On 5-Apr-2006, Richard Ferguson wrote:

(Running the bow line all the way to the bumper would be
too far forward, and would tend to wear out the paint on the hood,
bumper, etc.).

My Honda is in its fourteenth year and I've carried various boats (canoes, WW
and sea kayaks) on the roof countless times all over eastern Canada and the
US. I tie the bow and stern lines to steel tie-down bits under the bumpers. I
have never had any damage to the paint. I use polyester line purchased at a
marine shop.

Either some folks are leaving their lines way too slack, use abrasive rope or
have cars painted with kindergarden paints.

YMMV as always.

Mike