|
|
OT: Paging the Kayakisti with roof bars on cars
|
SWMBO and lad have been hooked on kayaking after having a go at the Lac
de Vassiviere. A relative who is an expert in these matters has acquired
a couple of 'sit-on' type kayaks for us. I will need to transport them
and he reckons their weight is not an issue for carrying on car roof
bars. The Octavia already has estate car type bars so I am researching
what to get to supplement those.
I keep coming across 'Thule' systems. Opinions?
|
I got a cycle rack a while back and while researching for that, Thule
seemed to get good reviews which is why I eventually bought one. It is
very well made and suited for purpose. I have no reason to believe
that their roof mount systems will not be of the same quality.
|
|
Thule are very good ime, but also very spendy. The cheap option would
be some large bore pipe lagging to go over the bars & normal tie-down
straps.
|
Yebbut don't get that cheapy pipe insulation from B&Q.
Go to a refrigeration wholesaler (Climate Center or HRP) and get
Armaflex.
|
|
Most people prefer to carry their canoes lengthways on the car roof
rather than sideways.
|
I didn't think I needed to add "with cheapo crossbars" - ytc.
|
You didn't really but my mind boggled for just a second.
I am a bit wary of improvisation in view of Pip's recent trailer of doom
comments.
Your pioneer corps approach solution does appeal to my pikey side
though.
|
I didn't use to bother with a roofrack at all when carrying my
windsurfer on the Corvette - mainly because it's not easy to fit a
roofrack to a T-top. I just layed it on the roof with a couple of bits
of pipe lagging, then strapped it round the edge of the T-top.
The best one was with my old yank full-size Cherokee. It had an
electric rear window in the tailgate, so I used to drop the window,
slide the windsurfer in so just the last couple of feet were sticking
out the back, then raise the window to trap the board against the roof.
So much easier than faffing around with roofracks & straps :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thule v. good and v. expensive. Paddy Hopkirk at around £33 did the bob
for me and my CRV.
|
|
I've got Thule Aerobars on my '03 Octavia estate, which I expect has
the same roof rails as yours. As mentioned elsewhere, they are not
cheap, but I find that they are very easily getonandoffable (no tools)
and fit very well.
|
Can you see air under your OEM bars, or are they flush like the ones on
my CRV were?
|
Finally found a piccie...
Yes, like this one
|
A really rapid deployment factor would be worth paying a bit extra for
in my circumstances. A low profile solution is favoured to attempt to
keep under the shuttle and ferry height limits for extra charges.
|
It's certainly quick deploy and very solid
|
|
AOL
The top of the bars is 100mm above the roof
|
|
|
|
Thule is the best. Get bars that are long enough for the two boats
to sit side by side, and a piece of pipe-insulation as padding.
|
|
|