Not about kayak damage
Bow and stern lines aren’t about keeping your boat from getting damaged in an accident. It is about when hitting that oak tree and your rack and straps fail the boat doesn’t launch off the roof of your car into the windshield of another car and thus into the face of another driver.
Just another line of protection from hurting someone else on the road.
Humor
I am being a little flippant to make light, as many do here. I realize that you don’t want your boat flying down the road without your car. These loops are plenty strong - if you wanted to crank up the tension on stout bow and stern lines, I guarantee the kayak handle screws/rivets will pull right through the boat hull before these loops will break or pull through the steel. If others still want to insist they are dangerous, fine. But they are safe and very easy and they are helping me and I that’s why I post on them - they could help other people too.
The kayak is the weak link
The kayak hull, made of plastic or thin composite, will yield, with the bow stern handle pulling the screws or rivets through the hull, long before the steel body of the car will yield to allow this hose to pull out.
awwww
be not offended. I appreciate the info…searched hi and lo for that ratchet.
You doahn keep searching. Then someone else takes up the slack…
would you be interested in a tension meter ?
http://www.gates.com/products/industrial/industrial-belts/tools-and-equipment/sonic-tension-meter-and-accessories
Yakima
also offers nylon tie-down straps for under hood installation - $5.95/pr + reasonable S&H @ ACK. I have two pair on my Jeep Patriot, front & rear, but don’t use for shorter boat(s) or shorter trips.
Eyebolt anchor point from Walmart
If you look around under the rear bumper you might find something you could attach a hook or eyebolt to. Look for this “eyebolt anchor point” in Walmart in the automotive section: http://www.walmart.com/ip/REESE-Carry-Power-Eye-Bolt-Anchor-Point/31954787
That will attach to a variety of holes in your frame. The rubber pad makes a very snug fit—has not come loose in the past year of use.
I Don’t
use them unless I am traveling more than an hour at high speeds. I have a Swift Saranac 14 in Kevlar.
Some People Spend Way Too Much
Dreaming up scenarios.
You can but straps and such in bulk. Add a sewing awl. You can make whatever you might need.
Trying to imagine
The scenario where my vehicle and another vehicle are headed directly towards each other and there would be a full grown oak tree in between us.
And if there were, wouldn’t the tree deflect the airborne boat?
And if it didn’t wouldn’t the other driver be milliseconds away from hitting the tree himself?
I use bow and stern tie downs but sometimes it’s just your time go.