PADDLER 52
Words : Rolf Kraiker Photos : Rolf Kraiker
PADDLER 52
Transporting
YOUR CANOE
There are many different ways to put a canoe on the roof of a vehicle to transport it , and many are quite safe , but travel down any road that leads to popular paddling destinations , and you are probably going to see some very questionable methods being used to secure a canoe for transport .
Words : Rolf Kraiker Photos : Rolf Kraiker
Bow lines tied to windshield wipers exemplify “ What were you thinking ?” regarding things you should not be doing . Ideally , the canoe should be secured so it won ’ t move from side to side or front to back . Sudden acceleration or braking shouldn ’ t move the canoe . Changes in the wind , like a sudden crosswind or a large truck coming in the opposite direction , shouldn ’ t budge the canoe .
It ’ s best to start with a good set of roof racks securely attached to the vehicle . Alternatives like foam blocks on the gunnels can work in a pinch or if you ’ re stuck with a rental vehicle that doesn ’ t have roof racks , but those aren ’ t as bombproof as roof racks .
The ideal situation is to have solid roof racks with ropes or straps that go under the roof racks as close as possible to each side of the gunnel of the canoe , which prevents side-to-side movement . The canoe should be placed so the widest part is right in the middle between the cross bars of the roof racks .
ACCELERATION FORCES
On most tandem canoes , the centre thwart or yoke will define the middle of the canoe . The middle of a solo canoe will usually be just ahead of the seat . Because the canoe gets narrower as you move away from the middle , sudden acceleration forces the canoe back , which means it acts like a wedge and only gets tighter