Re: [Paddlewise] warning

>Re:  can the stern line hold the canoe from sliding off the front in an
>E-stop:  only if the stern of the canoe is FORWARD of the rear bumper.  On
>my vehicles, the stern parts of canoes and kayaks extend way beyond the
>rear bumper, so stern lines can not do that.  (Maybe on your (Dan's)
>vehicle that is not the case, so that your stern line does keep the canoe
>from sliding forward.)
>
    True, in case of a sudden stop that extra distance has to be covered if
the stern is rear of the bumper.  But it will still stop a boat once that
distance is covered.   In my case, in a minivan,  the stern winds up about a
foot behind.
    A friend who is a bit more paranoid that I about this will do either of
two things.  Either attach the rear line further forward, e.g. around the
cockpit, or else attach an additional line to the cockpit or some other
location so as to really hold the thing back.   I have a windshield wiper on
my rear windshield so this isn't a good option for me.
    I rely on the strength of the webbing straps I use, and on a solidly
attached roofrack.  Actually, the rack  will likely  slide forward on the
rain gutters before the boat tears loose.  I DO use very strong rope, about
2000 lbs test,  for the tiedowns (6 mm nylon Prusik Cord).  They are
attached to the car under the bumper, then to the boat with a steel hook
with optional short loops of prusik cord to accomodate different boats.  I
tighten this arrangement using a wood bar just like the tent guy rope
tension adjusters.  Takes me just seconds to put these ropes on.


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