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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: women loading boats
Posted By: Melissa In Response To: Re: women loading boats (Pamela)
Date: Friday, 26 August 2005, at 8:03 a.m.
I've solo paddled for nearly eleven years now, which also means solo loading. It took a bit to refine the technique, but it seems to work for me. I drive a VW Jetta Wagon, because of space, fuel efficiency and the fact that it isn't that high up to the roof. It also has tow loops on the front and back which saves drilling holes into my car.
I've got cross bars hooked up with Yakima Stackers. These are traditionally used for white water boats but work for sea kayaks too. On each of the stackers, I've got a canoe foamie block. At the base of the stackers, on the cross bar is a kayak foamie block. Carry the kayak as if you were portaging on one shoulder to the side of the car, do a 'clean&jerk' to get the lower edge of the coaming up to your shoulder height and then gently let the kayak roll onto the kayak foamies on the car. You'll need to roll the kayak up onto it's side, leaning against the canoe foamies. Ensure the canoe foamies are placed along the keel line if your kayak. Use two belly straps to secure the boat to the racks and bow and stern lines as well. I like having the boat on its side for travelling, as it is more rigid and oil cans don't occur in the hull.
Melissa
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