Roof-Racking the Island

I've decided to t extend the draw bar on my 7x4 trailer for now. I'll be able to carry both AI's on it if I make a cradle and it's pretty easy to extend. With any luck I'll be able to use the cradle or parts of it on top of the off road camper as well.

I'd still like to be able to roof top it and might have a play with a rear loading system.

Pager's just gone off - seeya later.

Dave

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A Hobie Sport and 2 Hobie Adventure Island's - Papaya & Hibiscus - I couldn't make up my mind so like I usually end up doing with lures I bought both and hid the credit card statement

Need some opinions, what diameter and type of rope should I use for bow and stern lines when car topping the AI?

How do you keep the rope from rubbing the paint?

I have a 4 door sedan with thule roof racks.

Dave - as you know, I trailer my AI too and it is generally very convenient to do so. However like you, I intend to roof top it so that I can tow my Aquavan behind - or simply to avoid towing a trailer and having the additional problems that it entails.
I have just ordered a set of Thule roofracks for my Pajero and will use them in conjunction with a set of small steps and the extension bar device that Pirate has to put it on the roof from the side (it would be impossible to load from the rear towing the van). Pirate has devised a great way of carrying the AI upright that he will post shortly.

We're off to Mallacoota this w/end - weather permitting

Mickey

JollyGreen wrote:



If you carry the AI inverted, you probably don't need bow and stern lines. The aka braces will stop it slipping too far forward or back. You can also put one of more straps around the rear roofrack and the rear aka brace, if you want even more security. Or, if you carry it upright, I hear some people run a loop through the scuppers and around the roofrack.

Chris

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Any pictures showing how you guys strap everything to the roof of a sedan such as the amas and mast?

If you carry the hull inverted how do you tie the mast to the hull, without bending the mast? Do you use two straps per ama?

I have a pair of paddle/ski holders which hold the mast beautifully. If I have not more than one passenger, I fold the front and rear passenger side seats on my SUV and carry the amas inside. If I have more passengers, I carry the AI upright, so there will be room for the amas on the roof. In that case, I use a set of Rhino kayak carriers, similar to Thule slipstreams I think (dont know if they sell Rhino in the US). Of course then you are back to the problem of preventing the hull slipping forward or backward while upright, although its still pretty unlikely with those aka braces. Here is a shot which Punchinello posted on the KFS forum. Hope I'm not infringing his copyright




PS: Unlike in the photo, I strap the two amas on together and use a total of two straps for them, threaded through the aka holes.

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Standby JollyGreen. Pirate has been experimenting again and has come up with what he believes is about the most economical and convenient and hull friendly way to carry the AI upright on the roof-rack bars. Been travelling around for a week this way and great success. Also no front or back tie downs either, and no slippage at 100 kph. Heading off with Mickey to Mallacoota for the weekend (270ks each way) if weather stays ok with both AIs. One on top secured this way and one towed behind.
I will get a few photos together and post a report soon. Mickey has already ordered Thule bars and a set of Pirate carriers, but then again he is an Impetious Officer....Pirate

Hi JollyGreen,

As requested, some pictures. I got to thinking and realised it is quite possible to get the amas on the roof with the hull inverted. There are two straps holding the hull down and two more going right over the top and holding the amas. The rear strap goes through the handles on the amas to prevent them slipping.



The mast is held on with paddle holders.







Hope this helps.

Chris

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The problem of carrying the Adventure Island on the roof racks is two fold. One getting it up on the racks in the first place easily and safely, and two how to carry and secure it.
I solved the problem in getting it up by purchasing a Rock 'n Roll bar for my Thule sports bars but found like Chrisj posted earlier, it is a difficult job to get the hull up in the already inverted state. The boat wants to turn over and if you can manage that there is the real concern of damaging either the car or the roof bars with the aka braces. The easier method was to lift it up right way up then invert it up there. This in itself led to damaging the rubbers in the bars as I re-positioned the inverted hull on the racks for balance. Not a happy camper.
This led me to lifting the boat right way up and tieing it down in that state with Hobie straps. Great way to do it except that the pressure from the tight straps forced the bottom to distort where it came in contact with the roof bars. I carried it around like this a couple of times but did not like the possible consequences of hull distortion or worse over an extended period.
I looked at the dedicated kyak 'clamps' but I don't think they are really suitable for the AI hull, and restricts the racks being used for carrying other stuff.
Now my solution which I have trialled for a couple of weeks and several trips of several kilometers is to built two soft 'Pirate Pillows' that go between the hull and the racks. These both support the hull across all its full width and take the pressure when the straps are pulled down tight without any distortion of the hull. They also provide grip between hull and racks and I have only needed to secure the hull with the hobie straps and not secured it front or rear so far. I may tie a front bow strap down to the car for the 200 mile trip to Mallacoota on the weekend, just to be safe.

Both ' pirate pillows' are made out of the insulation foam tubing that is commonly used in the air conditioning industry. It is reasonably inexpensive easily obtainable. The foam is very durable in this application and will not hold a memory and will take its original shape after a short time of a load being taken off it. The foam tubing I used is approx. 110mm in diameter and 30mm in section and slit down its length so it will fit over each rack. Each 'pirate pillow is 530mm in length with additional width at the ends with an additional 100 mm of the foam tubing super glued to the one below effectively giving it a thickness of 60mm there. The superglue loves this stuff and is instantly glued on contact. Now this arrangement with 60mm thickness on the ends for a 100mm then 30mm in the centre is just perfect for the shape of the bottom of the hull at the areas where the roof racks will be.

The above is a diagram shows its shape. Here are some photos of it on my car. You need to pull down tight on them to compress the foam after which the hull will not move around at all.


The above shows the pirate pillows immediately after the boat has been removed. The foam very quickly goes back to original shape.

You can even use these very same pirate pillows on your storage racks like I do.

I strap the two amas together face down on the same racks beside the hull using two more Hobie straps for which there is plenty of room
So far I am very happy with this inexpensive fix, approx $40 total, which allows me the freedom to carry the boat upright allowing me to leave the seat and some gear in the boat without salt water dripping all over the car on the way home from a great day out Hobie Adventure Islanding...Pirate

Great post Pirate
With my roof racks on order, I had better get to and make a set of Pirate Pillows too
I think they could have another use too - when camping overnight, they could make a reasonably comfortable pillow for pirate's noggin
Mickey

i rack mine upright and use the bungees to attach the mast to the top of the yak, amas are strapped together and inverted next to yak...very neat and tidy and very secure. no need for bow/stern lines as the aka braces prevent any forward movement...will take pics next time i head out...like when this friggin rain stops....

Hi Guys:

Has anyone tried using the Malone Seawings for transporting the AI on top? I have a set and they seem to match the underside of the AI very closely. I normally carry my AIs on a trailer but will probably try carrying one on top from time to time using the seawings.

Thanks, Ray J

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Ray J

Anyone else have troubles loading the AI with the aka braces/seat down and the bottom up toward the sky? Is it easy to let it tip and scratch the roof of the car?

J

Yes Jolly (may I call you Jolly?), both Pirate and I agree the boat needs to be loaded onto the rack upright, to avoid scratching the car. If you want to carry it inverted, it is then a simple matter to roll it over.

Chris

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You don't have to worry about scratching the roof while flipping it over on the racks?

Why is it easier to load it right side up first, it seems to me like it would be more tippy and roll over easier that way....