Re: [Paddlewise] bow and stern lines

Absolutely no disagreement with any of Wayne's or Ken's comments.

My addition to this discussion is to ask that folks consider how the racks
are attached to the vehicle *if* they are considering using the proposed
tiedown system.

Wayne talks of tying the additional lines "somewhere on the car", and the
image on his site suggests that the 'somehwere' is the rack towers/uprights.
Ken adds clarification for using such a tie-down system, but also doesn't
discuss the attachment point.  If this 'somehwere on the car' is the
towers of the rack or the ends of the crossbars, then one still has a
single-point failure system if the racks are not securely attached to the
vehicle.  I suspect that both Wayne and Ken probably have good rack systems,
but ask that people consider their own rack systems in addition to
considering the proposed tiedown system.

The reason this is suggested - we have two vehicles, one of which such a
tiedown system would work on, and on the other of which it would not -
possibly presenting a hazard of great proportions.  The pickup has metals
brackets thru-bolted on the cap to provide the attachement point for Yakima
1A towers.  As the 1A towers very firmly grip the brackets, I have no qualms
at all on tying the entire load only to the racks with this system.

The Saturn ('99 SL1) uses Yakima Q Towers and clips (Q67 and Q68) that hold
the rack on the roof by squeezing the roof between the clips/towers.  The
Saturn has a plastic rain gutter molding attached to the edges of the roof
line, which makes the use of the rack system with the clips tenuous, and I
wouldn't be surprised if excessive forces - say those experienced in a
crash - would cause clip flexation, thereby allowing the racks and boats -
as a unit - to fly off the roof.  With the Saturn, we **always** use bow and
stern lines attached to the frame of the car.

One test or a rack system is to grab the end of the rack, and try to slide
it fore and aft on the vehicle.  If the rack system slides with the forces
you can apply with your hands and body, just think about coming to a very
sudden stop with all your 'toys' on the roof attached only to the
racks.......

Regards,
Erik Sprenne

Wayne Smith wrote:
>>>>>I have never seen the logic of the "bow and stern" lines, as most
people use them.  What I do is: (1-2) Tye the boat in two locations with
straps.  On the saddles.  Then:   (3) - Use an extra rope tied to the front
of the boat, parallel to the
ground and boat, tied somewhere on the car, amidship the boat. Then:   (4) -
Use an extra rope tied to the rear of the boat, parallel to the ground and
boat, tied somewhere to the car, amidship the boat.
If I really want Security:
Then:   (5) - Use an extra rope tied to the front of the boat, parallel to
the ground and boat, tied somewhere on the other side of the car, amidship
the boat.  Then:   (6) - Use an extra rope tied to the rear of the boat,
parallel to the ground and boat, tied somewhere to the other side of the
car, amidship the boat.
See  http://www.waynesmith.net/bow_stern.htm <<<<<


Ken Rasmussen wrote:
>>>>> I'd like to endorse the earlier comment about tying the bow with two
lines, and the stern with two lines in order to get sideways vectors in
opposition to each other.  It is a good idea to use a hitch at the midpoint
if using a single line in two directions so the bow and/or stern can't slide
on the line.
When cartopping heavier boats like a Laser sailboat or a heavy double, it is
a good idea to also use two lines running aft from the bow to stop the boat
if you have to put the brakes on hard.  None of the lines or straps should
be very tight.  If you tie a fiberglass or plastic boat tightly onto a roof
on a hot day it will often distort.  By using many lines you can secure the
boat without applying a lot of stress to it.  Guying the ends of the boat
becomes unnecessary when there is a lot of separation between the crossbars
of the rack, especially when good saddles are being used.  It becomes
increasingly important when the crossbars are only a few feet apart.<<<<<





***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************