When I think of folks that didn’t use
tie downs on the ends of their boat, I remember an article a few years back of a man (experienced kayaker) who didn’t tie his ‘just picked up the new kayak’ and didn’t think it was necessary as he was only going ‘just a short distance’ to his home. On his way there, a strong gust of wind blew his boat off the rack and the poor dolt never got to paddle it. I do believe his insurance covered it. There was even a photo in the magazine of the boat “after” and it wasn’t a pretty site. The bow was all bent out of shape. Perhaps some of you may remember that Sea Kayaker mag article.
Then I read of another instance where an aluminum canoe was in the back of a pickup and the end over the cab wasn’t not secured, when it went of the truck box and hit a motorcyclist and sent them to the hospital.
Five minutes could save a life and/or a lawsuit.
Have a safe summer and take the time to remember how much you will have invested in your boat or another persons life.
Tie in via the engine compartment
Seadart, try creating a tie in somewhere in the engine compartment. I use non-tubular webbing or often p-cord, and find a structural piece I can make a loop around. When I need to use the tie downs I pop the hood, pull out the loop, and then close the hood with the loops hanging out via the gap between hood and body panel. I tie the bow lines only to the boat, pass through my tie downs then trucker hitch back up near the bow, so if they were to come loose it would blow away and not get near the wheels. When I’m done with the tie downs can simply pop the hood and tuck them away until next time. I keep hanks of appropriate length cord (and my Yakima straps) in the rear door pockets so I always know where they are.
Wheel well
I’m not concerned about scratching the finish, my Subaru is 10 years old. That said there are no noticeable scratches. I don’t pad it. The hooks are coated in plastic which helps.
I’ve taken this set up on the NYS Thruway at 70+ MPH and along some nasty, rutted dirt roads. If the straps started to loosen I would notice it immediately because they are in my field of vision while driving, but they never have.
over kill
one must remember head wind. We had 50 MPH wind I was on the freeway going 70 the canoe was doing 130 MPH I use heavy tie downs to 4 corners. Heavy straps under the hood and trunk to sturdy points. and a strap thru the cab of the car and around the boat. I over kill it the only way it is coming off the car is in small chunks.
ruined kayak
friend had a new Eddyline Raven front tie down was coming loose. He turned into a gas station to retie it. Rope went under the front wheel and it pulled the front of the kayak down so fast and hard it ruin the less than one year old boat.
tis no reason not to have one
that was operator error.
Same as using a seat belt incorrectly. Does not make seat belts dangerous.
Quite a few people have forgotten to tie straps and upon starting have had the same thing happen to thieir boats.