Taking on Jeff's Joy Get the Family Kayaking ... - Canoe & Kayak

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Technical Roof Racks – Not just an add on By Julie Reynolds An excellent example of what can be done. Note the 3 tie downs and bow fastening. When we’re purchasing our first kayak or getting ready to go on holiday often the last thing we think about are roof racks. Frankly, it’s probably the last thing we want to think about. None of us enjoy spending money on the necessities, we’d much rather splash out on the fun stuff such as the kayak or the holiday and scrimp on something as dull as a decent roof rack set up. But be warned, the wrong roof rack system could spell disaster. So here are some helpful hints and facts about roof racks. First, don’t leave it till the week before Christmas to get one organized. There are literally hundreds of different vehicles out there so no Roof Rack Centre alive is going to stock every possible combination of crossbars, foot packs and fitting kits. If you’re lucky you’ll wander in and thirty minutes later drive away with roof rack fully fitted, very very lucky. Ninety percent of the time the centre will need to order a part to fit your vehicle specifically. This is an overnight delivery so generally within two to three days you will in fact be sorted. But Christmas week is a whole other story. Couriers fail and fittings are fully booked. Last year the staff at Manukau Canoe & Kayak were fitting roof racks for customers heading away on Boxing Day till ten pm most nights. Hint: plan ahead, if you’re starting to plan your summer vacation now, then sort your roof rack first. Second, what will you be carrying on your roof rack? There are three things to ask about, load capacity, crossbar length and accessory compatibility. Load capacity is the most important aspect when choosing your system. Not such an issue if you are carrying one kayak, however if you are likely Whatever your passion - We can provide the right roof rack and accessories. MANUKAU: 09 262 0209 BAY OF PLENTY: 07 574 7415 WAIKATO: 07 847 5565 WELLINGTON: 04 477 6911 AUCKLAND: 09 815 2072 NORTH SHORE: 09 479 1002 TARANAKI: 06 769 5506 TAUPO: 07 378 1003 All other areas 0508 529 2569 www.roofrackcentre.co.nz 34 ISSUE FIFTY Three • 2 0 0 9 www.kayaknz.co.nz
Technical New Rhino - - Canopy with a Difference. 2009 A.A.A.A Award Winner to carry more than one kayak or a kayak and bike or a roof box or any other combination then take load capacity seriously. An average weight of a kayak is twenty five kilograms. A fold a pole or two sets of cradles adds weight as well. Roof boxes themselves are very light but it’s what you will carry in them that adds up. The sensible thing to do is have some cushion in the load capacity especially for windy conditions. Most cheap roof rack systems have considerably reduced load capacities due to the quality of the fittings. It’s well worth looking into this before investing. At the end of the day your roof rack will be carrying some pretty expensive gear, you don’t want to lose that or cause injury if anything goes wrong. Anything being carried on the roof of the car creates windage which in turns puts strain on your roof rack. The crossbar length is also something you want to consider if you are carrying anything more than a singular kayak, bike or roof box. There are two different styles of roof rack, a through bar (below left) and a flush bar (below right). The first allows you to have a little width greater than your actual car roof allowing comfortably for wider loads. The second actually reduces the carry surface to slightly less than your car roof width. It often looks smarter but can be a hindrance if you ever find yourself carrying more than your one item. For a Rhino Sales Centre near you phone - 0800 866322 Roof rack accessories are in the most part transferable between brands, for example Thule Cradles will fit Rhino and Prorack and vice versa. However we have had some very unhappy customers who have opted for a factory mounted roof rack at point of vehicle purchase to find that no accessories can be fitted. Here’s a hint: if the car dealer offers to throw in the roof rack as part of the deal, you’re better off without in most cases. Again think about what it is your roof rack will be doing for you. Get the professionals to fit your roof rack and accessories for a good job and piece of mind. The best thing you can do is visit a Roof Rack Centre and talk to us. We seriously know what we are doing and will recommend the best possible solution for you. We’ll often fit it at no charge and give you some instruction on maintenance. If you are considering a second hand roof rack then stop and think about these points to check out. What has the roof rack been used to carry? Carrying items above the load capacity could damage the fittings. How were the items tied down? Again carrying a kayak or similar item without tying it down at the front puts extra strain on the rack and could have damaged the fittings. Is there a warranty? Is it the correct roof rack for your vehicle? How old is it? Do you know how to fit it correctly? Are all the items in the system the original? Is the manual and list of all bits available? Finally consider the accessories you might need to make transporting your items easier. For example, if you are carrying two sit - on - top kayaks you will find it so much easier to use a fold a pole. With a fold a ISSUE FIFTY Three • 2009 35
Page 1 and 2: Subscribe to be in to Win One of 50
Page 4 and 5: Issue 53 contents D’Urville Circu
Page 6 and 7: Sea Kayaking Orca Overdrive - Inspi
Page 8 and 9: Feature D’Urville Island by Carol
Page 10 and 11: Feature The view from Catherine Cov
Page 12 and 13: Motuora Antics - It happens to the
Page 14 and 15: White Water Join Your Local The who
Page 16 and 17: Multisport Coromandel Classic by Ja
Page 18 and 19: Multisport Eddy Eddy line Downstrea
Page 20 and 21: Multisport BayTrust Motu Challenge
Page 22 and 23: Kayak Fishing - it’s not just for
Page 24 and 25: Feature Kayaking the Mortar in a Fa
Page 26 and 27: Buyers Guide 1 2 3 4 5 6 Family Kay
Page 28 and 29: White Water Taming Jeff’s Joy - T
Page 30 and 31: White Water I could see again, and
Page 32 and 33: Product Focus Mission XStream 420 T
Page 36 and 37: Technical pole you strap your kayak
Page 38 and 39: Start Your Adventure Here Sea Kayak
Page 40 and 41: Subscribe & Win Subscribe today to
Page 42 and 43: Product Focus ‘OH BOY, INFLATABLE
Page 44 and 45: Buyers Guide 7 10 8 11 12 9 13 Mult
Page 46 and 47: 1 2 3 4 Sea Kayaking Getting away f
Page 48 and 49: Sea Kayaking Kayaking Stewart Islan
Page 50 and 51: A successful end to hugely successf
Page 52: DISCOVER ANOTHER WORLD AUCKLAND BAY

Taking on Jeff's Joy Get the Family Kayaking ... - Canoe & Kayak

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?