Rack for two yaks

I've had issues wish the Cam straps slipping when they get wet.

one thing I do (that Lee makes fun of me for) is tie a couple overhand knots right against the cam  after it's all tightened down to help prevent slipping. I do the same on my bow and stern lines.

Ask The Nothing what his thoughts are on this subject. 
Sad misfortune testing that out at highway speeds.

This thread is something you should look at.  http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7552.msg80216#msg80216

Didn't know about Kayak insurance.  Calling State Farm today.

Both State Farm and Allstate cover kayaks for almost nothing.


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When speaking of attaching the front and back... does everyone do this?  It seems like I rarely see yaks tied down like that.  Also, would it accomplish the same thing to run a line from the front/rear of the yak to the rack, in addition to the other tie downs.

My OEM Subaru rack buckled with a single kayak on the roof, was glad I had the additional tie down points on the boat...

one thing I do (that Lee makes fun of me for) is tie a couple overhand knots right against the cam  after it's all tightened down to help prevent slipping. I do the same on my bow and stern lines.

I do the same thing when strapping my ATV's down to the trailer, or even in the back of my truck. 

It's free, and easy to accomplish.  No harm, no foul. 

ouch... thanks for bringing that up guys... 

Two SOTs will weight more than 100#s, unless you're using those $150 jobbers from WalMart, Freddy's or BiMart. Regardless, BOW AND STERN STRAPS MUST BE USED. I was just 2 miles from home when I lost my rack with the kayaks attached, and was pretty much halfway to my destination. Yakima replaced the rack but they didn't replace the kayaks. Their weight limit is for bare bars, so your aluminim setup subtracts from the total weight limit (which, on some cars, is as little at 75lbs). I'm quite certain they wouldn't even call you back if you experienced a failure with your add-on (not saying that its not a quality build...)

I had driven over 1000 miles with two kayaks on the roof of the same car, in the same configuration and at the same speeds (if not faster) when my rack failed. When it happens, it's not good. And, if you're exceeding specified expectations, the rack will eventually fail.

As everyone else mentioned, I also throw in a lil half hitch against the cam. I also run bow/stern straps all the time. Even on my convertible where the kayaks are actually affixed to a reinforced, structurally integral part of the car--they still get bow/stern straps.

Enough of my rant... it's just this thing I have now... It sucks to have to recycled $3000 in plastic...

Thanks for all the input. I am thankful to get to learn the stuff I need to know.  My kayak weight 56 and 39 pounds... Trident 13 and a mini-x... The rack is supposed to do 125#.  There may be a better way, but this is the only way I have to transport the kayaks.  I am convinced of the need for bow/stern lines... But what do I attach then to?  My mini has handles but the same cannot be said for my trident. It's handles are on rope attacked to the budgie lines on the yak.  I am figuring each boat should have its own line, right?  Forgive the total newb questions....

Sorry for twisting the knife Nothing.  Good to read that healing and repairs are coming along.

Just like my old man with an aluminum canoe, I rarely tied up the bow and stern until reading that thread.  Figured I was good with a 56" crossbar spread and never did have a problem but had to ask myself why I wasn't bothering.  Adding lines increases safety/security and I feel less inclined to reef on the crossbar straps.

revjcp - There has gotta be something metal under the bumper to tie off to.  Yakima has these that might help.  http://www.yakima.com/shop/water/water-accessories/anchor-strap

Yes your right.  There should be some loops under your car where you can hook up to.  Check out this posting to see my set up. 

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7492.msg79210#msg79210

If you need another tie down point on the yak you could always add a pad eye or two.  I use the carry handels to tie off to for bow and stern.

I made front tie downs for my car because I didnt want it to go over the bumper. First I started with 1" - 2" webbing. Folded them in half and sewed the to make a loop. Then heated up a screw driver(small one) and melted holes into them so they could fit a screw through it. In the second picture you will see the fender bolt I used to hold it down. and in the third pic is what it looks like with them out. I like the webbing option because when im not using them I can just flip them over and they will stay hidden. The fourth pic is my two yaks on my car using the Yakima stacker.

Does that wing help any?

Great Idea on some tiedown spots.

Does that wing help any?

Great Idea on some tiedown spots.

Dont know, but I have gone 70mph with the yaks up there on my way to Hagg.

Rev, your kayaks do NOT weigh what you think they do.  Nearly all kayak companies listed weight is just the hull.  Doesn't count seat, plugs, rivits, none of the things that are screwed on.

More importantly, the weight isn't a concern as much as you think it is, WIND resistance is a concern, particularly when you carry them sideways like giant sails.  Force = Mass x Velocity SQUARED.  Put your hand out the window at 35, then put your hand out the window at 60 (palm forward, fingers together)  Now imagine your hand is the size of both your kayaks.  That kind of force could rip your arm right off.

Like Ravdakot said, if you go over 50 mph, or near it, you need to use bow and stern straps.  Just because you see a bunch of idiots on our highways not doing it, doesn't mean it's right. 

Something else to think about, your rack is square bars, that's even more wind resistance, which means more forces that have to accounted for. 

If I had your setup I'd take out the center post and put the small yak down first, and the bigger yak directly on top of it, both of them upside down. 


As for tying knots in cam straps, I see why people do it, but what ravdakot left out is that my cams hold really well, and his hold kinda so-so.  Driving 4 hours at 60-70 mph I find ZERO slip in the straps at my destination.  (he also left out that he doesn't tie A knot, he ties like 10)