Re: [Paddlewise] bow and stern lines

Wes wrote:
>>>>>You might want to take the low-tech, cheap solution: learn to tie a
couple
of basic knots, like the tautline hitch and the bowline -- a couple of
knots that anyone who picks up a piece of rope ought to know, anyway.<<<<<

Thanks Wes,
Ah, yes rope. Secure, lightweight, easy on the kayak, easy to adjust, no
clunky heavy hard sharp metal parts and hooks and it comes with so many
other uses. Oh and I almost forgot, CHEAP. I suggest at least 1/4" nylon
solid braid, 5/16" if you believe in overkill. The first kayak we ever built
flew of an old Yakima rack at 60 mph into a 50mph headwind, and it was tied
to the front and back bumpers as well as rubber bungied down and locked with
a cable to the racks. The 3/16" nylon line frayed and broke. The driver said
the kayak bounced a couple of times on the S-hook rubber front strap and
then the kayak took the lock and rear rack with it as it peeled back of the
Early Winter's photo shoot van. The stern line delayed its becoming
completely detached for a few seconds and put the kayak on the ground rather
than maybe through the following semi-truck's windshield.

Personally, I'd say you'd have to be crazy to go without bow and stern lines
on the kayaks as well as rope or webbing straps fastening the kayak to the
rack. Without it even a slow speed rear end accident could send your kayaks
through the rear window of the car you hit. Even with ropes with the slack
removed but not under a lot of tension like we recommend I've had kayaks
shift severely in the cradles in strong side wind gusts. I've been thankful
I had bow and stern lines in place several times.

The best knots I've found for tying the lines is the bowline (at the bottom)
which can be easily tied and untied by feel (and untied with one hand if you
practice--nice for under the bumper when you'd rather stay off your knees)
and the version of tautline hitch known as the Midshipman's Hitch (in
Ashley's Book of Knots). A link to directions and diagrams for tying these
knots (and transporting your kayak by car) are on our website near the front
of the "Paddling" manual.

About 20 years ago I was passed on the freeway by a kayaker who had two
Nordkapps floating about 6" above the front rack on his car. They were held
down (more like sort of tethered) only by shock cord bungies with S-hooks on
the ends. I knew who he was and talked to him about what I had seen from
another car as he went by and my own experience with a kayak coming loose.
He said he hadn't lost them yet (but he started tethering them too after I
related my experience.

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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