> Hi Everyone,

> I've built two CLC boats - a Ches 17 and 18. Anyway, my brother and father
> took both boats on the lake last week while I was at work. After a
> beautiful day of paddling they strapped the boats on the Suburban as usual
> (with straps and the blue foam blocks). On the way home - at a gingerly
> 45mph - the buckle on the bow strap of my Ches 17 breaks. I'm told the
> boat then swung around somehow and rolled off the truck. The boat was seen
> rolling down the road...

> Luckily, none of the cars behind them crashed into it. And remarkably the
> kayak is 99% intact. There are only a few lovely looking scrapes along the
> chine lines. Thanks to CLC for such a sturdy design. I could throw the
> thing in the water tonight without any worries!

> Lessons learned:

> 1. Don't use the blue straps with plastic buckles that come with the foam
> block cartopping kits - or at least use lots of them to be redundant.

> 2. Don't think this can't happen to you.

> 3. Never let family members use your kayaks! :-) (just kidding!)

> Happy Paddling,

> John

I too had one of those blue straps let go, the stitching came undone. I saw it go slack before anything came loose. I'm switching back to rope and a rack.

Mike