How to Fasten a Kayak
Fastening a kayak to a rack is a matter of tying or strapping it down. Simple as it is, most kayakers have a story or two about the time they, "did not fasten the kayak down right.. and dude..." The story usually ends with the kayak getting run over or cartwheeling down the interstate. The stories are funny when nothing serious happens, but a loose kayak tumbling through the air on a crowded road or highway is extremely dangerous. Fastening a kayak down properly requires the right equipment and user know-how.
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Instructions
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Center the kayak -- perpendicular -- over the rack's two crossbars, hull down. Place one strap's cam on the center of the bow of the kayak. By centering the cam on the bow of the boat, you ensure you will have enough strap to tighten the boat down without the cam running into the crossbar. Once the cam butts up against the crossbar, it will not tighten more.
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Hold the cam in place on the bow and wrap the loose end of the strap around the cross bar on the opposite side of the kayak from where you are standing. Double wrap the strap around the crossbar. Pull the strap over the bow of the boat and down around the nearside of the crossbar. Double wrap the strap around the crossbar and pull the loose end up. Slide the tail through the cam. Do not tighten the strap yet.
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Follow the same procedure at the stern end of the boat: cam centered on the stern, down around the far side of the crossbar, double wrap, back over the stern, down to the near side of the crossbar, double wrap slide the tail of the strap through the cam. Alternate from the bow to the stern tightening the straps incrementally. Wriggle the kayak with vigor to see if it is secure.
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References
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