Re: [Paddlewise] Safety Responsibility and Roof Racks

All of the following verbiage is undermined by the fact that no one on this
list has lost a boat due to unavoidable mechanical failure. Sure it could
happen, and probably will, but it doesn't seem to be a significant risk if
the equipment is properly installed, in good condition and securely
fastened.

The responses on this topic are probably representative of the range of
personalities out in the "real world"; from the anal retentive to the
reckless. I think we include the full spectrum on this list.

Just to summarize my position: For short trip (1 hour or so) with my Yakima
gutter mounted racks, webbing straps that are in good condition, cinched and
tied, I don't need front and rear straps. For longer trips, where the racks
and boats are subject to longer periods without inspection, I use em. If I
use the factory racks on my next van with Yakima towers, I would definitely
use front and rear straps for any 65mph travel.

cya


-----Original Message-----
From: Johnlebl_at_aol.com <Johnlebl_at_aol.com>
To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Date: Friday, November 27, 1998 8:34 PM
Subject: [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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