: Found another old photo.

Brilliant, Scott -- thanks for posting! I'm fixin' to get serious about improving on my own homemade cradles that have been in service since fall 2003. The problem? Well, now that my boats weigh 30 lbs or less, a fair breeze can blow 'em off between the time I get the boat up and the straps on, and so breezy days have become somewhat stressful for that reason. My first OI blew off my 4WD Tacoma, bounced off pavement, and busted the nose off. How embarrassing! The temporary solution is to make sure I'm aligned with the wind before putting them up there, or wait for a lull and act fast between gusts if I'm feeling brassy that day. And besides, J-cradles seem to make more sense anyway.

The photo I include was taken yesterday, by the way, in response to someone who remembered them, and wrote to ask for pics. I didn't have any pictures I could go to quickly, so I dashed outside and took a couple. Interestingly enough, the kayak the cradles were originally built for just happened to be occupying them! Both cradles and Cormorant are still in routine use today, is that fun or what?
http://ngc704.home.comcast.net/~ngc704/Cormorant%20Rebuild/

I love the launch photo too, but if you ask me the dog is wondering about that paddle. His expression says OMG if ever I saw it. You can tell by the ears. :-)