SK101: HANDLING, HAULING, & STORING YOUR KAYAK

Transcription

1 SK101: HANDLING, HAULING, & STORING YOUR KAYAK

2 LET S GET MOVING

3 1. Best ways to safely transport your kayaks 2. Handling & loading 3. Storage choices LET S DISCUSS

4 ROOF-RACK BASICS 1. Roof Rails (run front to back) may be factory equipment on your vehicle roof 2. Cross bars (run side to side) may be factory equipment or purchased to increase roof width 3. Optional Towers, Clips, &/or Feet specialized to hold cross bars firmly to rails. Required if there are no roof rails 4. Cradles / Rollers/ J Bars- to securely support your yak hull

5 THE BASICS ALWAYS INCLUDES BOW & STERN TIEDOWNS

6 A SHORT TERM/ LOW COST CHOICE Foam blocks either Placed on existing crossbars =rated for the load. Strap blocks & kayak directly on the roof -through the open doors* *Oops - Not through your open windows!

7 A PAIR OF UNIVERSAL FOAM BLOCKS FITTED OVER EXISTING CROSSBARS Cost:$40-80/pair as a kit w/ 2 straps & 2 tie downs.

8 USING BLOCKS DIRECTLY ON YOUR ROOF IS NOT A GREAT SOLUTION: Grit & sand damages roof paint finish Extra weight on the roof may dent & damage it Difficult to keep secure at highway speeds Load can shift sideways with strong wind

9 HERE S FITTED FOAM BLOCKS ON YAKIMA ROUND BARS

10 POPULAR MANUFACTURERS Yakima Thule Malone maloneautoracks.com can provide accessories fitting most vehicles Plus other manufacturers on-line

11 Types of Crossbars Square or oval cross bars prevent the cradles/rollers from rotating on the bar Round bars (older style Yakima) - an option-install your own set screws to prevent rotating Many manufacturers use aerodynamic oval bars-which reduces wind noise.

12 MANUFACTURER FIT GUIDES CUSTOMIZE YOUR RACK SYSTEM TO FIT YOUR VEHICLE Easy online or in local shops Lists all specific parts to fit your vehicle for its make, model & year

13 IF YOU HAVE EXISTING ROOF RAILS & CROSSBARS* easy to install 2cradles or pair of J-bars less expensive =$ /pair *DO check the load capacity for your vehicle rack it s in the vehicle manual. Total capacity often be less < 95 lb!

14 AN EXAMPLE OF CRADLES AND ROLLERS USING VEHICLE RAILS. THE PVC TUBE STORES A GREENLAND PADDLE

15 OR INSTALL CROSS-BARS & TOWERS DIRECTLY INTO TRUCK CAP

16 RACK SETUP FOR AN OPEN BED TRUCK SEVERAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE

17 CHOOSE EITHER A HORIZONTAL CRADLE: Padded saddles help kayak slide Easy to adjust width to fit all sizes Easier to load from the rear by one person

18 WITH SEVERAL FRONT CRADLE OPTIONS

19 Rollers-(Yakima HandRoll ) Allows for easy rear loading Fixed cradles- (Yakima DeckMates ) MANY OTHER BRANDS AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE. STYLES CHANGE QUITE OFTEN.

20 OR VERTICAL OPTIONS: padded J bars Kayak held on its edge Fits a narrow roof profile Can be awkward loading vehicles for us height- challenged singles Cost +$ /Pair May allow 2 kayaks loaded on edge on narrow roof Crosswinds can exert a lot of force on racks! Beware of bargain brands!

21 MANY CHOICES OF FOLDING J-BARS ARE VERY POPULAR. A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN FIXED STYLE.

22 STANDARD CRADLE/SADDLE/ROLLER KIT CONTAINS: 1 pair of saddles/cradles/rollers 1 tie-down rope & pulley 1 long strap w/locking buckle Estimated cost: $140+ each pair Need two pair per kayak* * Some sets come complete with two pairs of saddles.

23 STYLES OF CRADLES ARE CHANGING FITS MANY HULL SHAPES AND MANY CROSSBARS

24 HERE S THULE TIE DOWN KIT- $50 TYPICALLY INCLUDED WITH KITS I don t recommend using the open hook. It can come loose on a rough road.

