Re: [Paddlewise] Roof Racks

Hi Rick,

On Thursday, January 29, 2004, at 12:19:53 PM PDT, you wrote:

> What do you folks use and how do you like it?

I've been using Yakima racks since 1997, and I'm very happy with them.
When I'm just carrying one or two boats, I use the old Yakima "TLC"
cradles. I much prefer the TLC cradles to the new Makos, which don't
work very well with my relatively narrow hard chine boats. By loading
boats on their sheer edges, I've been able to get two singles and one
large tandem on the car (I have fairly long cross bars, and they
extend a bit beyond both sides of the car).

I do wonder though, if you would get better safety and better fuel
efficiency if you used a trailer to haul four boats.

I'm currently driving a Subaru wagon, so I have a bit more room for
rack spacing, but I used the same racks on my old Honda Accord
hatchback, and they were rock solid even with spacing of only about 33
inches. In fact, as the old Honda rusted in my salty local conditions,
I think the racks were about the only things holding the car together!
:-)

In any event, if you visit the rack company web sites (like Yakima and
Thule), you can match your vehicle with an appropriate rack system:

Yakima: http://www.yakima.com/choose_my_rack/

Thule: http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/fg_vehicle.asp

Here are some trailer sites:

http://www.3aweb.com/trailer/

http://www.mrglobal.com/kayak.html

http://www.castlecraft.com/trailers.htm

http://www.bluemountainoutfitters.net/trailers.htm

-- 
Melissa
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