Have to add my two cents on current PW topics. On backbands, I too loved my backband on a tight-fitting whitewater kayak. I'm not crazy about the factory-provided back that came with my Eddyline Falcon. It's no longer rigidly secured to the seat, in fact the seat is removed and replaced with minicell. I find it slighltly comfortable (back) for casual cruising. If I'm pushing hard, like others on the list, I'm leaning slightly forward and don't notice it. On not paddling because of buised tailbone - the exact reason I removed the original seat. Even car seats bother me so I had purchased a seat cushion for the car that has a cutout for tailbone and voila! realized I could use that as a template for new minicell seat for kayak where I scooped out the same size depression. With a comfortable seat, was still having leg problems but realized (thanks to advice from PW folk) that putting something under my knees (oversized "noodle" does nicely for me) would be helpful and indeed it has made a big difference. I've purchased a well-used but taken-care-of (read, cheap) '99 Dodge Caravan. My criticism of factory racks, which are on this vehicle, are that they start too far back from the front of the roofline; they are arched in the middle (i.e., boats tend to slide off); and they are not strong enough or wide for multiple boats,canoes in particular, although OK for a single canoe perched in the middle. What I've done so far is to purchase some older-model Thule racks to fit over the front doors (all Yakima and Thule info. I've seen has both sets of racks over the two sliding doors), and I'm looking for the back-of-the-van better solution. Back of van has some well-placed beams on the body side of the back bumper that I will make easier to use by putting more permanent ropes on them as places of attachments for endlines (will protect ropes by running through an old garden hose). Will do similarly for front (through grill) BUT in the offing - those cute chrome tie-downs that are made for the bed of pick-em-up trucks (Walmart has 'em for under $10 a pair here in Texas!). Drill in hand, I will drill through the plastic (useless for tying down) bumpers to secure same to metal parts behind the bumper. Ouch, yes, I have drilled even in the deck of my fiberglass sea kayak and although painful at first, the end result is quite satisfactory and I will drill again... I love the ride and carrying capacity of the minivan. At 5'1", if I stand on my tippy-toes I can just get my boats loaded myself (beware of even taller SUVs unless you're a bunch taller than I am), and I often carry a one-step stool to make my life easier if I have room for it. Natalie Wiest Galveston TX *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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