Hey folks,

I bought a CUV last November. It came with a roof-rack. Until now, I've mounted my canoe with the sponges that slide onto the gunwales then I've tied it down with the straps.

How should I tie it down onto the rack? Do I still need to feed the straps through the doors and through the interior of the vehicle? Should I just strap it down to the rack?

Any ideas/suggestions? thanks so much! Perhaps a picture to illustrate?

Rob

On my Subaru, I use Yakima racks that attach to the roof racks. Don't know if that's the direction you want to go, but I don't have any complaints. racks are just two bars that go the width of the roof and then some, one in the back and one in the front of the roof. I tie the canoe with two ropes going across at the bar, using a truckers hitch, and then have an emergency lne going from the bow down to the towing hook.

If you have any more questions let me know. Seems like everyone uses straps, so perhaps I'm antiquated.

It all depends on the roof rack. If you trust it, then you don't need to run the straps through the interior of the vehicle any more. I have pulled a roof rack loose before tying down a windsurfer, so how much you trust the roof rack could be a valid question. Most of them are pretty solid. With my current Yakima set up on the truck, I just tie down to the bars.

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Hey Rob,

Sorry, what's a CUV? If it has stock roof racks they are likely not very good in quality, weight load capacity, length, stability, etc. However, ask your dealer or the car manufacturer if you can buy Canoe supports for your roof track system. Most stock systems have eliptical and bowed out roof racks afixed to a track system, I wouldn't attach any vessel(s) to it without the proper supports. In high winds the risk is far greater she'll shift around and likely loosen the ropes/straps you have on it, making frequent stops to tighten her down. IMO you don't want to tie both the bow and stern down, again the risk in straining/damaging the hull increases. I'd strap her width wise at two spots along the roof (as far apart as possible for balance) and a bow tie-down at the front of the vehicle for longer or windier drives.

If you cannot get the proper canoe supports for your stock rack system, and you can afford a better rack system, go with Thule (my personal preference) or Yakima. I've had both on different vehicles, and used both their kayak and canoe support systems, and prefer hands down the Thule system (square bars prevent rolling of supports). However both are good quality.

Crossover Utility Vehicle somewhere between an SUV and Caravan

I thought you were trying to have sex in the canoe and needed pointers!!!

If you still wear your life jacket it is considered safe sex...

sex in canoe? that's not advisable

Thanks for the suggestions folks... will figure it out!

This link might help

http://redrockstore.com/canoetie/index.htm

Actually, you can basically tie it down to your CUV's roofrack as long as you have crossover braces. I found these at MEC ... very handy as they attach to your OEM roofrack yet help hold the canoe in place. Front and rear tie downs are a necessity.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302700901&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620530

d-mo