On 18-Mar-2005, "BCITORGB" wrote:

See what you think about this: I cut deep into the 2x6 crosspiece
(rectangular cut) and then create a sling using a fairly wide webbing
strap (perhaps 1.5" wide to correspond to the 1.5" cross-section of the
2x6).

The sling idea is a good one, but I'd consider a combination of cutting
a bit into the top of the 2x6 and also making little towers of wood to
hold the ends of the webbing.

Also, the ideal place to support the kayak is at the bulkheads - just
behind and at the front of the cockpit. The bulkheads provide plenty
of strength and stiffness to keep the hull from deforming.

The issue here, I guess, is
ensuring that the straps can be securely mounted to the crosspiece
(grommets etc, eh?).

If you make a couple of "towers" to hold the straps, then this is easy.
Bolt the towers to the crosspiece (two bolts will do it - sloping the
towers to the outside will allow for more length to distribute load).
The towers could be 2x2 or 2x4 and only need to be tall enough to clear
the hull from anything underneath. Round the tops of the towers and
run the webbing over to the outside. Double (or triple) the webbing
by folding it over and use a hot nail to burn a couple of holes in
it. When you cut the webbing, use a lighter or match to burn the
cut end and melt the webbing so it won't fray.

Screw thru the holes with stainless steel wood screws and use
stainless versions of these things (cup washers):
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&p=40096&cat=3,41306,41316&ap=1
to hold the webbing.

Don't forget to allow for a place to attach the webbing that will
hold the kayak down on the rack. This can be big stainless eye bolts,
for example.

Mike

Michael suggests:
================
If you make a couple of "towers" to hold the straps, then this is easy.
Bolt the towers to the crosspiece (two bolts will do it - sloping the
towers to the outside will allow for more length to distribute load).
The towers could be 2x2 or 2x4 and only need to be tall enough to clear
the hull from anything underneath. Round the tops of the towers and
run the webbing over to the outside. Double (or triple) the webbing
by folding it over and use a hot nail to burn a couple of holes in
it. When you cut the webbing, use a lighter or match to burn the
cut end and melt the webbing so it won't fray.
==============

As always, much obliged!

Cheers,
Wilf

On 19 Mar 2005 13:35:19 -0800, "BCITORGB"
wrote:


As always, much obliged!

You do realize that this could take more in time and money than it
would to just buy the Thule racks and extender, right?

Long as you're straight on that and enjoying yourself, good kayaking
at ya'.

Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
email: lid (strip the .invalid to email)

Cyli asks:
==============
You do realize that this could take more in time and money than it
would to just buy the Thule racks and extender, right?
=================

Time for sure! Money, perhaps.

And I'm ever mindful of the fact that, with my complete lack of
woodworking skills, this could all be a huge cock-up. Yes, Cyli, I'm
afraid Very afraid!

Cheers,
Wilf
============

On 19-Mar-2005, Cyli wrote:

You do realize that this could take more in time and money than it
would to just buy the Thule racks and extender, right?

Time - yes, money - no and besides, makin' stuff is fun.

Mike

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 06:53:34 GMT, "Michael Daly"
wrote:

On 19-Mar-2005, Cyli wrote:

You do realize that this could take more in time and money than it
would to just buy the Thule racks and extender, right?

Time - yes, money - no and besides, makin' stuff is fun.

Mike


Problem with making stuff is that then you want to make more stuff.
It's like enjoying buying stuff. Pretty soon you've paid a lot for
stuff or the stuff to make stuff and you've got no place to put stuff.

We do have to warn him that if this works, he might start looking at
some of the simpler plans for how to make his own kayak, don't we?

Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
email: lid (strip the .invalid to email)

Cyli wrote:
On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 06:53:34 GMT, "Michael Daly"

wrote:

On 19-Mar-2005, Cyli wrote:

You do realize that this could take more in time and money than it
would to just buy the Thule racks and extender, right?

Time - yes, money - no and besides, makin' stuff is fun.

Mike


Problem with making stuff is that then you want to make more stuff.
It's like enjoying buying stuff. Pretty soon you've paid a lot for
stuff or the stuff to make stuff and you've got no place to put
stuff.

We do have to warn him that if this works, he might start looking at
some of the simpler plans for how to make his own kayak, don't we?

Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
email: lid (strip the .invalid to email)

We should probably start him off with some papyrus reeds! TnT

On 20 Mar 2005 22:31:55 -0800, "Tinkerntom" wrote:

(snipped)

We should probably start him off with some papyrus reeds! TnT

Is there, by the way, a midwestern US equivalent of papyrus reeds?
It'd be fun to float down river in for an overnighter on an island.
Especially if it were a day that the aluminum hatch was headed
downstream, too. More fun than doing willows and a tarp, which I have
contemplated a time or two.


Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
email: lid (strip the .invalid to email)

Cyli wrote:
On 20 Mar 2005 22:31:55 -0800, "Tinkerntom" wrote:

(snipped)

We should probably start him off with some papyrus reeds! TnT

Is there, by the way, a midwestern US equivalent of papyrus reeds?
It'd be fun to float down river in for an overnighter on an island.
Especially if it were a day that the aluminum hatch was headed
downstream, too. More fun than doing willows and a tarp, which I
have
contemplated a time or two.


Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
email: lid (strip the .invalid to email)

I have a Folbot, SOF, so I expect that willow and tarp should work just
fine if done right.

Reminds me of the Tom Hanks movie, when he was stranded on the island.
He had plenty of smaller pieces of wood branches, with the mylar tape,
and the old life raft, any good boy scout should have been able to form
a serviceable boat that would have been better than his raft. Oh well
he made it back to civilization, so I guess alls well that ends well.

I don't know whether cat-tail reeds would float when dried. We could
suggest that frtzw use them and let him find out for the rest of us
whether they would work or not. Naw, that would be mean, he'd probably
get wet and then be mad at the rest of us! Besides I am getting to like
the guy, and nice guys are hard to come by these days. TnT

"Cyli" wrote in message
...
On 20 Mar 2005 22:31:55 -0800, "Tinkerntom" wrote:

(snipped)

We should probably start him off with some papyrus reeds! TnT

Is there, by the way, a midwestern US equivalent of papyrus reeds?...

There is a common plant called the "giant reed"......grows along roadsides
(as well as other places) throughout the upper Great Lakes region. I've
looked up the Latin binomial in the past when I thought about growing it in
my yard, but don't remember it. It shouldn't be hard to find on Google.

I have no idea of how similar it is to papyrus. As a matter of fact, I
don't know much about either plant, but the giant reed is tubular and
hollow......seems like it ought to float.

Wolfgang