: With a 19 ft. kayak on a Honda Fit, I don't think the end ties
: lines would do that much to support the boat other than it would
: still be attached to the car as he drags it down the highway.
: Very lucky indeed. He as a new and larger car now due to the one
: in the accident being written off.

Hi Rod,
It's not the front 'bumper/fender' to bow that is important to keep a kayak kinda centered on a car rack, it's spring-lines. A line from the bow to the rear car tie-point and a line from the stern to the front car tie-point will stop the kayak from sliding off the the rack. If the line is looped around the kayak as in Front tie-point to loop around the bow half of the kayak then back to the stern of the kayak and vice versa, it won't lie on the car or interfere with wipers, etc.
It can be over-kill for a short journey but good with longer faster journeys.

If it works for ships tied alongside in a tidal basin, twill work for a kayak on a car. :D

Mike Savage
South West Cork