: Quick question. Any compelling reason to load you boats on a roof
: rack upside down, right side up or on J cradles? Each boat is
: different or course and some may not fit one way or the other.
: Just curious if one way stands out as better as in safer or more
: fuel efficient? Or for some reason is better. Looks like a toss
: up to me. I would think upside down might be more aerodynamic
: and J's look the worst.

I agree with that assessment, but whether there is an actual aerodynamic advantage to carrying boats upside-down is debatable, as I'm not aware of anyone who has actually done a controlled test. However, with SOFs, it can make a difference in preventing damage to the boat during transport, since upside-down carry in cradles puts the majority of the stress on the gunwales, which are the strongest components of the frame, rather than on the chines and ribs, which are not as strong and are more flexible.

: Mostly just curious and trying to decide if I want build J-cradles or not.

I can't see any point in J-cradles unless it's just really difficult to load the boat(s) on your vehicle without them. To wit:

- They are more flexible than saddles and allow the boat(s) to move around more.
- Standing boats on their side increases their "sail area", which combined with their increased height, increases the affects of cross winds on the vehicle.
- This also ads considerably to the stresses on the rack and cross bars.

Overall, IMO, J-cradles are a lousy idea unless you have no viable alternative.

: BTW I asked on P-net for the comedy factor.

Ain't that the truth!