Date:         Thu, 2 Sep 1999 07:56:23 -0700
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: Pop Top Sports Rack
Comments: To: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I have a better solution, but it only works with the Yakima line of
racks.

You can add another extension to the rain rail type mount and use a
longer bolt from the hardware store to extend the rack height and mount
the rack directly to the rain rail.  Much stronger, and no drilling.
Only downside is having to remove the racks to pop the top, worth it to
be safe IMHO.

I have carried plywood, two canoes, steel pipe, etc. etc. with no
worries in the last ten years, and I will soon be carrying three sea
kayaks weighing about 160 pounds (I've given up canoeing!).  You could
even add a third rack this way, which I might do for the kayaks.

When you mount onto the pop top you are not only stressing the plastic,
but you are also relying on the top's attachment points to hold
everything on.  Light weight items such as bicycles, skis, and
surfboards that offer little wind resistance are probably fine, but the
wind forces on boats can be high, especially when tipped on their
sides.

If you go the Thule/top mount route be sure to tie the bow and stern to
the bumpers, and you might even consider a strap over the boat that is
hooked to the rain rails for absolute security.  And definitely use a
metal plate as a back-up on the inside.

Davidson wrote:
>
> Having some trepidation in the face of drilling holes into my pop top! Gulp!
> Looking for advice and encouragement.
>
> The story is I have chosen the Thule Rack system for carrying my sea kayak
> on top of my 90 Westy Syncro. And I plan to attach that rack by drilling
> holes to mount the Thule fake rain gutters to the fiberglass pop top.
>
> My questions are:
> 1.    Any advice, do's or don'ts regarding the placement of the fake rain
> gutters or the drilling of the holes
> 2.    Has anyone bothered to reinforce the mounting spots by adding a layer
> of fiberglass?
> 3.    Anyone have good or bad experiences they can share regarding racks
> mounted to the pop top with fake rain gutters? Thule fake rain gutters?
>
> Thanks,
> Bill Davidson
> Lake Tahoe, CA

--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext 208

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