Re: [Paddlewise] Car Topping (Storage) Question

1. Plastic boats are well-known to deform readily if not supported at
bulkheads.  That's a significant problem.

2. On the other hand, I've lugged my fiberglas boats many tens of thousands
of miles on Yakima gear, and stored same suspended on two-inch webbing, all
hull-down, and never had a problem.  I have also hauled one fiberglas boat on
its side over thousand miles, with no detectable hull deformation, again,
supported by Yakima gear (the old TLC cradles).

Albeit none of this was in hot summer weather (i.e., temps never exceeded
80F), I doubt fiberglas boats deform under these conditions.  Here's why:
for one side to elongate, the other has to compress.  How can this happen?
In addition, fiberglas composite is strongest in extension, where the load
would be placed if you transport on a side.

I think this is a nonproblem.

3. On the third hand, many sea kayak fiberglas decks are very lightweight,
and not a good choice for transport.  Some lay-ups are worse than others.
I'm certain of this, because I own an Eddyline Wind Dancer (vintage 1993),
and have the gel coat cracks to prove it, from sliding my hefty bod over the
rear deck during re-entries.

And, I repaired an older boat of the same model and manufacture which had
been oilcanned in 6-foot surf.  Where did it oilcan?  Middle of the top deck,
forward of the cockpit about 8 inches, where the geometry and construction of
the deck would make it tough to fold.  Those decks are too light for robust
sea kayaking. (I have reinforced them underneath with a layer or two of 6 oz
glass and epoxy -- now they don't collapse.)

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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