Re: [Paddlewise] Roof Racks

I have a minor preference for Yakima over Thule racks. I currently have
Yakimas on my truck, but the Thules fit better on my son's truck. I also
had to use Thules on my Volvo, as Yakima had not come out with a fit kit
yet.

You will find that Yakima is much more conservative in rating their
racks than Thule. For example, Yakima says their setup with a spacer bar
for a pickup cab should not be used for carrying a kayak. Thule says
it's OK. I think this is CYAing rather than any significant difference
in capability. Pay your money and take your choice. BTW, we use that
setup for WW boats, not SKs.

I experienced slightly more wind noise with the Thules, but this could
have been vehicle-specific. Also, I have seen bent Thule bars, but I
have never seen a bent Yakima bar. Never bent one myself. YMMV.

As far as additional attachments, I used to have a Yakima saddle for the
SK. It worked fine, but took up a lot of space on the rack, so when we
were going off for a weekend and wanted to take an open canoe and 2 WW
boats, there wasn't room. I purchased a pair of ethafoam rack pads that
clip onto the bars and have a v-shaped top to carry my wife's boat.
These worked so well and were so easy to take on and off that I bought a
second set and discontinued the saddles. I think the foam pads support
the hull better than the saddles did.

For long distance travel, I tie down the boats with NRS straps. Around
town I frequently use rope and trucker's hitches. Bow and stern lines,
of course, of 1/4" nylon with tautline hitches.

Steve
-- 
Test Scoring & Reporting Services       Sometimes, you never can
University of Georgia                     always tell what you
Athens, GA 30602-5593                       least expect the most.
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