Re: [Paddlewise] Tiedowns revisited

----- Original Message -----
From: <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com>

Just to add a remark to Ralph's comments from the other Ralph.

> General - For all bow and stern tiedown situations I would ALWAYS run two
> straps of some kind around the hull of the boat, one each near the bow and
> the stern, and NEVER rely on the grab handles, lifelines or other weaker
boat
> fittings.

I make use of the grab handles but not as my tiedown anchor but rather as a
stopper.  Let me explain.  I tie the line around the bow (for example) end
of the boat in a loop that runs through the grab handle and back down to
form a lasso grip (various ways of doing this).  The grab handle simply acts
a stopper to prevent the bumper line lasso from slipping off the front of
the bow or shifting back toward the cockpit.  There is no real stress on the
grab handle.

> But then again I may have a slight advantage in my approach since I almost
> exclusively strap on relatively flexible folding boats, which by the tying
> down process become almost an integral part of the roof rack system
through
> (elastic!) deformation and friction ... I could not vouch for hardshells
> under similar circumstances. And thus concludes another veiled pitch for
the
> concept of folding boats ...

Or just put the folded kayaks inside your trunk and not worry about ropes
vs. webbing, bow and stern tiedowns, flying roof racks, thieves, etc.  We
Ralphs are shameless in our slipping in the word of the Gospel According to
Hans Klepper Et Al. :-)

ralph diaz

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