[Paddlewise] Yakima Mako Saddles

When I purchased my new glass Tesla NM I was warned to be careful when putting
the boat up on the Mako Saddles so as not to leave sand on the hull and to
make sure the saddles were clean because the sand would damage the gel coat.
Too late!!! I wound up with my hull looking like it was sand blasted where the
saddles touched the glass.  


I spent hours applying and sanding smooth new gel coat.  I made sure the
saddles were clean and smooth and placed my newly refinished boat over the
rear rollers and onto the front saddles.  I tightened the saddles just snug
enough to stabilize by kayak; ran a tie down over the rear locked rollers just
snug enough so that the free rollers could be rolled and applied a bow line.
I then drove about 80 miles to Butterfly Beach.


I removed the boat from the saddle/roller combination and guess what?  The
words Yakima are now imbedded in my new gel coat as well as some areas of
abrasion.  I called Yakima and they tell me it was because I did not apply a
stern line the boat was unstable and therefore rubbed!  Personally, I don't
believe it.  


If there are any of you who have had similar experiences outside of the two
paddlers who have already told me they have suffered the same damage I would
appreciate a response.  I think Yakima is wrong and their product should not
be used on fiberglass boats and possibly not Kevlar.  If I am wrong then I
will publicly apologize to Yakima but if I am right then are a few of us who
have been damaged and should seek proper redress.


Mike Brown






***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************