Cartopping Boats
 

Hey Y'all

Been wondering for a while why recommendations I've read and seen in
practice indicate that boats on a cartop carrier should have the hull on the
car-side of the rig. Especially with an open canoe it seems like it would
accumulate rainwater. I'm usually carrying a sea kayak, and orient the deck
adjacent to the roof of the car (that is, hull up). Never caused a problem,
but would be happy to know other's perspective on this issue. Is this some
sort of aerodynamic deal?


All advice appreciated,

Bill Rezny

Cartopping Boats
 

I always carry canoes upside down, they tie down better and don't accumulate
rain water. Kayaks, I always carry right side up since their bottoms are
flatter than their tops and therefore easier to tie down (and their cockpits
are small enough to not accumulate large amounts of rain water.
Rick

Cartopping Boats
 

I always carry canoes upside down, they tie down better and don't
accumulate
rain water. Kayaks, I always carry right side up since their bottoms are
flatter than their tops and therefore easier to tie down (and their
cockpits
are small enough to not accumulate large amounts of rain water.
Rick

The only reason I carry my sea kayak with the deck up is because the Yakima
cradles I have are set up that way. I'd carry my boat hull up if I could.
But you can always put on a cockpit cover. I don't know if they make them
for sea kayaks, but for whitewater boats you can buy a gear bag that doubles
as a cockpit cover...

Cartopping Boats
 

Let's not forget that there is the bad mojo you get from not putting your
boat up properly. The bow always get pointed forward and the boat is always
deck up for a sea kayak. Deck down for a WW boat so that it can rest.

Seriously though. My deck is too high to car top the boat deck down. It
would hit the roof. I like the J-craddles any way. The boats are much
stronger on their sides.

Cartopping Boats
 

"Geoff Jennings" wrote in
t:

YOu can break a composite boat through overzealous strap tightning
too....

I've seen the aftermath...

Geoff




I have seend it two. I guy I saw put a big crack on a brand new double
glass boat. It was a sad day. Fool...

David

Cartopping Boats
 

Years ago I managed an outdoor store, and we sponsored a Mad River
Canoe demo day. Afterwards I was helping the MRC rep load the 20 or so
boats on his trailer, and accidentally loaded one stern-front (or
bunny backwards for you MRC folks). He seriously chastised me, saying
"The bunny always faces front." (Mad River Canoes have their trademark
"confident rabbit" logo on the bow of the boat.)

"Eric Johnson" wrote in message ...
Let's not forget that there is the bad mojo you get from not putting your
boat up properly. The bow always get pointed forward and the boat is always
deck up for a sea kayak. Deck down for a WW boat so that it can rest.