Re: [Paddlewise] Trailers / Bow Lines

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 08:32:11 -0700
Joe Pylka wrote:

>         I recollect a survey done some years ago, possibly by an insurance
> organization, that said that nearly 80% of all damage done to boats is done
> on land, not water.  Mostly collisions involving trailers but also cartopped
> boats going astray.
>         Suppose that you rear-end someone.  Stop fast enough and your
> kayak's inertia will rip the racks off forward and spear into the car you
> just hit....[snip]
>         The rear tiedown, at the very least, should be there to help prevent
> this.  It could help restrain the boat and racks...  I know of one person
> who ties another rear rope to the racks to be sure of this.

That line to the rear rack is a good idea, Joe.  I had not thought of that.

It is perhaps better insurance than the rear tiedown, because if the bow of
your yak extends past the front end of your vehicle, the _front_ tiedown should
be the first to come into play in keeping the yak from sliding forward,
inasmuch as the stern of the yak invariably is rearward of the rear bumper ...
at least for sedans.

On my Toyota canopy-equipped PU, I mount the forward rack over the center of
the cab and the rear rack at the rear of the canopy.  This puts the bow
rearward of my front bumper, so neither tiedown would prevent the yak from
sliding forward some.  Either tiedown would keep the yak near my vehicle, and
probably prevent a spearing of the vehicle ahead of me.

Your buddy's rear rack backup line would be better insurance in my situation. 
Thanks for passing on the tip.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Wed Apr 18 2001 - 08:36:42 PDT

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