Roof-Racking the Island

LOL JollyGreen...Pirate is exceptionally happy with the set-up of his AI to even bother dabbling with a Tandem. If I did though I would seriously consider the integrity of my Thule roof-racks to carry the extra weight first. Looking at the way the pirate pillows carry the AI I would imagine the standard pillows would do the job just fine the way they are though maybe widening them slightly to allow for any extra TI width...Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

Hi Pirate,

I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for your pillow idea. It is a very convenient way to car top the AI (hull)!
For those interested, the post is here viewtopic.php?f=71&t=11367&start=45 (on two thirds of the page), but, Pirate, I don't see the (very helpful) images?

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skua

Thanks Skua for the thumbs-up. They do work well and could be adopted by most car toppers. Not sure about the pics which must have been removed. I have moved to an Imac lately and I am not sure I have those photos anymore to post again. Anyone needing help with making them could let me know on this and I would be happy to take some more photos...Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

Im looking around at roof racks in prep for the TI, approx 10 weeks to go! Ive found these which Im sure are suitable- http://www.whispbar.com.au/roofracks/whispbar-hd

My question is will 2 racks be enough or should the 16' hull be supported by 3 racks?

Thanks

Very impressive racks Bongo. They are rated at 100 kg so I see no reason why 2 wouldn't be sufficient. Hope you have an assistant or some other form of mechanical assistance to load it.
BTW I seem to recall the hull is 18.5' on the TI

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

The specs for the racks are very impressive indeed and should do the job nicely. Like Mickey said, getting a TI up there without busting the gut is going to be the trick. However once up there, a set of homemade pirate pillows would be the way I would be heading as I just could not imagine turning the larger TI over once on the bars without accidentally damaging both car and bars...Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

Yeah I think leaving it upside down is the shot, I use a pool noodle cut down the middle to make a half moon shape & velcro them along the bars. It worked quite well with my previous yaks on my now sold X-Trail. The noodle compresses when the ratchet strap is tightened so the yak isn't being pulled down strait onto the bars

As for assistance in getting it up Im thinking one of these- http://yakass.net/videos/83-how-to/67-r ... opping-aid

I think I read you've got one Pirate. They might cost $150AU & Im sure I could make one cheaper but it would look shonky

18.5'?? Oops, been a while since I drooled over the specs, the less I look at it the less the wait hurts.

I know the load on the racks would be OK but at (now) 18', thanks for the pick up, would only 2 points of contact put alot of stress on those points of the hull?

I will likely have a tie down from the bow to the bull bar as well to avoid possible flapping in the wind

By the way Pirate, I cant view your pick on page 4 of this thread, have they been taken off or is my comp playing up? Would you be able to email them? My email is [email protected]

Thanks

The Rack 'n Roll system is simple and very efficient and works extremely well for the AI but I have no experience lifting anything heavier. They certainly do spring a bit with the weight of the AI and it might be wise to contact the Aussi manufacturer to check to see it will take the extra weight. A lot of the weight is transferred to uplift pressure on the rear roof-rack but your bars seem to be very strong and should take it easy. Your gut will feel it on the lift though so keep doing you 'tummy tucks' to be in top shape for the work-outs to come.
I really don't think the extra length of the rig would affect much other than weight so long as your car is long enough to be able to be able to effectively secure the bow to the front of the car with a front line which I would strongly recommend for the TI....Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

The Rack and Roll bar has a vertical "leg" available to support the outer end of the horizontal bar, when lifting loads heavier than 38kg (84 pounds).
http://www.rackandroll.net.au/docs/leguserguide.pdf
I have a Rack and Roll bar and it's great for loading the AI, but if I was trying to carry a TI, I think I'd give serious consideration to using a hitch and T bar, as suggested by Roadrunner.

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Yeah I emailed them about the load limit this morning & they mentioned the RRLEG, but a rear loading hitch might be the way to go. Might be able to get one made up for similar $$ once you pay for the leg as well.

It would also act as a rear support allow the hull to be far enough back to avoid the bow line, maybe

The Thule Goalpost (pictured) has a RRP of $US179.95 ($161.95 from Amazon), so it would probably be cheaper than getting a Rack and Roll bar + leg shipped from Australia, assuming you already have a towbar and trailer hitch fitted to your car.

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Looks good Until I searched it & found out its $300AU!!! I really hope I could find someone I know to jimmy one up for a lot less than that

Oops, sorry bongorust, I thought you were in the US.

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Nah mate, from the promised land

If possible, I would also like to see the pictures of the "pirate pillow". Ive got a shell on pickup truck with round bars and even with foam tubes, these will dent a plastic kayak. Didnt really care about the dent with kayaks Ive had in the past.. but do with the AI..