25 ANOTHER OPTION : THULE HULLAVATOR Provides a specialized hydraulic LIFT ASSIST to handle the weight of the boat Lowers over side- to waist height Reduces back & height issues Increases height of load Cost +$800 + requires crossbars

26 HERE IT IS IN THE UP POSITION

27 EASY TO RELEASE To lower to waist height

28 A FOURTH OPTION : Keeps your gear easy to reach including paddles Easy to assembly yourself Easy to add storage Keep in mind backing up TOWING A LIGHT WEIGHT TRAILER EASY TO BUILD YOUR OWN TRAILER SET UP

29 Lightweight + Basic cost $2,000 + tags, tow hitch, insurance, etc. Plus Toll fees & parking fees In many areas ramp fees apply if you have a trailer.

30 HERE S A YAKIMA TRAILER $2,800.00

31 SOME HANDY HELPERS Short step ladder or stool a wheel step a rubber backed bath mat door steps pull out rack cross bar or rear bar

32 REMEMBER TO USE BOTH BOW & STERN TIE DOWNS! Hook to vehicle s steel undercarriage, bumper, or towing eye bolts. Always avoid the exhaust system & plastic grill fronts & bits!

33 UNDER HOOD/TRUNK TIE DOWNS Easy to use Can be purchased or DIY Attach to engine compartment bolts or secured by hood/trunk

34 Without tiedowns :Do not let this happen to you!

35 Always attach tie-downs securely the tension from a caught strap can distort or break any kayak. Avoid loose ends.

36 A KAYAK HORROR STORY: NO BOW TIE DOWN= ENTIRE RACK TRASHED

37 A LOOSE FRONT TIE-DOWN CAUGHT AROUND A FRONT TIRE = NEW KEVLAR KAYAK BENT IN HALF /TOTAL LOSS.

38 YET ANOTHER SAD STORY A LOOSE TIE DOWN QUICKLY YANKED UNDER A FRONT TIRE = A BENT BOAT..

39 PLUS A SMASHED WINDSHIELD OUCH!

40 IN SHORT: PLEASE STRAP IT! Always do it! Don t become distracted when tying your boat down. Check straps & tiedowns often which can loosen due to wind, wet weather & highway driving speeds. Kayak rack warranties require both straps AND front and rear tie-downs

41 WE RECOMMEND: If traveling long distances at highway speeds, double up on all straps and tiedowns. If your car has factory roof rails, run the main straps around the kayak, rack, and roof rail if possible. This keeps everything in place in the event of a rack failure.

42 2. MOVING ONTO HANDLING &CARRYING Please use care & common sense Kayaks can cause serious injury AAA reports 200,000 accidents per year due to improperly secured loads. Don t try this kind of quickie haul.

43 NO CROSSBARS -JUST TRYING TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE ROOF THEY TOLD THE POLICE Creates a road hazard!

44 LIFTING & LOADING Please ask your paddling friends for help Why? Many hands make light work= be paddling sooner!

45 A BIT OF YAK STATS: Weight = lbs Length = feet Wind can make loading difficult. Lifting incorrectly or trying to catch a falling boat can cause YOU serious injury- dislocate your shoulder Or break your yak!

46 TWO PEOPLE MAKE FOR EASY LOADING Each grab an end Lift yak overhead together Here s us doing a quick vertical workout

47

48 CARRYING SOLO NEEDS PRACTICE & DEPENDS ON THE WEIGHT OF YOUR KAYAK, LIGHTER IS BETTER Hold the kayak cockpit & swivel to your shoulder. Use a knee up to help lift. Rest on your shoulder inside cockpit.

49 WOULD YOU TRY THIS? LOOKS easy? I wouldn t try it

50 ANOTHER SOLUTION : KAYAK WHEELS MAKING EASY GOING ON ROUGH TERRAIN Easy to use kayak carts let you walk your boat & gear over longer distances from your vehicle!

