This is recent off the CLC BBS concerning the use of bow and stern lines and losing a kayak due to winds on the highway. beware those who only tiedown to their rack. no picture yet though.

i do feel terrible for this guys loss though. talk about nightmare.

Pete czerpak
albany, NY

Posted By: jason
Date: Tuesday, 24 October 2000, at 9:39 p.m.

Okay, all you intrepid builders, here's a dilemma. I need to do some major damage repair work on a CC18. Long story short: A wind gust ripped the factory roof rack off my truck on the freeway, taking my boat with it. It would have been only minor damage but for the following car, which promptly struck the boat midships, tearing out half the cockpit (port side). I will detail the damage, and would welcome any thoughts and ideas on repairs. 1.) Cockpit broken out on the port side, between the deck braces, down to the sheer clamps. I am thinking of trimming out the remainder of the deck between those braces down to the braces and sheer clamps and fitting in a new deck section and cockpit. Ideas? 2.) The rubrails sustained most of the grinding down the port side and will have to be replaced, but saved the hull for the most part. I do have a serious punch point on the bow end, about 3" x 5", but does not pierce the hull itself. Can I just sand that down, reglass and epoxy smooth, and will that give me enough strength? Also, below the cockpit, port side, is a 6" crack, which I think can be epoxied with a plywood patch on the inside (?). 3.) The stern end, unfortunately, was against the pavement as the car pushed it down the road, and has about 1/2" of the bottom ground off for a length of about 6", with some splintering in about 2". Can I simply cut that damage out and build up with thickened epoxy and glass? Again, any ideas are welcome. 4.) Three hairline cracks following the grain on the deck, one bow and two stern end. I am thinking just to sand down and epoxy, since the deck is not glassed. Amazingly, this was the only damage, and although it may seem like alot, I think I got off lucky. The boat landed on the roof rack, which sustained most of the road rash. I built this boat three and a half years ago, and am too attached to just cut it up and start over. So that's it. I couldn't think of any better way to start this than by soliciting everyone's help and ideas. Thanks in advance for the input, and I can follow up with details and questions if need be.

jason