Hello to all! Recently purchased our first pair of kayaks and are ready to start exploring. We have a RAV4 and have a rack with cross bars. We also purchased the J holders with tie down straps. Question is what kind of bow/stern lines,(ie. manufacturer, type, material, is suggested)? This is the last thing on the list before we can head out this weekend.
Thanks much! Appreciate the help!
You could use a good quality rope. If you want something a little more fancy for $13 you could purchase these:
https://www.amazon.com/Sentry-Ratchet-Adjustable-Hanger-2-Pack/dp/B06XVFDM5W/ref=sr_1_2?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyLDpBRCxARIsAEENsrIca9MNzB_KcTF6oU_gc6zeOOgTAeT1YJdqYXab7FX1-mO-8LfdiTwaAi2JEALw_wcB&hvadid=234005460157&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9012308&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=35712880478021108&hvtargid=kwd-388581600883&hydadcr=7058_9585694&keywords=thule+bow+stern+tie+down&qid=1563194929&s=gateway&sr=8-2
To fasten them to the front of your car I suggest something like this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Propel-Paddle-Gear-Kayak-Accessory-Hook-Trunk-Tie-Down-Loops/49398419?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227037048116&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=301400819446&wl4=aud-481962823846:pla-539282613041&wl5=9012308&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=49398419&veh=sem
Doug,
Thank you so much for your help!
Also bow loops, I have a Rav4. I just ran a bit of leftover rope from redoing my deck lines around the part of the frame under the hood on each side and tied it off. My deck line is rated at 1200 lbs, think it is strong enough. Bow lines themselves we got from a marine store, fairly basic stuff but we wanted to get rope intended to get wet and be fine. Because of rain.
I confess to not using stern lines, my extra precaution lies in double strapping the boats at each point for long trips. My only caution there is to make sure that the bottom side is quite secure. I have seen stern lines that had come loose dancing around wheel wells on the highway.
Great advice Celia! Thank you!
The lines linked above would be perfect.
I use similar lines but I removed the steel hook from one end and tied a simple loop in it. That way I can use a loop to loop connections at the front and back of my car. The thought of that hook getting loose and banging around scares me!
@kfbrady said:
The lines linked above would be perfect.I use similar lines but I removed the steel hook from one end and tied a simple loop in it. That way I can use a loop to loop connections at the front and back of my car. The thought of that hook getting loose and banging around scares me!
Ditto. While I use the Thule Quick Draws, replaced the hook with a climbing carabiner. Hooks are scary.
I find myself in a similar need. Susan’s boat has the black lines that showed up years ago, very stiff but grippy. I have the slippery blue lines that were in “box of boat stuff.” I really like the blue stuff, but, uhhhh, I need purple. I just named my boat after my deceased friend Katherine, she was a platinum blonde with a great purple stripe, so yeah, I need purple. And I like the slippery stuff. I live in a pretty rural location so a .com is best, unless Home Depot stocks purple but I doubt it.
I also use the Thule stuff, but purple is easily found…
Thanks! Is 1/4 thick enough? I guess it would be, I have 3/8 on the boat now. I found this last night and ordered it.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07F1VKYBS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_1iAlDbF28S810
Supposedly it floats, which is nice.
1/4" is what Thule uses. All you have up there is what, a 30-50lb kayak? What you bought is 1/2" dock line rated for a boat up to 45’, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s better to overspec than underspec!
@Rookie said:
@kfbrady said:
The lines linked above would be perfect.I use similar lines but I removed the steel hook from one end and tied a simple loop in it. That way I can use a loop to loop connections at the front and back of my car. The thought of that hook getting loose and banging around scares me!
Ditto. While I use the Thule Quick Draws, replaced the hook with a climbing carabiner. Hooks are scary.
Agreed, I did the same after a hook came loose and whacked me in the shin, which I used to block it from whacking the chrome grill…
NTP, I just ordered some. Thanks for the link.
@NotThePainter said:
Thanks! Is 1/4 thick enough? I guess it would be, I have 3/8 on the boat now. I found this last night and ordered it.https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07F1VKYBS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_1iAlDbF28S810
This arrived yesterday. It is huge. I guess if I stretch it some it is 3/8 but wow, completely unusable. I guess I must have measured wrong.
I’ll be ordering the 1/4" stuff.
I did the same. Almost looks like it could tow a car.
@kfbrady said:
I also use the Thule stuff, but purple is easily found…
How does paracord 1100 or 550 compare?
So I order the 1/4" stuff from the link above. It was also huge, 1/3". I wrote off and they told me that rope diameter is measured under tension! Ok, I didn’t know that. The rope on my current bow/stern lines is 3/8" not under tension.
Anyhow, we ordered some 550 paracord, we’ll see how that works out.
I know some big boat owners who will appreciate the 3 I ordered.
Order?..every Home Depot, Ace Hardware, boat supply store has plenty on display. Why not just go handle it and buy it.?
@Overstreet said:
Order?..every Home Depot, Ace Hardware, boat supply store has plenty on display. Why not just go handle it and buy it.?
Because he wants it in purple!