Steve,
Thanks for the advice. Your site is one that I have bookmarked previously and visited, nice work by the way. I would like to see your racks for sure. I see most people are leaning towards straps rather than bungees and that makes sense. What about putting a wooden bar across the top that attaches with bolts and wing nuts? Sort of a stockade for a kayak. Of course you'd have to make darn sure the wing nuts don't vibrate off. The only reason I've heard to use end lines in addition to the rack is that if the rack fails the boat won't become a projectile. I definitely think that any end lines should probably be brought to just being taut and not really snugged up tight. Just my theory and I have no working knowledge to back it up. I did see someone else's site recently that had wood cradles to hold the kayak on it's side as you stated you are doing. I like that but am going for the more neanderthal/cheap method myself. If I get too flashy with a rack, I'll have to get a new truck....hey....there's an idea.

--Tony

: Tony,
: Sounds like what I did for a rack to transport my Guillemot. I traced the
: forms at the proper position to create cradles. I then placed the cradles
: on the roof rack (also used to carry ladders) of my van. A couple of
: straps and presto! I drove 3 hours to New Hampshire last fall and other
: trips too, no problems. I prefer straps to bungees because, once tightened
: they stay put, and don't seem to be affected by gusts. I would steer away
: from lines on the ends, I wonder if they place excessive stress on the
: boat.
: I'm making a rack to go on a trailer that I already have. I now have 2 wooden
: kayaks, 2 plastic kayaks and a canoe. I plan to use the cradle idea for
: the wooden boats, and carry the tupperyaks on edge, like the Thule-style
: setup. When I get it done, I'll post the results.
: Have fun!
: Steve
: www.steve-frederick.com