Feedback on my homebrew roofrack

On Jul 30, 6:28 pm, idontwantanys....TakeThisOut@thankyou.com (Drew Dalgleish)
wrote:
> On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:14:09 -0700, Rex Kerr <rexk....TakeThisOut@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >After many trips on rental boats, we finally purchased a used Pamlico
> >160T, which was our favorite of all of the boats that we rented. The
> >Phase3 seats are sure comfy. We plan to use it on flat water (lakes)
> >and calm rivers.
>
> >Anyhow, now that I have it, I need a better way to carry it. I got it
> >home using some of those pool noodles and cam buckle straps, but want
> >to build something better. I'd appreciate it if anybody could take a
> >look at my ideas and give me feedback.
>
> >http://twowheels.us/blog/?p=25
>
> >Thanks!
>
> I think you could get the same result using a lot less wood if you
> just drilled your 2 long peices to acept U bolts that would go around
> the subaru bars.

Interesting idea, though I'm not sure that they'd be spaced far
enough. The boat is wide, at 33". I'd have to measure the roof
rack. Good idea though... I'll think about it.
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

Per Rex Kerr:
>http://twowheels.us/blog/?p=25

You mentioned oil-canning.

What about carrying it upside-down, directly on the Subaru's
bars?
--
PeteCresswell
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

On Jul 31, 8:10 am, "(PeteCresswell)" <x....RemoveThis@y.Invalid> wrote:
> Per Rex Kerr:
>
> >http://twowheels.us/blog/?p=25
>
> You mentioned oil-canning.
>
> What about carrying it upside-down, directly on the Subaru's
> bars?
> --
> PeteCresswell

This is how we move our kayaks on my GF's subaru legacy wagon. We can
get 2 on there if we angle one onto the other, but it's not the
easiest setup. Tossing one onto the rack and strapping it down,
however, takes about a minute and is easy as pie. We've done ~300
mile (each way) trips like this, at highway speeds and then @ 50mph on
the dirt logging roads, without problems. I have a friend who does
the same with a large canoe on top of his SUV, and it's just as easy
for him.
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

Per DanKMTB.TakeThisOut@gmail.com:
> Tossing one onto the rack and strapping it down,
>however, takes about a minute and is easy as pie. We've done ~300
>mile (each way) trips like this, at highway speeds and then @ 50mph on
>the dirt logging roads, without problems.

That takes care of my afterthought then - which was around the
strength of the Subie's racks themselves.
--
PeteCresswell
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

On Jul 31, 5:10 am, "(PeteCresswell)" <x... DeleteThis @y.Invalid> wrote:
> What about carrying it upside-down, directly on the Subaru's
> bars?

I tried that, but the seats stuck down enough to put pressure onto the
roof of the car. I'd have to somehow strap them into the down
position, which can be done, but then it brings up the issue that
since it's a long open cockpit, the boat is only supported by the edge
of the cockpit, which isn't very rigid either. A smaller cockpit on a
single would have more deck area and that'd probably work. Maybe
something like my current idea, but with no straps in the center,
which would lift the boat higher to give clearance for the seats, and
support the boat by its deck.
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

Per Rex Kerr:
> Maybe
>something like my current idea, but with no straps in the center,
>which would lift the boat higher to give clearance for the seats, and
>support the boat by its deck.

Maybe somebody could comment on the use of J-Racks on a Subaru.

I know you're biased towards building your own... but that's a
*lot* of wood up there and I would expect it to take it's toll in
gas mileage when you're just driving around without anything else
up there.
--
PeteCresswell
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

On Jul 31, 1:14 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" <x....RemoveThis@y.Invalid> wrote:
> Per Rex Kerr:
>
> > Maybe
> >something like my current idea, but with no straps in the center,
> >which would lift the boat higher to give clearance for the seats, and
> >support the boat by its deck.
>
> Maybe somebody could comment on the use of J-Racks on a Subaru.

I can comment on J-racks! They are a PITA to load boats on and off!!
Especially long heavy boats like plastic sea kayaks. Pretty much have
to lift the boat up and set it in the J-rack, cause if you try to
slide it in from the end, the damn J-racks rotate on the bar and get
all out of proper alignment!

John Kuthe...
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

"John Kuthe" <johnkuthe.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1185906180.346467.241260@e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> On Jul 31, 1:14 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" <x....DeleteThis@y.Invalid> wrote:
>> Per Rex Kerr:
>>
>> > Maybe
>> >something like my current idea, but with no straps in the center,
>> >which would lift the boat higher to give clearance for the seats, and
>> >support the boat by its deck.
>>
>> Maybe somebody could comment on the use of J-Racks on a Subaru.
>
> I can comment on J-racks! They are a PITA to load boats on and off!!
> Especially long heavy boats like plastic sea kayaks. Pretty much have
> to lift the boat up and set it in the J-rack, cause if you try to
> slide it in from the end, the damn J-racks rotate on the bar and get
> all out of proper alignment!
>
> John Kuthe...
>

Not a problem with my Volkswagen Jetta. The CRV's a little worse, have to
open a door to step up, but basically put one end in first, then hoist the
other. Some swearing is (sometimes) involved. My kayak's a 55 lb 14.5 foot
Perception. The J racks do dent the bottom of the kayak, but it hasn't led
to permanent damage thus far.

--
www.mattclara.com
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

> The J racks do dent the bottom of the kayak, but it hasn't led
> to permanent damage thus far.

I thought that the whole point of those J racks was that it was
supposed to prevent that!
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

On Aug 1, 12:37 pm, Rex Kerr <rexk....TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote:
> > The J racks do dent the bottom of the kayak, but it hasn't led
> > to permanent damage thus far.
>
> I thought that the whole point of those J racks was that it was
> supposed to prevent that!

I have little respect for Yakima ever since they went from their
original kayak stackers (straight bars, $40 a pair) to those
ridiculous overpriced ($70 a pair) U-shaped things for people that do
not know how to tie a trucker's hitch and loop it over the top of a
straight bar to hold stacked kayaks when tying them down.

John Kuthe...
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

On Aug 1, 2:27 pm, John Kuthe <johnku... RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote:
> I have little respect for Yakima ever since they went from their
> original kayak stackers (straight bars, $40 a pair) to those
> ridiculous overpriced ($70 a pair) U-shaped things for people that do
> not know how to tie a trucker's hitch and loop it over the top of a
> straight bar to hold stacked kayaks when tying them down.

John, it's safe to back into the REI. Yakima abandoned the U-shaped
things about 6 years ago. The stackers are vertical bars now. Bad news
is they now cost $100

I'm afraid I got lost in your comment about trucker's hitches and
loops.

Steve
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

"Rex Kerr" <rexkerr.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1185989859.043902.166940@m37g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
>> The J racks do dent the bottom of the kayak, but it hasn't led
>> to permanent damage thus far.
>
> I thought that the whole point of those J racks was that it was
> supposed to prevent that!
>
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack 

"Rex Kerr" <rexkerr.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1185989859.043902.166940@m37g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
>> The J racks do dent the bottom of the kayak, but it hasn't led
>> to permanent damage thus far.
>
> I thought that the whole point of those J racks was that it was
> supposed to prevent that!
>

You're still strapping it to something, in this case, two things, the front
and back j racks. Cinch it down tight enough, and the bottom beer cans
where it meets the racks. I suppose I could let off some, but I like my
kayak to not move when I try to wiggle it.

--
www.mattclara.com
 >> Stay informed about: Feedback on my homebrew roofrack