51 KAYAK CARTS CAN BE DIY- The best models use easy-to-dissemble wheels & pull apart for storage inside a back hatch.

52 WHEELS WORK FOR ANY KIND OF BOAT!

53 FOR LOADING YOUR KAYAK BY YOURSELF TRY THIS: Use a rug or pad over the vehicle hood or rear roof edge kayak slides easily and reduces roof scratches

54 FIRST- SET THE KAYAK BEHIND THE VEHICLE

55 LIFT BY COCKPIT OR BY THE BOW

56 PLACE ON ROOF

57 HOLD STEADY & WALK TO STERN

58 LIFT STERN

59 UP TO SHOULDER LEVEL

60 PUSH ONTO CRADLES

61 PLEASE USE MANUFACTURER S STRAPS & BUCKLES SNUG- NOT TOO TIGHT Do not use trucker s rubber tie-downs, or elastic bungees. Use non-stretching rope only if skilled with knots. Poly cambuckel straps are easier. Do not use ratchet straps. It s easy to overtighten and damage the boat

62 YOU & YOUR YAK ARE TALLER = CHECK YOUR NEW HEIGHT! Watch for lowoverhead trees, your own garage door, parking garages

63

64 AND LONGER! you have a NEW 2-6+ foot overhang Watch when backing, parking and other vehicles

65 Please do use a red caution flag on your stern Bright Flagging for over sized- loads may be required by law depending on your travels & jurisdiction.

66 AFTER CLASS - PLEASE JOIN US OUTSIDE & CHECK OUT DIFFERENT KAYAK RACK - OPTIONS And now one last topic

67 3. STORAGE SOLUTIONS FIRST : what works for your storage space.inside or outside?

68 INSIDE Install any style padded J hangers spaced approximately over the interior bulkheads

69 OR BUILD YOUR OWN GARAGE WALL RACK & HANGERS

70 GO SIMPLE: PADDED SAWHORSES OR SIT FLAT ON THE FLOOR FOR PLASTIC KAYAKS.

71 OR BUILD YOUR OWN RACK UNDER A BACK DECK OR BASEMENT RACK OR BUILD YOUR OWN WHEELED RACK LIKE THIS EXAMPLE INCLUDE A PADDED RACK

72 OR GO BASIC - PADDED RACK

73 BUILDING YOUR DIY RACK IS EASY

74 OR BUY A CUSTOM ROLLING-RACK-ON- WHEELS THERE ARE LOTS OF SOLUTIONS!

75 OUTSIDE Use a kayak cover & 2 sawhorses/camp chairs

76 OR INSTALL THE SAME KIND OF J- BARS ON OUTSIDE HANGERS

77 OR BUILD IT BIG

78 OR EVEN CREATE A SPECIAL FLOATING STORAGE

79 OR SET UP AN OVERHEAD CEILING PULLEY STORAGE OVER YOUR CAR.PLEASE RELEASE THE KITTY FIRST.

80 HERE S ANOTHER BRAND TO RESEARCH:

81 PS: REMEMBER TO CHECK WINTER STORAGE PREVENTING EXTRA GUESTS! Rubber hatches are not necessarily varmintproof.

82 GOOD THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN STORING YOUR YAK OUTSIDE Use a cover or kayak bag (be sure kayak is dry & drained) Keep off the ground to reduce attracting varmints, nesting birds, spiders, snakes, or wasps Upside down to keep out rain water Try to protect from UV damage

83 Here s our Top Ten Tips for Happy Kayaking Transport: 1. Allow plenty of time to load 2. Always use bow & stern tiedowns 3. Always use a cockpit cover your open cockpit is a huge wind drag or spend time bailing rainwater out of your boat at the ramp MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO LOOSE LINES

84 4. check your tiedowns periodically when traveling long distances in the rain even straps can loosen! 5. Drive a reasonable pace the effect of cross winds, especially on high bridges, can affect your control 6. never leave extra tiedown gear at home / lying behind at the launch **LOOK AROUND FOR LOOSE GEAR OR A PADDLE LEFT BEHIND**

85 Who needs a roof rack? BAD SHORTCUTS

86 7. Always affix a stern caution flag, remember your vehicle s length & combined height has grown 8. Do check rules of the road for your area DC, MD, VA, PA differ 9. do annual inspection of all your tie down gear for wear & tear 10. GO HAVE A SAFE, GREAT TRIP!

87 IN CLOSING! Pick the best system for you & your vehicle Use care loading & hauling Set up creative- convenient storage you will using your boats more often

88 LOADED & LET S GO! QUESTIONS? 2022 Sue and Rich Stevens