Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 00:58:29 -0500
Reply-To: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject: GRRRR! (was RE: Raising poptop with kayak on roof)
In-Reply-To: <6600A422-7A1C-11D8-B02C-000A95ABA42A@pottsfamily.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
It's still Friday somewhere, isn't it?
So I can mouth off about non-responses to my email???
I posted regarding racks already installed, with boat already neatly on
racks, and my question was about strategies for lifting the poptop with the
boat on.
PLEASE don't recommend a completely different rack system and totally pay no
attention to my question!!!
I'll mention no names, because I'm really not annoyed AT any of the many
people who sent such replies! Just annoyed in general. Especially as I
finally finished the cover for my kayak to protect it from UV light, and
discovered that even with my extra-tall stepstool I can't reach to attach
the straps on it.
I'm sorry, folks, but vanagons are TOO TALL for those of us of appropriate
height - i.e. those who can just about almost stand inside without the top
popped.
And please don't get mad at me for flaming because I'm not flaming. Just
venting a little frustration here! Maybe I should have taken to the road in
my Prius after all!!! No problems loading the kayak there, just pick it up
and put it down on the roof.
Okay, I'm done mouthing off. If anyone does actually have advice on how to
raise the poptop with 48 pounds of kayak and around 10 pounds of racks on
top, please do let me know!
Joy
p.s. For those who are interested in rack systems - mine are basic Yakima,
with the wide body pieces to attach racks that are designed for a gutter.
One pair hully rollers, one pair saddles. Attached to the poptop.
Following the recommendations of Vanagon-driving Greenland sea kayak
extraordinaire Harvey Golden, who has driven thousands of miles with several
skin-on-frame kayaks on the same racks as I have. And who regularly pops
the top with them still attached (but told me it was hard).
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Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
and Henrietta, sad-eyed orangutan who waltzes with Matilda and me
and Bicycle and Kayak, who ride on Matilda
and my 2002 green Prius, waiting for our return from the vanadventures
For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
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