: I have a 13ft fiberglass kayak and I am having trouble moving it on my car. I
: would rather not have to dish out the 3 or 4 hundred dollars to use the
: thing.
: Does anyone have cheaper way to move the boat? I do not have rain gutters on
: my car. I thought about using a half of an extenstion ladder. I could
: secure the kayak to the ladder at the mid point and then the ends I could
: tighten to the under side of the car. Any thoughts?

Campmor has a variety of shaped foam blocks that sit on your car's roof and support the kayak (or canoe). Their complete sets come with web straps and miscellaneous hardware for bow and stern tie-down lines. Try www.campmor.com and search their list of items in the watersports area.

The most expensive one I could find (heck, nothing but the best) was $50 and the simplest versions started at about $12 -- but here you have to add your own ropes. If you go this way, check Walmart for 1 inch nylon web straps and ratchet clamps. One to cinch around the middle of the boat should be about $9.

I would definitely use TWO tie down ropes at each end of the boat. Secure them to the furthest points you can find on the right and left sides of the front bumper. If you use just one centered tiedown line then the bow will move from side to side with windshifts. This is very annoying. Some people find holes already drilled in the inner metal bracing of plastic bumpers and insert steel eyebolts, which they leave there. Very inconspicuous, and very convenient to tie into.

If there aren't any holes there already, take your car to the local machanic and ask him to drill a few and install some eyebolts. Tell him why you want them, and, if you are not in a hurry, you just might get a sympathetic discount. The mechanic will know where to drill so as not to compromise, or set off, the airbags.

If you tie knots in a rope to hold your boat on the roof, arrange the rope so that the knots are above the hood of the car, and lower than the roof. You want them almost at eye level while you are driving so you can keep them in sight at all times. This way you can easily detect if they are slipping a bit. Obviously you'll want to stop and tighten the ropes should that occur.

although your car does not have rain gutters, open the driver's door and feel along the rubber strips at the top of the door frame on the car body. You should find what feels like a solid steel ledge or ridge residing under the rubber doorseal. On many cars this is the joining line where the roof is attached (usually welded) to the rest of the car. Someone already mentioned ?Sears' car racks and car carriers. Check the display at your local Sears store's automotive department. Near the carriers they should have a display of the various metal clips that fit over the doorseal and neatly engage the roof of your car. Each car model needs a special clip, which has a profile that matches the roof joint. You can buy just the clips and not the entire carrier either at the store, or by special order, or from the parts departments. Put these clips on your web strap and you should be able to secure everything.

Hope this helps

PGJ

Campmor's shaped foam blocks with nylon web straps and metal hooks for tying them to the bumper.