: And I hope you sew on a few extra loops to those covers so you can
: tie on safety cords. After they blow off the boat you'll hear
: them flapping. The air pressure difference when you move at
: highway speeds can be enough to make replacement covers an
: annual affair.

: Use them for long-distance moves, too. As long as the racks are
: mounted well why remove them?
: They are faster to use on short, around-town trips, too.

: Don't lean too far. Foam blocks are fine for quick moves and when
: taking the boats on different cars--typically the case with
: river trips where you park a shuttle car at your takeout point
: before heading upstream (in another car) to the put-in point.
: Bow and stern ropes and foam blocks can all store under the
: deck--and it doesn't matter whose car you use.

: But on long trips the combination of road dust, slight shifting of
: the boat, and the inevitable moisture turn those foam blocks
: into sanding blocks. On short trips you get some minor scratches
: you can buff out and wax. After several long rides you get
: noticeable wear areas on the roof. And as the foam blocks age
: they trap more grit and do more damage faster.
: If you are going to make racks you don't need foam blocks on your
: car. Just throw them in the boat for paddle floats, or to use on
: someone else's car in an emergency.
: highway speeds.

: Make your racks aerodynamic. They'll lower your fuel economy so you
: want the best aerodynamics anyhow.

: I'm partial to the idera of a low rack with 2 J-cradles near the
: outside edges. In the center there would be room for 2 bikes, or
: a 3rd boat. If you come up with something like that I'd like to
: see it.

: Regardless of your rack choice you'll want to add inconspicuous
: tie-down points under your car. Add a few eyebolts.
: PGJ

I've done several multiple thousand mile trips with my kayaks all with cockpit covers including one where I had to drive thru a hurricane and have yet to have one come off the cockpit on the road. Mine are all made by Seals, other's may be different. Also Seal's covers now all come with straps to hold them in place (goes over the cover and around the boat) if they got loose and all have hooks at the forward end to hook onto the deck bungies.

Bill H.