Well it's that time of the year when we start to think about getting out to the cottage/lake/ocean with out toys. It seems to come up every year about tying down canoes and kayaks properly. So this is just a reminder that for a fun and safe summer please take the time to tie down properly.
This was my set up from last year:
We have now replaced the bow/stern tie-downs with these although we have not had a chance to try them out:
Some good advice on tie-downs is here:
http://www.clippercanoes.com/vehicle.php From that article:
"The bow and stern lines, which ideally would run as an inverted "V" from bumper, up to canoe stem, and down again to bumper, are safety lines that ensure that even if the main straps fail, or if the rack comes off the vehicle, your boat should stay put long enough for you to stop driving. The bow and stern lines shouldn't be extremely tight, but just snug."
So the bow/stern tie-downs are an important part of the whole system yet they seem to be easily ignored.
Have a good and safe summer on the water!
