Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 08:46:50 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Organization: The Cobalt Group
Subject: Re: Kayak Transport on a Westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
You lucky dog! This is my next investment, and I have been looking into
ways to haul two of these things, each 17' long.
"Anthony L. Mourkas" wrote:
>
> I won the Old Town Sea Otter kayak being raffled off last weekend at my
> son's basketball tournament!!! We are pumped!!!
>
> The simple no cost solution would be to set my extra tall Thule uprights
> and load bars up over the pop top and lash on the boat as above. Or I
> could spring for the artificial rain gutters and bolt them to the pop top
> and use my lower profile uprights that I used with this setup on my
> former Westy. A little additional cost, a little additional angst in
> drilling holes in the pop top, but as long as the boat would clear the
> bikes in the rear, I could raise the pop top without dismounting boat or
> rack.
I have the Yakima rack system, and use the extended uprights to attach
it directly to the rain gutter for security. Many on the list have
attached the clips to the top, but if you do that use a metal plate on
the inside for backing and extra strength. It is probably best to use
the (expensive) kayak holder system with rollers for a long (17') kayak,
and to avoid distorting the hull, but I don't think your model is that
long. Some of the places I have checked to rent from have required that
I use this system to carry their kayaks.
>
> Other questions:
>
> - Are the luggage rack tie downs of sufficient strength to anchor a tie
> down line from the bow of the boat?
I wouldn't, they are only pop riveted with a 1/4 inch washer on the
inside. They can pull through if you put too much stress on them. I
replaced those pop rivets with SS screws & nuts with 1" fender washers
on the back side when I painted my top last summer, you could do that if
you want to go to all the trouble. You are best off strapping the bow
and stern to the bumpers using a plastic bumper hook designed for this
purpose.
> - Can I use the foam blocks and just lash the boat to the roof?
Probably okay for one, but you might distort the roof and crack it--wind
buffeting can exert some strong forces on these things.
>
> - Oh yeah, the boat did not come with a paddle. Any buying tips
> appreciated. Also are most paddles one piece, or are there some that
> break down for transport, or are adjustable for different users?
>
> - Where do you carry your paddle in your fully loaded Westy?
You can get two piece paddles, we usually rent that type and strap them
to the rack. Paddles are expensive, good ones start at $175 or so.
Have fun, take a class or two, and stay close to shore in the beginning,
it can be dangerous out there.
>
--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext. 8208
Fax: 206-269-6360
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http://cobaltgroup.com
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