I've been using the TLC/Roller combo for a year or so and find the combination to be excellent! I believe that the front of the boat needs the lion share of support and the rear rollers make loading and especially final positioning on the saddles a breeze. cya -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> [ mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> ]On Behalf Of John Lowe Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 1999 10:30 PM To: Paddlewise Subject: [Paddlewise] Roof Racks 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. I know the Thule has a nice set of cradles for carrying boats and has the outrigger bar to help assist when loading on and off if you don't have someone to help you. I have also seen the Yakima TLC cradles and Hulley Rollers (and their new SweetRoll (the combination of the two)). Does anyone from the group have any recommendations on which rack they have if these or others, or would it be better to get a trailer? I know if I had a folding I would just be able to put it in the truck, but mine is plastic and I gotta carry it outside. Thanks in advance John There are only two things in life.........RESULTS or EXCUSES *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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