Re: [Paddlewise] An entirely different question

At 03:07 8/8/99 -0700,  Matthew Blumenthal <mattb_at_ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>I know that this is a total newbie question, but as my new kayak will be
>here very shortly, it's important to me!
>
>I have discovered that there are no roof racks made for my car. Thus I will
>have to buy another vehicle to transport the kayak.

i have a great set of yakima racks that fit all my cars, except my newest, 
so i bought an artificial set of raingutters made by yakima, and took them
to my local body shop. i explained what i wanted, and how strong it neded
to be [my wife drove another car there to pick me up as i dropped off the
first car] i climbed up on top... i'm 6' [1.8m] and 200# [90kg]!! a big guy!!
they then realized how strong it had to be!! they pulled out the headliner to
attach the "gutters" and found the strongest part of the roof. it cost less
then $200 for the labor, and about $50 for parts... of course, i own my car,
if you lease, that wouldn't work.

>Pickups are cheap, but look as though they would require a ladder rack for
>kayaks.

i carry 2 sea kayaks, or a canoe and one or two kayaks [depending on whether 
they are glass or plastic, etc] on my honda civic, or my subaru... i prefer
the subaru if driving dirt roads, as its a 4 wheel drive, so the mud isn't
as much a pain. the lower height of the car makes unloading and loading a
breeze. the rack on the subaru is high enough i can fully open the trunk and
just clear the boat on the roof, whereas with a boat on the hatchback won't
let me open it...

>Suv's can accomodate a roof rack, but are rather pricey, and gas guzzelers
>to boot.
>
>Don't personally like vans.
>
>Any suggestions or comments on transportation vehicles and/or methods would
>be deeply appreciated.

a car or station wagon is best... no need for big vehicle at all. the subaru
will do the speed limit with 2 boats and 2 people, even over most of colorado's
passes... the honda is far more comfortable for long drives, with power 
everything ;-) ... i'd use what ever you have, or buy an older used 4 door
or station wagon... unless you're paddling back country lakes, you don't really
_need_ anything more... unless i'm really missing something...

mark

#------canoeist[at]netbox[dot]com--------------------------------------
mark zen                      o,    o__              o_/|   o_.
po box 474                   </     [\/              [\_|   [\_\
ft. lupton, co 80621-0474 (`-/-------/----')      (`----|-------\-')
#~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~
http://www.diac.com/~zen/paddler  [index of Paddling websites I manage]
Rocky Mtn Sea Kayak Club, Colorado River Flows, Poudre Paddlers
The Colorado Paddlers' Resource, Rocky Mtn Canoe Club Trip Page 
--
Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
--Pablo Picasso

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************