I just wanted to let the list know about my roof rack solution. I know the subject comes up sometimes, but I've never seen this answer. I had put a Yakima rack on an 89 Westy by using the drill+bolt-on fake raingutters. Carried three whitewatewr kayaks no problem many, many times. But it's too hevay to lift the top with the load on. So when I got my next Westy, I decided that drilling wasn't the answer. If I had to take the boats down to lift the top, it was no big deal to remove the rack too. So I went looking at all the systems from the two big manufacturers, Yakima and Thule. Yakima made no rack towers that could attach to the real raingutters that would clear the top. Even the 1A Hi-rise towers, which barely clear the roof at the top, won't clear the sides of the top. So I looked at Thule. Their fit-list book, like Yakima, said the Westy needed the bolt-on artificial raingutters. I told the dealer forget the book, I wanted to do visual fits. Thule made a hi-rise tower too. I tried it but no dice. But then I saw a super-high-rise tower. Dealer said it won't work. I said I don't care I want to try it. It cleared the top with good room to spare, and cleared the sides by a half-inch. So I bought them. Work great. Only downside is that the racks must come off before popping. I initially thought that if I mounted the leading rack forward of the poptop, then I only need to remove one. But then the load extended out over the front windshield. This is great to get the visual warm-fuzzy feeling that your gear is still there, but it acts as a air scoop pushing up on the boat, so I chose to mount further back. I think the extra trouble is worth it to save myself from the extra worry. If you're interested, the part is "953 - Super High Foot Gutter". I can also send digital pics of my installation. Maybe I'll put them on a web site. |
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