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Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=46527
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Author:  joemoglia [ Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

Hi There!

I am pretty new to kayaking and Hobie world and I was wondering if anyone has faced and solved the problem I am facing…

On a hot summer day when transporting my 2008 Revolution 13 on my roof rack the hull starts to depress/dent around the roof rack saddles. Starting out I am careful not to over tighten the straps but when I stop for gas and check the kayak I feel like there is so much ‘play’ that I need tighten the straps to keep the boat from sliding around… which then makes the dents worse…

So far I have been able to use some hot water and some gentle persuasion to get the hull back into shape… but it can be time consuming and I am sure that the repetition cannot be good for the life of the kayak…

Any ideas on how I might avoid this? What am I doing wrong? Any modifications I can try? I hate to get a new roof rack but I will if it helps keep my kayak in good shape.

- I have a Thule 833 ‘Glide and set’ rack.
- I use both bow and stern lines.
- The boat is pretty empty… it may have a life jacket and some ropes in it but all the other gear goes in the car.
- I experience denting from both the ‘glide’ saddle and the ‘rubber’ saddle…
- The kayak is ‘right-side-up’ in the saddles.
- The duration of the few trips so far have been 2 to 4 hours all the way to 10 hours.

http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Products/ ... de-and-Set

Thank you!!

Author:  mmiller [ Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

joemoglia wrote:
Any ideas on how I might avoid this?


Best way? Get rid of the saddles and flip the kayak rail-down on the rack. That is the best recommended position. The rails are stiff and better support the load.

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12564

Image

Author:  joemoglia [ Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

Thanks Matt… That sounds like a plan… I will give that a try…

Just one follow-up question… I have a Honda Element which is probably about the same height as the van in the picture… With the setup I am using now I can load the kayak by myself (It’s not fun but I can do it) from the rear of the car using the ‘glide’ saddles….

In your experience what is the best approach for someone to try to load a kayak by themselves rail-down without the ‘glide’ saddles where I am assuming that you would have to load from the side?

Would you suggest a product where a pole extends from the rack for loading allowing you to lift one end of the kayak at a time?

http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Products/ ... trigger-II

Thanks again!
-Joe

Author:  RPL [ Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

Hi Joe,
I have exactly that telescoping rack extension for my Thule rack. When you extend the rack to the side and set your kayak on it it will seem rather flexible. However, it works well and allows you to place the other end of the kayak on the remaining rack on an angle, then readjust the kayak and push the telescoping back inside the permanent rack. All of this can be done by one person and save your back and alot of headaches. It's a fairly inexpensive fix and I highly recommend it. Good luck!

Author:  mmiller [ Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

That sounds like the best solution. I like the side extension.

Author:  joemoglia [ Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

Thank you both!

Author:  TNOutback [ Wed May 22, 2013 7:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

I have noticed the same issue with my Revos while using a Yakima saddle and Hullyroller combination. My vehicle is a Chevy Silverado 2500 4x4, so with racks, it is really high off the ground. I use the Hullyrollers to roll the Revos onto the rack bow-first from the back of the truck. I'm not sure how I would get them up there otherwise due to the height of the truck.

With the Revo on the rack, the Hullyroller supports are just in front of the scupper holes. Would it help minimize any dents by positioning the rollers further back on the kayak?

Author:  KayakingBob [ Wed May 22, 2013 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

Over the scupper holes would be about the strongest point.

Author:  mnormand [ Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hot Weather and Dents from the Roof Rack Saddles

Sorry for bringing up a weeks old topic, but to save some potential grief for others.... I tried my Revo13 on my saddles for a short while I first got it, thought it looked cool, until sand and grit got between them and started scuffing up the nice blue plastic. :shock: Went to upside down hauling immediately since then!

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