Re: [Paddlewise] Yakima roundbar slippage/new rack

> But here's a thought for those who do have that problem: Several people have
> recommended bonding emery paper to the inside of the clamps which grip the
> bars. Sounds like a simple and effective fix.
>
> Others have been told to strip away the plastic coating from the bars (just
> where the clamps go) and wrap the bars with masking tape. The result has been
> rusting of the bars. So - Rather than strip away the plastic bar coating, why
> not contact cement (or epoxy) a bit of emery cloth to the *outside of the
> plastic* which coats the bars? Might have to sand that coating lightly first
> - and would have to be careful not to wrap too much emery paper around the
> bar.

    In looking at all 3 sets of bars I've had the plastic rip on, it seems to me
that the basic problem is in the three tiny grooved clamping spaces that are on
the towers of my set. They are just not enough to really grip the bar. They dig
into the plastic but there is not enough pressure on the metal of the bars to
actually hold the bar. The plastic coating isn't strong enough to take the
twisting pressure of 50+ pounds of boat on the two small spaces of the rollers in
loading the boats.
    I agree that taking the plastic off will result in rust. That is one reason
for putting the end caps on the bars. I've tried sandpaper but that only held 3
weeks. I have thought that perhaps a strip of some kind of rubber would add
enough pressure in the clamp that it would hold.
    Right now it is holding. I put the rollers farther apart after the last set
of rips developed. That works for the Breeze with its wide hull but for a narrow
boat the keel hits the pvc that I put over the bar to keep the boat from hitting
the bar in loading. I tried a paint roller over the bar but the drip from the
water that collects was discoloring my white truck so I took it off and put the
pvc on. My next try will be a strip of inner tube inside the clamping area. I
know there will be a next time.
    I have to get something to protect the bars where the coating ripped. Anyone
have any suggestions for something to seal moisture out of the hole?

Joan Spinner

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************