(I originally posted this last Wed., but apparently it didn't make it to the list. My flaky ISP again... Anyway, here it is in case it might be of use to someone contemplating carrying kayaks on the Honda, or wanting to share ideas on Yakima racks. -Bruce) <Mike wrote:> <snip> >Unfortunately, the newest Civic Hatchbacks don't have the roof or rack >capacity to carry a kayak (according to Thule). Sure they do. But, you need a Yakima rack with the extension kit which places the bars 30" apart. We were sold the Thule rack initially for our 1997 Honda Civic Coupe EX and I discovered just as you have that it won't carry kayaks. But, that's a Thule limitation, not a Honda one. Had to return the Thule. The biggest problem with the Thule as I analyzed it is their rectangular bars. Because of the markedly curved roofline on the coupe, the tops of the Thule bars are not in the same plane. The top of the rear bar is angled upwards into the sky, and when the kayak saddle is attached it's not at all level, but angled sharply upwards. The Thule bars would be great on a flat-topped vehicle with four doors. They make a great rack, but with more limited applications than the Yakima, I believe. The Yakima roundbars aren't limited in this way as the attachments are infinitely adjustable for angle on the round bars allowing a greater extension between the bars. We now have a 1999 Honda Civic Coupe Si (at last(!) Honda has given us a worthy replacement for the former hatchback Si we used to have) carrying both our kayaks with our Yakima rack. Rock solid rack, and worth every penny. I usually cruise at 70 mph on the interstates with occasional bursts to 80 mph+ to complete a pass and get out of the way of the faster guys. Typical sales on Yaks are 20% off, which is a $100 savings on a $500 MSRP assembly, so worth shopping for. Most bike shops carry them and would probably be willing to meet that price. BTW, we, too, experienced some difficulties with the Yakima roundbars when I tried to make a small adjustment recently in the Q-Tower spacing for the new car, but I cannot say enough in praise of Yakima's customer service oriented personnel. They were wonderful and replaced parts readily without even asking when I bought it (it was still under warranty in fact) and not charging us a dime. I'd buy from Yakima again any day. Email me for details if you're experiencing difficulties with your Yak bars with Q-Towers. I'd be glad to share a few tips that might help. Regards, Bruce *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 8/13/99 10:20:17 PM EDT, lenonm_at_milwaukee.tec.wi.us writes: << Sure they do. But, you need a Yakima rack with the extension kit which places the bars 30" apart. We were sold the Thule rack initially for our 1997 Honda Civic Coupe EX and I discovered just as you have that it won't carry kayaks. But, that's a Thule limitation, not a Honda one. Had to return the Thule. >> I'm glad no one told me before that I couldn't carry kayaks atop a Thule rack (with the short roof line adapter) attached to the roof of my 97' Honda Civic hatchback, because that's exactly what I've been doing for the past two years! <grin> Sandy *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
KayakherSC_at_aol.com wrote: > I'm glad no one told me before that I couldn't carry kayaks atop a Thule rack > (with the short roof line adapter) attached to the roof of my 97' Honda Civic > hatchback, because that's exactly what I've been doing for the past two > years! <grin> Sandy Someone suggested to me that it's just CYA on the part of Thule. By eye, the 96+ vintage Civic hatchbacks look like they have flatter rooflines than the 92-95 models and would seem to be better suited. I couldn't identify anything that would suggest it's not good enough (though I can't see the structure inside the roof). Hope you don't have problems! Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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