust of things without redundancy by so many.

You may have the most expensive roof rack made, you have brand new straps, you
may have tied two half hitches at every point, but that is no guarantee that
you will reach your objective which is getting to your destination with your
load still attached.

Even one Kayak is enough investment to justify "going the second mile".  Think
about how much trade in value a run over kayak has.  That is assuming you
don't want to continue using the flat-yak.

There has only been one post concerning the method of securing the tower to
the roof.  That is the usual week point of the chain.  Most have overlooked
this.  The usual method is by little bitty fasteners.  Expansion nuts, clips,
self tapping screws, etc, etc. all designed to "simplify the job and prevent
having to access the underside of the roof usually covered by some type of
"headliner" that one would rather not remove.  In short, they are all
shortcuts.  A compromise at best.  And some of you "trust them"?

Several persons have been downright incensed that someone should question
their ability to "properly secure" their load without securing ropes fore and
aft.  This is plain folly.  I will agree that these ropes are a nuisance if
for no other reason, they interfere with vision.  I have noticed that
placement of these makes a difference in this respect.  You just have to
experiment.  I once moved one over 4 inches in the rain because it was in the
wrong place vision wise, but I did not remove it completely.

Others cite their "pre flight" check like they do their aircraft as their
assurance that their load is secure.  I  want to remind you that without
exception, every plane that has crashed for many, many years was "preflighted"
and every pilot that crashed did not want to, but it still happened.

This is a horrible attitude.  It shows total disdain for your fellow motorist.
The little child strapped into their seat by a thoughtful mother does not
deserve to have your kayak decapitate them or tomaim for life.  Not at all.

This year it will flood deeper than ever remembered somewhere on this earth.
A hurricane will destroy homes never before destroyed by all the hurricanes in
history.  A tornado will destroy lives in communities that have never had one
before and somebody will be hurt or killed by a rooftop load that was not
secured properly.  Don't let that somebody be you because of self imposed
vanity.  The thoughts you will have to live with the rest of your life are not
worth the macho bravado that some possess.

If you like to live close to the edge, do it.  If you enjoy safe sports, do
it.  If you only take up new challenges after "proper instruction by a
certified instructor" then do it, but don't practice your bravado on the
public highway you share with others who don't share your love of kayaks
enough to want one through their windshield.

My observations of roof loads are that canoe owners secure their load much
better than kayak owners.  I don't know the reason, but from reading these
posts, I get the impression that "coolness" has a lot to do with it.  Like "I
know how to keep it on with minimum attachments".  Folks, this is not good for
us as individuals or as a group.

Think about this.  What if they outlawed carrying boats on roofs?  You think
it won't happen?  Try driving without your seat belt attached.  They outlawed
that didn't they?  Made it pretty expensive too!

We as a group have to not only be responsible, but we have to look
responsible.  The mere fact we even own such a "little boat" suggests mental
impairment.  Do your share of passing on an image of at least appearing to
care enough to other motorist whether you do or not.

To those of you who have shared your acts of "going the second mile" in
securing your roof loads, thank you for passing that idea along.  I am sure
others are listening, but I don't think they hear what you are saying.  Just
keep on saying it.  

If you like taking risks, then do so where you will be the one to suffer the
consequences, not innocent people.

I am sure of the need for some reading this to "flame that guy".  If so, fire
away!  You cannot insult me even if you try.  And you cannot persuade me to
tie on my load with less vigor than I already do.  The life of your child or
somebody elses is worth the extra effort to me.  I worked too hard for the
money to buy my boats and I think too much of you to let one fall off and hurt
you or somebody else.  And also, I know that just because I have never lost a
load and I tie them on securely that does not mean it will not happen.  It
can.  Reason enough to go the extra mile.

Murphy is still in charge you know.

Thank you,

John

PS  Racoons in Florida are not any more clever than racoons elsewhere.  Given
the  combination of a lock, I am confident of any racoon being able to spin
the tumbler properly to open the lock and make mischief.  It is just what
"they do best".
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