----- Original Message ----- From: <Niilus_at_aol.com> > I usually cartop my Feathercraft K-1 for local trips and on occasion have > cartopped my K-Light. I found it easier to just use Yakima rack bars padded with > the tubular pads sufers use for their boards. At first I tried using the > saddles and rollers with folding kayaks. They work o.k. but with folding kayaks > but I found it easier to just use the padded bars. The windsurfer type pads are the way to go. You can even use them on factory racks if you stretch them around and secure with pieces of continuous velcro or plastic ties (get the UV resistant type). I too had saddles etc. in the beginning but got rid of them. I also have found that using a kayak stacker (Thule and Yakima have them) works well in conjunction with the windsurfer pads as the stacker gives you a tie on point. Several other things to bear in mind when cartopping a foldable: --Don't be timid in how much you cinch down the straps. It is okay to make them so tight that the straps indent the sponsons. --Do be careful if going through large altitude changes enroute, say climbing into mountains to reach some nice lake. Same with large temperature changes such as starting off on a cool morning but expecting to be in hot sun and high temperatures later. If doing either of these, then deflate the sponsons as the air expanding in them under such circumstances may lead to them popping. --Figure out a way not to tie the bow and stern bumper attachments to the carry handles on the folding kayak. Most handles are sewn in and tying the bumper lines to them might stress the stitches. I find that using a short length of webbing around the ends of the boat works well. Run them around the entire end and through where there the boat handles are attaches. This way the boat handles act only as a stopper to prevent the webbing strap from slipping off the end of the boat. Like Tony, I find that often enough it is just as easy to carry the folding kayak in the trunk rather than cartop. This is true of models that can be assembled in under 15 minutes. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 1365, Highland, NY 12528 Tel: 845-384-6979; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Aug 26 2003 - 16:16:53 PDT
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