Car topping a canoe

[fishface]

Hi all,

I have a bit of a problem.

I drive a "03" Ford Focas. (I know a Ford, right? )

The Prob. is, no rain gutters, and bumpers that make bow and stern tie-downs virtualy impossible. How can I secure a 17' Alumacrat to the roof of my Focas. Anybody else run into this dilema and solve it without mutilating the car?

[traveler]

I say mutilate it...who's gonna notice:)? Maybe a little trailer?

[schweady]

Yakima rack. $$$ but gets the job done.

[Powerstroke]

I also have a ford focus and have mounted the boat on there many times it is not east with a standard foam block kit because of the high arch to the roof. Your best bet is to buy a roof rack designed for the car and go secure it that way. Otherwise, get out foam blocks, cambuckle or ratchet straps to go over the top, and some rope to tie down in the fornt and rear. There will be pressure on the bumpers, but they are pretty flimsy.

[fishface]

I"m going to try the foam blocks again. Might end up drilling a couple of small holes in the front bumper.

Powerstroke,

Is the gas mileage affected much with the canoe on top?

[Duffman]

Here's another idea for front tie-downs. Get yourself some tubular webbing, cut it in two 1' lengths, melt the ends to prevent fraying, heat up a nail and then poke a hole in each end. Attach a gromment to one end and bolt the other end underneath your hood. Do the same on the other side of the vehicle. Now you have a place to tie-down the front of the canoe with. Then you tuck the straps underneath the hood when not in use. Not my pics, but it gives you an idea what I'm talking about.

[fishane]

as far as attaching to the roof, nothing beats a yakima or thule rack. They cost some dough, but at least you won't beat your roof up. Using canoe straps and a good rack, you may not have to tie off in front or back. If you decide you need to tie off front and back, I have seen some outfitters use a nifty invention. It is much like the earlier post with the strap attached inside the hood, but you just use a short length of strap (15" or so) and a short piece of high pressure hose (2" or so). You pass the strap through the hose and tie it off well. Then to use (you need two) you just open the hood, put the hose inside with a loop of strap hanging out, close the hood, and you have 2 instant and removable places to tie to. you can make 4 of these and use two for the trunk or hatch also. I don't have pictures, but I would guess that someone else on this forum has used these, and maybe has a photo they could post, and also a name for them? Good luck.

[schweady]

There's a solution called "Top Ties" -- kind like Duffman's, but a loop instead of a grommet. Not a bad price per pair, but easily made, too.

[Powerstroke]

I have used Top Ties. Just google it and look for Red Rock.

Ye smileage is affected. There is no way around it. You're adding weight and a very broad surafce to your car. Losses will be more noticable if you find a cross wind.

[fishface]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'll be working on some of them here soon. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thank,

Jim

[New2TheFly]

fishface - did this pan out for you? I want to plan some float trips down local rivers but my return ride will be an '06 ford focus. I'm a little concerned about destroying the roof of the car with foam blocks and straps. Just might have to look for a roof rack...

[fishface]

Well, made this contraption out of Swimming noodles and Ties under the hood. Works perfectly. only thing I'd change and I still can, is use the big (diameter)instead of the small noodle. Makes loading and unloading pretty easy to. A One man job. Just got back from the BW no probs, at all. I do most of my local fishing either wading or from a float tube. N2TF, have you been out much this summer?

[New2TheFly]

Sounds like a nice setup. Did you use the Top Ties from Red Rock or did you construct something yourself?

I have not been out nearly enough this summer. I'm getting married in two weeks so needless to say my time has been occupied lately.

[fishface]

Congradulations!

I think...

Hope she likes to fish or at least is good with letting you go fishing.

I made eveything. I'll take a pict and post it here sometime. no promises as to when. Hope you get out a little before the cold hits.

[Gas Man]

If you are able to, try to find a couple of eight inch long pieces of one inch webbing or old seat belt material. Burn a hole about an inch in from each end of the strap. Open your hood and find a fender screw on each side of the car, at the center or just behind center of the front wheel well. Remove the two screws; place a large washer onto the screw. Put the screw through the holes on the two ends of your webbing, this will create a loop. Replace the screws into their holes, with the ends of the loops facing into the engine compartment. When everything is tight, flex the webbing so that when you close the hood, the loops will hang out of the hood. You should be able to use these loops for the front tie downs of your canoe. The main reason for placing them at the center or just behind the wheel is that if your knots go, you will not drive over the bow lines, and there is no chance of the ends of the bow tie downs getting caught in your drive train of steering gear. Back when I worked in the canoe business, we often heard from customers that had ruined vehicles, canoes and racks from bow tie down problems. I have also done this to the trunk area, behind the rear wheels when moving large canoes on racks with little spread between rack bars. When you are not using your loops, you can tick them away under your hood or trunk, ready for your next trip.

Just my $.02.

Gas Man

[supercool6]

total agree, yakima or thule is the way to go.