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

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "B00jum!" <snark_at_tulgey.org>
To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 11:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Subj: Cradles/rollers for EuroVan racks?


> Michael Daly writes:
>  > <snip - a discussion of hazards of using a third bar on a front cab 
>  > of a pickup truck>
>  >
>  > PS - this is similar of course to the problem of reefing hard on the bow
>  > and stern lines if you tie down the ends of your kayak.  
> 
> Pardon my nautical ignorance, but does reefing refer to tightening a
> line as well (as the definition below)?  When looking up reefing, I
> find -
>[...]

Reef, in the context of pulling tight or hard, may be a bit of nautical slang, 
rather than a proper use of the word.  I've always assumed it comes from
the act of reefing a sail, since, if you have to do it, it takes a tug to get 
the sail down and the reef points tied in (assuming you don't cheat
and use a roller reefing rig).  

(I was out paddling today and did a 7 km open water crossing in 
winds where every sailboat out had a reefed main!  Fun - especially
sidesurfing a whitecap that broke on me!)


> Is having taut bow and stern tie down lines a problem?  What have
> people experienced or heard about this?
> 

You could put enough tension in the bow and stern lines to bend the 
kayak seriously - even to the point of breaking.  This could be 
worsened if the lines are wet nylon and they dry, and shrink, as
you drive.

I only put enough tension in the lines to keep the kayak snug.  The
bow line acts a backup in the event that the kayak front saddle loses
its hold.  Since it (the older Thule saddle) has two little rivets holding
the saddle in, the rivets can corrode and they are hard to inspect, 
I prefer to have it backed up.  Also, as Ralph pointed out a while
ago, bow lines stablize the kayak when a cross wind (or big truck)
hits you suddenly.

On a small car like mine, the stern line holds the kayak and provides
some resistance to sliding back.  I also use a line from the bow
running aft to prevent the kayak from sliding forward in an abrupt
stop.  Any kayak that is only held in two places has no margin of
safety.  

Mike

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