Again, thanks to everyone for all your input.

While in the shower this morning, I had a flash of brilliance as my
father's words came back to me: "avoid moving parts whenever possible
and shun automation!". While this little project hardly concerns
automation, and not much in the way of moving parts, the general gist
of his admonition was KISS.

So, along those lines, I started thinking simple (and crude). Here's
what I'm going to try. Take a 8'-2X4 and place it across the front of
the van roof, by the front roofrack crossbar. Now lash it into place
along the crossbar. Now I should have about 3.5' of 2X4 jutting out
past the side of the van. While I know I'm an idiot in terms of things
practical and mechanical, but I can't see a 2X4 not holding up this
kayak. What do you guys think?

Then, when I'm done, the 2X4 stays up on the rack next to the kayak.

Are there any flaws in this crude version of an extension bar?

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

On 16 Mar 2005 09:07:17 -0800, "BCITORGB"
wrote:

So, along those lines, I started thinking simple (and crude). Here's
what I'm going to try. Take a 8'-2X4 and place it across the front of
the van roof, by the front roofrack crossbar. Now lash it into place
along the crossbar. Now I should have about 3.5' of 2X4 jutting out
past the side of the van. While I know I'm an idiot in terms of things
practical and mechanical, but I can't see a 2X4 not holding up this
kayak. What do you guys think?

Then, when I'm done, the 2X4 stays up on the rack next to the kayak.

Are there any flaws in this crude version of an extension bar?

Depends on the state, but generally it is not legal to drive with
something on the roof which extends beyond the footprint of the car.

You would need to slide the 2x4 back onto the roof when loaded.

Note that this also means that it is not legal to put 78" bars on the
top of your compact car.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

Gary says:
===============
Depends on the state, but generally it is not legal to drive with
something on the roof which extends beyond the footprint of the car.

You would need to slide the 2x4 back onto the roof when loaded.
===================

ROTFL! No, here in Canada we get to have all sorts of things jutting
out past the car's footprint. It might have something to do with our
British heritage: jousting and all, don't you know.... GRIN....

Yes, of course the 2X4 with be fastened length-wise.

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

On 16-Mar-2005, "BCITORGB" wrote:

No, here in Canada we get to have all sorts of things jutting
out past the car's footprint.

Better double check that - in Ontario you can't and you also have
to tie down the bow and stern of a canoe/kayak if it extends
over the roof.

Mike

Mike thinks:
==============
Better double check that - in Ontario you can't and you also have
to tie down the bow and stern of a canoe/kayak if it extends
over the roof.
==============

I was just kidding Gary who, I guess, had visions of me driving down
the highway with four feet of 2X4 sweeping people off the sidewalks.
LOL

We're crazy out here in BC, but not that loony.

Cheers,
Wilf
========

On 16 Mar 2005 14:16:02 -0800, "BCITORGB"
wrote:

Mike thinks:
==============
Better double check that - in Ontario you can't and you also have
to tie down the bow and stern of a canoe/kayak if it extends
over the roof.
==============

I was just kidding Gary who, I guess, had visions of me driving down
the highway with four feet of 2X4 sweeping people off the sidewalks.
LOL

We're crazy out here in BC, but not that loony.

If you had seen some of the overwidth boat carrying setups that I have
seen, you would understand that it is not just a vision.

Not all share your level of sanity.

The damn things are dangerous even when parked, for people trying to
walk by. On city streets, they could be lethal.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

BCITORGB wrote:
Gary says:
===============
Depends on the state, but generally it is not legal to drive with
something on the roof which extends beyond the footprint of the car.

You would need to slide the 2x4 back onto the roof when loaded.
===================

ROTFL! No, here in Canada we get to have all sorts of things jutting
out past the car's footprint. It might have something to do with our
British heritage: jousting and all, don't you know.... GRIN....

Yes, of course the 2X4 with be fastened length-wise.

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

See, I told you Red Green would be proud of you, and should have you on
his show as a guest inventor! Basically what I had in mind, especially
the shower part. Some say my ideas are all wet, and I say, they should
be. I came up with them in the shower!

What you might think in terms of, is use a shorter 2x4, slightly wider
than the existing rack, up to the width of the van, that is lashed down
to the existing rack. All your foam support will be attached to this.
Use one of these on the front and back of the van, so that you could
use the following extender to load from front or back, and from either
side of vehicle. You will eventually find yourself up against a tree or
a drop off or cliff, where you can not always load/unload from the same
side.

Then use a full eight footer that will just be used temporarily to load
the Kayak. This would be lashed along side and temporarily to the
shorter 2x4. The shorter 2x4 would give you clearance for the longer
one to fit under the hull of the boat when you lift it into place. Then
you will be able to remove the longer 2x4, and tie along side hull for
transport, as you already thought of.

Now if you want to really get with this part of the program, actually
carry 2 of these longer 2x4, one extended in front, and one in back,
that can be used as a frame to support a privacy tarp along side your
vehicle. This way, you could have a little changing room even in a busy
parking lot, or road side, and if you put a tarp over the top you would
have privacy from low flying planes, and some rain shelter as well.
Besides looking at that pile of foam, you are definitely getting the
hang of getting your van to blend into a parking lot of boater
vehicles!

You would normally put this shelter alongside the sliding door side of
the van, so that you can access the van interior. This is especially
important when you get your wet suit on Fathers Day, that you will want
to put it on at the launch site, and don't want everyone seeing the
short, plump, old guy in a Speedo getting in to or out of the wetsuit.
Once you get it on, you look pretty cool, like Jacque! The gymnastics
of donning a wetsuit, can be intrigueing to say the least, and rate up
there with some Olympic sports, or at least what goes on at some local
strip joints, and is equally interesting to watch! And if this is not
ugly enough, it would certainly destroy the mystery of what is worn
under the kilt!

This would also give you a small shower area, if you want to wash salt
off when you get back to the van, before you head home. Makes that trip
more enjoyable for everyone, if it is very long. You can carry a sun
shower in the car, or several gallons of fresh water, get a floor pan
to stand in, or just a pair of flip-flops. Your daughters and wife, may
especially appreciate this small bit of civilization, after a long
paddle trip, and who knows what other great ideas you will come up with
while in the shower, maybe a ho****er tank on top of the van!

This also gives you a place to quickly store your kayak, if you are out
tripping and don't want to leave it on the shore, or go to the trouble
of actually tying it on the vehicle. I ran into the situation whild
camping, where the authorities would not allow any boat to stay at
waters edge overnight. All boats had to be reloaded on boat trailer
every night, and relaunched every AM. This included smaller roof
mounted craft. Even though I did not have to use the boat ramp, this
policy may have had more to do with the $6.00 boat ramp fee they
charged everytime the bigger boats had to launch using it. What a money
maker that was for someone!

Anyway, you are definitely getting the hang of this. Now if we can get
you to fall off your workbench a few more times, landing of course on
your head, you will be ready for Red Green! TnT