yes
Now that you mention this, over 45 years worth, I never not ever thought of using cam straps front or rear.
I’m surprised with this realization that without conscious decision making, only ropes are used for bow/stern tie downs.
Big rope
Big rope is easier to tie. And more importantly, easier to untie.
If you need to tie knots to stop the loose end of your strap from flapping then you are tying knots anyway.
So it will be faster to use rope.
Half Hitches
Use some half hitches after the cam. You don’t want to get it too secure that you can’t tighten the straps during your car trip. I’ve seen too many people who just put the canoe or kayak on their car tighten it down and never stop to check the straps again. Things get loose while going down the road, so check your straps frequently.
the brain is amazing.
Yes, real rope…
…is much easier to work with. Get dacron. Nylon stretches when wet from rain, etc.
No need to have anything rubbing on the front on your car. Web strap loops with grommets bolted on the lip of your fenders under the sides of the hood. Straps go out the hood/fender gap. Ropes go from loops to stem of the boat. You can make the hood loops yourself, or buy them from paddlesport vendors online.
He is talking about both
front and rear tie downs and tying the canoe to the rack.
Agree
Half-hitch just below the buckle, then another two to secure excess strap. I’ve never had the half-hitch become so tight on webbing that I could not loosen it, but I bet it could happen. You could experiment with slipping one or more of the half-hitches instead of finishing the usual way.
How long are the loose ends?
Too long makes things more of a PITA. You’re going to have to secure the ends no matter what, but if the straps are way too long in the first place, get some shorter ones when it’s time to replace them! Makes strapping easier, they’re lighter, and they cost less.