Need suggestions on lashing an eight foot dinghy to the roof of a Ford Explorer equipped with a roof rack--knots, etc. Thanks.
Bob Herrick
Cygnet
Ty Senior
bob@twne.com
Lashing Dinghy
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Neil Gordon
Re: Lashing Dinghy
>>Need suggestions on lashing an eight foot dinghy to the roof of a Ford Explorer equipped with a roof rack--knots, etc.<<
First rule is that it has to be secure in every direction, so it can't move side to side, front to back, etc. If there are tie town points on the dinghy, that would help.
It's like docking the boat... think of tying in terms of bow and stern lines and spring lines.
I tie stuff to the top of my Jeep all the time. Take an extra turn through the tie town, pull nice and tight and finish with two half hitches. Dacron line is better than nylon, since it doesn't stretch.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
First rule is that it has to be secure in every direction, so it can't move side to side, front to back, etc. If there are tie town points on the dinghy, that would help.
It's like docking the boat... think of tying in terms of bow and stern lines and spring lines.
I tie stuff to the top of my Jeep all the time. Take an extra turn through the tie town, pull nice and tight and finish with two half hitches. Dacron line is better than nylon, since it doesn't stretch.
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
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Chris Reinke (CD330 Innis
Re: Lashing Dinghy
Bob - Here are a couple of basic points for your consideration. I apologize in advance if some of these are obvious to you, however a weekend trip on our highways will show you that some folks just do not get it.
First consider the base upon which the boat will be sitting. I believe the cross bars on the fords can be adjusted forward and back. I would suggest you spread the bars as far apart as possible to form a solid resting place.
The dinghy should be placed to provide the least amount of wind resistance. This is usually achieved with the bow forward and hull facing up.
The wind will exerted the greatest pressure on pushing the boat backwards so lines running forward similar to docking spring lines are recommended. These will eliminate the possibility of the boat sliding off the back of your car. I usually run lines from my oar locks to the forward cross brace of the rack.
I then use two sets of ratcheting tie-downs to secure the hull down. The sets each run up and over the boat about a quarter of the way in from bow and stern. These lines prevent the wind from raising the boat off the rack and also prevent side to side motion. The straps were found at a local Home Depot for around $15.00 and speed up the process.
chris.reinke@transamerica.com
First consider the base upon which the boat will be sitting. I believe the cross bars on the fords can be adjusted forward and back. I would suggest you spread the bars as far apart as possible to form a solid resting place.
The dinghy should be placed to provide the least amount of wind resistance. This is usually achieved with the bow forward and hull facing up.
The wind will exerted the greatest pressure on pushing the boat backwards so lines running forward similar to docking spring lines are recommended. These will eliminate the possibility of the boat sliding off the back of your car. I usually run lines from my oar locks to the forward cross brace of the rack.
I then use two sets of ratcheting tie-downs to secure the hull down. The sets each run up and over the boat about a quarter of the way in from bow and stern. These lines prevent the wind from raising the boat off the rack and also prevent side to side motion. The straps were found at a local Home Depot for around $15.00 and speed up the process.
Need suggestions on lashing an eight foot dinghy to the roof of a Ford Explorer equipped with a roof rack--knots, etc. Thanks.
Bob Herrick
Cygnet
Ty Senior
chris.reinke@transamerica.com
-
Neil Gordon
Re: Lashing Dinghy
>>...a weekend trip on our highways will show you that some folks just do not get it.<<
That's the truth!!!
If you were sailing in a 60 knot wind, would your sail be as big as a queen size mattress? <g>
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
That's the truth!!!
If you were sailing in a 60 knot wind, would your sail be as big as a queen size mattress? <g>
Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167
neil@nrgordon.com
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Bob Loewenstein
Re: Lashing Dinghy
We lashed our 8' fiberglass dinghy to the Thule rack on top of our Honda and drove 800 miles at freeway speeds. Just used rope and tightened down good. Be sure the boat is tightly attached and doesn't slide around. When you grab hold of the boat and push (from any direction) the force should be transfered to the car (which should shake). If this isn't the case, then I'd worry.
I tested with additional fore and aft lines (like with a canoe), but decided the dinghy was really well supported with lines across its hull and left off the fore and aft lines. When we arrived at our destination, the setup was as tight as when we left.
I suggest stopping after the first 15-30 minutes at 70mph speeds to recheck all the lines and tightening up, if necessary.
rfl@yerkes.uchicago.edu
I tested with additional fore and aft lines (like with a canoe), but decided the dinghy was really well supported with lines across its hull and left off the fore and aft lines. When we arrived at our destination, the setup was as tight as when we left.
I suggest stopping after the first 15-30 minutes at 70mph speeds to recheck all the lines and tightening up, if necessary.
rfl@yerkes.uchicago.edu