Re: [Paddlewise] Subj: Cradles/rollers for EuroVan racks?

> My only caution of having multiple bars on the roof would be not to secure
> the kayak to more than two bars at a time.   Two supports is statically
> determinate and the kayak flexing is independent of the vehicle.  Three
> or more supports could, in theory, put undue stress on the kayak.
>
Depends on the vehicle (and the boat :-).

I drive a Mitsu pickup, and on this vehicle the truck bed 'flexes' and moves
independantly of the cab of the truck.  I've got three racks/crossbars I
*can* use - two on the cap (which is on the bed of the truck), and a third
rack on the cab of the truck.  For carrying whitewater kayaks and solo
canoes I use only the two racks on the cap.  For carrying the sea kayak, I
use saddles on the rear-most cap rack and on the cab rack - but am mindful
of the independent movement of the cab and the bed of the truck.  Until I
worked out my optimum knot system, I had the ropes come loose several times,
but with the bow line, no damage was done.  The saddles help absorb the
stresses due to the differential movement of the two crossbars, and insulate
the sea kayak from the twisting motions.  With the tandem open boat, I tie
it down to all three racks - the Tripper can take the twisting and the
differential stresses....

With a van, car, or pickup of 'unibody' construction, there should be no
reason why three tie-downs cannot be used for any kind of boat.  One could
argue that more tiedown points equates to a safer transport system.

On the prairie coast,
Erik Sprenne


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