Re: [Paddlewise] Roof Racks

John Lowe wrote:
> 
>     I can see this starting something possibly but would like opinions
> on roof racks for carrying a sea kayak.
>     I have a 1996 Ford Taurus sedan and need to get a roof rack. Had
> lots of recommendations for both Thule & Yakima, and I would like to
> know who has these racks or others and what your suggestions would be
> to best carry my kayak. 

Unlike feathered paddles vs. unfeathered, etc. I don't think you are
going to see a holy war of Thule vs. Yakima.  They seem to be priced
generally the same, have similar accessories, etc.  It can get pretty
expensive either way depending on the towers you have to use, etc.  You
may be looking at $300 all told.  Regarding features one company may be
better in one and weaker in another.  Overall--a wash.

You could get away with a much cheaper arrangement using the $29 setup
involving foam blocks which comes with straps and tiedowns.  Or you can
use the type of pads that stores sell for kneeling while gardening. 
That and some webbing straps and you are all set.  Here is an
arrangement that one of my newsletter readers sent me two years ago that
works just fine.  It is meant to carry some folding kayaks on a car roof
(yeah, many of us do it at times to show off we have kayaks; a kayak
inside your trunk isn't as sexy or attention getting) but would work
just as well with a plastic boat.

BEGIN ARTICLE FOLDING KAYAKER MAY/JUNE 1997

A Cheap Roofrack
Seymour Boorstein is an old friend from California.  While he is
reasonably well-off (a psychiatry practice in California has to pay
off!) and he certainly can afford the very best of things, Seymour seeks
simple solutions for his needs.  Here is his idea for a cheap substitute
for all the fancy Thule and Yakima roof racks with their kayak cradles,
stackers, special tower adapters, et al:

"Great talking to you! I have used the following roof rig on the Lexus
ES-300 and LS-400 successfully to carry one or two Feathercraft K-Lights
going at 60-70 mph on our freeways.

1.  Front and rear bumper tie-downs.  Voyageur (1-800-843-8985; or
802-496-3127) has a bow/stern tie down kit (item # 2007149; $13.95).  It
is real simple with 12 foot straps and well-designed “S” hooks.  The kit
is sufficient for one K-Light.  When carrying two, I use an NRS-6 foot
strap ($4.05; see NRS ordering info below) which can easily lengthen
these tie-downs. These are cinched snug but not boat-bending tight.  The
kayaks are held more securely if you crisscross the Voyageur straps,
i.e. from right boat to left side of bumper, left side boat to right
side of bumper.

2.  Two NRS-15 foot tie down buckle straps.  These (item # 1440-15,
$5.65; NRS at 1-800-635-5202) come with protective plastic under the
buckles.  I tie these straps down just in front and behind the cockpit. 
I run one of the straps through the shock cord loop of the boat’s
cockpit cover so that if the cover blows loose it won’t get lost.  Each
strap is run through the car’s open doors and secured to itself from the
other side within the passenger area.  The straps are thin enough that
the doors can close on them with no damage or bulge.  I cinch all the
side tie-downs real tight, letting them indent the air sponsons quite a
bit. (Editor’s note: make certain they’re not overly inflated.  On hot
days, you may damage the sponsons.  Also when going to higher
elevations, the compressed air inside expands and could damage them—see
Folding Kayaker, Jan/Feb 1994, p. 10)

3.  Roof pads.  (Editor’s note: This is the heart of the system and what
makes it so cheap and applicable to any car without a lot of extra
adapters or adjustments and tedious work like in any of the commercially
sold racks).  I use four simple garden kneeling pads, the rectangular
ones that have a cut-in handle in them and cost about $5 at any
department store or garden shop.  Better yet are the bigger square ones
from Brookstone that come in red or yellow and cost about $10.  Their
smooth surfaces really stick to the roof and do no damage to the
finish.  To avoid losing the pads while getting boats on and off, I tie
small pieces of nylon cord from their handles to the kayaks or the
tie-down straps.

	Some other points:  I protect the car finish where straps may be in
contact with it such as the bow and stern straps.  My solution is some
soft pieces of fleece or flannel attached to the straps at points of
contact with heavy duty rubber bands.  I also learned that it is useful
to put some twists in all the straps so that they don’t vibrate at high
speeds like violin strings.

---END FOLDING KAYAKER ARTICLE

You see, you don't have to spend big bucks.  Pocket the difference or
spend it on a better paddle or toward some cold water apparel to extend
your season.

best,

ralph diaz
-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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