SC-1
I know of Brian but never met him. I know of the F-1 and SC-1, they both have good reputations. I looked at building an F-1 but decided to go another way.
If I do go with J-cradles I will make them in the shop. Laminate them out of what ever wood I have around. So breakage shouldn’t be a problem. Sudden T-storms are not uncommon here in the heat of the summer. I can see how it could push a car around with them on the top. Of course my old Caddy is heavier than you Mini. 
Probably wouldn’t be as dramatic as you experienced. But is something to keep in mind. They would add a lot of sail area to the car for sure!
Blue Heron
– Last Updated: Sep-29-10 5:55 PM EST –
I presume you've seen Ross Leidy's page on laminated J-cradles. Just in case you or others haven't, here it is. His work is just beautiful. Click on 'cradles' in the list page-left:
http://www.blueheronkayaks.com/kayak/index.html
PS - it wasn't that the wind pushed the Mini around, it didn't. In my case, the wind pushed the boat over, breaking the Thule screw attachments holding the J-cradles on the factory bars.
As narrow as your boats are
you can probably do two upside down and not ever have to worry about rain and such. Simple bars, simple straps, and maybe bow/stern lines for longer trips.
If you want to get fancy, pad the bars with a pool noodle or some pipe insulation.
If you’re taking them out for show, you might build some nice cradles as boats do look good up on their sides.
jim $0.02
Ok, seems Brent’s getting overly pickey.
So I’ll re-submit my post with a slightly censored version:
Oh "Christ"mas… Read the manual. Or search the archives. This has all been covered many times over.
Paddle easy,
Coffee
backwards … upside down …
= bad juju
That was thanks to me on the "alert"
button, and I am proud of myself, and I thank Brent sincerely for acting accordingly.
Jack L
No problem… I don’t take offense to…
it, but some people are thinner skinned to simple irrelevant things as such. If you were offended by such then you have every right to be.
Just remember, as many here (and possibly you in the past)have said “opinions and words on the internet are just that. And should be taken with a grain of salt”.
My opinion of saying “Christ” isn’t a bad thing. In your opinion it is… Everyone is entitled to their own. It just boils down to “how big of a deal is it, really”?
Paddle easy,
Coffee
carry
i olny know of one guy who carries his c 1 sideways klie a kayak; seems to work for him. my 30 plus years i have always carried upside down
Deck down, hull up
I car top 24/7, 365 days a year. I’m retired, sold the house, and travel full time in a motorhome, towing the car with kayaks on it.
I tried several ways, and settled on padded cross bars, deck down, hull up. They are more stable this way, and less “lift” on the front of the kayaks. The hull design “upside down” puts wind pressure more downward, for less stress on the roof rack.
You can fit 2 kayaks deck down hull up it they are 26" or narrower.
Dan
Ask the maker
They know what is best. Span is the key. I drilled holes up thru bottom of doorframe and went with screws to keep rack solid at 70 on rt81
He did …
He’s the maker -
works for me
Best way to carry a boat is slung on a trailer hanging cradled in a fat canvas strap with another strap pulling down to provide tension.
For car-topping, the V-cradles hull side down is my preference for narrow boats. You get good lateral stability and sufficient contact area on the hull to avoid pressure dings. Plus if you’ve got a long boat like a k2 or a surfski you can get the attachment points spaced better.
But, because the aft deck is so flat on a surfski I carry my skis deck down lashed direct to padded cross bars. That is partially because my rack spacing is such that the cross bars hit the boat right at the back of the bucket and the front of the cockpit which are probably the most rigid parts of the boat. Then the hull is subjected to even pressure from a strap run over while any point forces from the rack go to the deck and I don’t care as much (though I do care) if I ding the deck.
There are a lot of ways to carry a boat and it does vary from boat to boat. The easy-V is nice because it makes the distance between contact points great which helps balance lateral forces better. With my close rack spacing I’ve got a LOT of overhang beyond the crossbar for the wind to grab on a 21’ boat. I’ve been lucky so far but more distance between the front and rear attachment points would be better.
I’ve seen the easy-V bars work wonders for convenient loading/unloading and long distance hauling of fragile marathon weight k2s so those are definitely hard to beat.
Read my post
There is no manual.
gee
It is obvious people don’t read all the posts before commenting.
Then HE “should” KNOW!
You mean to tell me that a boat maker has no care & use manual for his product? What about Warranty? Parts replacement list? Customer Service?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm… Think I would buy a different boat.
Paddle easy,
Coffee
I read it & my answer still stands…
Paddle easy,
Coffee
Uhhhhhhhh… Again…
I read it & my answer still stands…
Posted by: CoffeeII on Oct-11-10 8:21 AM (EST)
Paddle easy,
Coffee
And Again…
Then HE “should” KNOW!
Posted by: CoffeeII on Oct-11-10 8:20 AM (EST)
You mean to tell me that a boat maker has no care & use manual for his product? What about Warranty? Parts replacement list? Customer Service?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm… Think I would buy a different boat.
Paddle easy,
Coffee
ROFLO
ROFLOL
I AM THE BUILDER.
That’s why it’s so funny, you see…
Then HE “should” KNOW!
Posted by: CoffeeII on Oct-11-10 8:20 AM (EST)
You mean to tell me that a boat maker has no care & use manual for his product? What about Warranty? Parts replacement list? Customer Service?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm… Think I would buy a different boat.
Paddle easy,
Coffee