: I am trying to identify a used car that can convey both my kayaks at the same
: time. We don't want a minivan or an SUV, so a wagon seems the ticket. The
: combined weights of my CLC Triple and mt CLC 17LT are around 125 pounds. I
: was looking at a Taurus wagon (nice long roof), but found in the owners
: manual that the racks are only rated for 100 pounds. Questions for folks
: who carry more than one kayak: 1) What vehicle do you use and how has it
: worked out?

: 2) Are there any upgrades available to factory racks that increase their load
: capacity?

: 3) At what point do boats become large enough that wind loads from side gusts
: become a concern? In other words, will having these two boats up top cause
: problems when gusts hit the car from the side?

: 4) Any comments from Tarus/Sable owners? How about older Volvo wagon owners
: (my other leading contender - 75 inch bar spread possible on 700/900
: series wagons with yakima racks).

: By the way, speding a lot on cars would preclude my kayak habit. I am looking
: at the lower priced end of the used car market.

: Thanks in Advance.

: Steve C

A few weeks ago we drove 5 hours, at speeds up to 130km per hour. We had on the top of the car 3 sea kayaks. The car was a 1981 honda civic. It did have a roof rack. The old bar style. Worked really well. (yes people stared at us, I'd like to think it was the stripper on top, but I'm not sure)

Today I managed to get my canoe, and my sea kayak on my car. 1994 Chev Cavalier. No roof rack. It was ugly, but it worked well enough to get us 1/2 out of town at speeds of 100km/hr or so. had to stop 3 times to re-tie down. I would not want to have made the same trip as with the three kayaks on the Civic.

The Civic was a world better with that old roof rack. The curvature of the cavaliers roof made it hard to secure the boats. I had the foam blocks... and really had to jimmy rig it.

I suspect these contoured roof racks on the new cars will not be as good. The cross pieces are much shorter., usually less than the width of the car. I've never tried to use one. I'd no like to have to hoist up on top of a SUV or minivan... I suspect the extra height would be a bother. Plus I'd drive into my garage and destroy the canoe cause there is not enough clearance at the garage door.

hmm... I guess I've not answered any questions yet.

When I have the single canoe or kayak on my car it works great. tied at both ends, and then strapped through the doors. Rock solid, no worries on the wind at all. the trick is to get the tension at the front and the back equal, so that the weight is distributed over the pads well. Then the two sinch (or cinch, or sinsh...??) stapes in place. I think I could get two kayaks up there with foam blocks and be equally happy.

but end of the day.. thouse old bar roof racks... rain gutters awh.. the good old days.

Myrl