Leo

I'm very sorry to hear of the damage. It's could have been worse, so you're fortunate in a sense. If you're near San Diego, I'll help you rebuild it, and the beers are on me.

I tried to open the photoisland, but the site wouldn't work with the security settings, and photoisland privacy statement versus the type of cookies doesn't agree, so nix on the site. Sorry that I couldn't view the images, forgive me.

The kayak can be fixed, and you should do it. Rob Pruden is currently on the last stages of putting his big chunks of kayak back together, so it can be done. Sage did an immaculate and exquisite job patching the 5 holes in his yak. Don't worry about the details yet, start by sanding out the varnish and some of the glass to feather in the new addition. They'll be some eveidence down the road, but you have to look hard, more so the patch match will be the obvious give away. But...you'll have a yak to paddle and scrape up again, and that is the mission objective, not making some pristine gem for a museum collection. Besides that, the ol' trooper is now a true veteran, staying together in unbelievable abuse. A credit to the builder without doubt! Take a bow, sir, you did a great job building a true tank of a kayak.

About racks...Thule and Yakima. If you do a search of the archives I have posted issues in the past with both companies. After making a huge stink over the cam cleat design for the tracks on SUVs, and my NOI, and apparently a suit by others, Thule quietly eliminated the design. Thule is receptive to replacing the flawed Hullaport with the new Set-to-go saddles. Do this by sending pictures in a letter certified and Registered Receipt Request, demanding replacement. You'll also notice in their literature and website that they say bow and stern lines are required. In other words, this admits that the the cradle itself is known to fail.

One should always put the straps around yak and bar, and I recommend 4 straps per kayak. Also, tie the bow and stern to minimize roof attachment stress. The Jeep line and several GM and Chysler vans have roof rack attachments to sheet metal (!) and not to an underlying structure. Talk about bad designs!!!

That said, the stress on the rack cradles indicates a bad cradle design. Plastic at stress points is tatamount to criminal stupidity on Thule's part. Yakima is no better with several really screwed designs, too.
When I mentioned how lucky you are, if that yak caused damge, injury or accident, that misdemeanor then becomes a felony in several states. My opinion is that the misleading advertisement and inept design by the rack manufacturers is at fault to some degree.

I truly wish this didn't happen, that damn cradle shouldn't have let go if it was made like it should have been. The group is around and my offer stands. Best to ya, amigo, we're eaer to hear of progress.