Hi Everyone,

I've built two CLC boats - a Ches 17 and 18. Anyway, my brother and father took both boats on the lake last week while I was at work. After a beautiful day of paddling they strapped the boats on the Suburban as usual (with straps and the blue foam blocks). On the way home - at a gingerly 45mph - the buckle on the bow strap of my Ches 17 breaks. I'm told the boat then swung around somehow and rolled off the truck. The boat was seen rolling down the road...

Luckily, none of the cars behind them crashed into it. And remarkably the kayak is 99% intact. There are only a few lovely looking scrapes along the chine lines. Thanks to CLC for such a sturdy design. I could throw the thing in the water tonight without any worries!

Lessons learned:

1. Don't use the blue straps with plastic buckles that come with the foam block cartopping kits - or at least use lots of them to be redundant.

2. Don't think this can't happen to you.

3. Never let family members use your kayaks! :-) (just kidding!)

Happy Paddling,

John