timo wrote:
After losing my racks and a sea kayak several years ago, I never car top without bow and stern lines and if I see a car with a boat on top without bow and stern lines on the road ahead, I get out from behind as quickly as possible.
Hi Timo, The bow and stern lines are only there to prevent the flexing/oscillating of the boat in the wind with only a narrow clamped area on the rook rack. In NO WAY could these lines play any part in keeping the boat attached to the car in the event of it coming off. Think about it, you could put chains if you wanted to, but attached to the little eyelets on the bow and stern? On my rack I have taken the rack base out to 2.3 metres, where the hull has no chance at flexing at 110 km/hr highway speed.
It all comes down to the strength of the racks as a whole system and a VERY secure quality ratcheting web tie down system.
Additionally, I plan to replace the Thule brackets every 2 years as an added precaution. Peter
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Had: Mirage Tandem, Outback, Adventure Island
Have: Tandem Island