Strap me! :o) (and do it securely)

Hi again fellas...

Mr. N00b here is at it again, and was doing a test-strap of my new Revo today on the car ('98 Audi A4 Avant). Two standard cheapo roof-racks with a plastic-coating on them, made me stand and wonder for a few hours (with different strap try-outs in between). Still, i felt the boat was skating around, and wouldnt want to drive with it that way. Not to mention having to do a hard turn or brake hard!
(Ofcourse i will strap the front and end - but still)

No problem getting the yak upthere, although it involves a bit of gravel-bottom-scraping and boinkin' around in the driveway. Once upthere, its easy to turn around, so it's upside down. Then...cuuuuue the straps <tadaaaa> -->Frustration-->cold beer-->frustration continues.

How do you guys (and girls) strap the yak on the roof??. I think i could use a Magic Trick™ here, as i am obviously doing something wrong.

I was considering buying some dedicated yak-holder (http://www.biltema.se/products/product.asp?iItemId=130898)...or maybe even the Thule Hull-a-port (or whatever the name was). But those things costs the tip of a Boeing! (especially the Thule )

Fill me in - educate me - and i'll buy you a beer...or sumthin'.

"No problem getting the yak upthere, although it involves a bit of gravel-bottom-scraping and boinkin' around in the driveway. Once upthere, its easy to turn around, so it's upside down. Then...cuuuuue the straps <tadaaaa> -->Frustration-->cold beer-->frustration continues."

Can't help much as I have a trailer for my kayaks.
I can help with the scrapping. Buy a pair of cheap foam knee pads at Home Depot for about $5. Strap one of them to the end to protect it when setting the end down. I have seen others do this and it works well.

Bruce

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Everything before 60 is just a rehearsal!

Great idea, Bruce. Thanks for the info. Still...that's the minor issue in this case - but every input are more than welcome

A little carpet scrap or rug on the ground protects the bottom. Once on the rack, I use a pre-designated marked set of three ropes and always strap through the drivewell, looping a separate line to each side of the front (or back) crossbar; at the other bar I lasso or loop the boat so it can't slide easily. If it does slide a little it won't go far (I drive up and down a steep hill so I'm used to the boat moving around). I don't cinch the boat down too tight -- snug is good. IMO, straps are a waste of money and can be rather annoying -- lots of people like them though, or think they need to use them.

If you want more traction on your cross bars for a better grip there are some tapes that would work well. A little experimentation will find what works best for you.

Two straps through the scupperholes and a single tie-down in front...sounds like a wrap!
After some thought, i will go buy some rubber-foam for the bars, so the yak "sinks" down on these when strapped - and then it shouldnt move around.
I will also look into the kayak-holders i linked to earlier. That should keep it from sliding side to side.

"Ho(b)bies = bottomless hole to throw money into"

the Thule "Hull a ports" are nice but might be too small for your revo (I think the Hull a Ports were like 17" tall and the Revo is 28" wide). I bought some Yakima Mako saddles and mounted them on crossbars on a trailer. the saddles have a grippy part in the middle so that when you tighten the included straps the grippy parts grab your yak.

Noted! I will take a closer look at the saddle-types, and the Yakima-brand, as it seems to be somewhat cheaper than Thule.

I have ordered the Thule 873 (Hydroglide). Couldn't sleep well at night without knowing if the yak would be secure upthere.

Excellent choice! I've been using that combo for the past 8 years and think it is the best. Easy to use, no problems with rotating saddles; rugged, versatile.

Hate to come in after the fact and possibly could have saved you some greenbacks. A swimming pool fun noodle sliced open or some pre-fabricated rack pads or even a $6.00 pipe insulation over the bar works great (if your rack is a bar system)then with strap just go from side of car up over yak under bar then back over yak back to the side of car going under bar again (inside the rack tower) and through buckle pull snug you do not need to overtighten and warp the yak and tie off the tag end. Recommended to always use a bow and stern line for safety.

I have two Thule 66" bars on towers with pipe insulation held with velcro straps and I carry two revolutions atop an XTerra no problem. It is easy to slide them up onto the pipe insulation from the rear using a quilt on the roof. No need for J-racks, hully rollers or 'Y' racks or posts (of course they LOOK better) but not needed.

Hope was beneficial feedback.

Revo

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Thanks for the idea, Revo. But yes - the gliding greenlanders are already ordered - so the money-saving part is kinda passé. But i will keep it in mind, should the need arise some other day or on another occasion.

Sometimes, i must admit i am also better off with letting my thumbs stay in the pocket, and pay the price it costs to be "lazy"

I am going to make a rack on my water scooter to ferry my 2008 outback to different fishing holes. And I have to haul it right side up. I was thinking of some kinda saddles. Road Runner said I think that he has been using Hydo-Guides. I am looking for the best bet that wont put dents in my yak.
Brazos

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Just an added note. I carry both my revolutions upright on the pipe insulation. I have 1-1/2" Ram ball mounts on the gunwales so sliding them up upside down is out of the question. I could slide them up and then flip them over but they ride just fine right side up.

Revo

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

I wonder about leaving them on the rack for a long time.
Brazos

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my bow rope snapped today going 100km/hr on the highway. Kayak hit the highway shearing off the rudder system and fishfinder mount. Massive scratches. Rope went under the 4wd wrapping the front wheel and severed brake line. Not a good day. Need to come up with a better system.