Car Topping Folbots

[John dB]

it's a game anybody can play and it's one that can get ugly real fast.

Dave

"...never use logic on a human mind that's closed. There's nothing that infuriates a closed mind more than logic. If you make an illogical statement that's got a flaw in it big enough to throw a cat through, that doesn't bother a closed mind too much. But all you have to do
is use foolproof airtight logic on a mind that's closed, and you're dead."

- William J. Reilly, Opening Closed Minds.

[boatfool]

So it's universally accepted that the bow and (possibly) the stern should be anchored to the vehicle when the boat is being carried on top. I'd like to hear from those of you who own newer vehicles whereon the bumpers are just plastic covered foam. In my case, our new 2010 Subaru Outback has a nose as slick as an ICBM with nothing but plastic foam in the payload. I would spend some money on a "nudge bar" if one were available for the 2010 just to have a solid place to tie down the bow. Otherwise, it looks like I have to screw some eye straps to the frame a couple of feet back under the front of the vehicle so that I can anchor a yoke that steadies the bow in cross winds. This method, of course, lays the lines across parts of the hood, grill and (plastic) bumper. I'm also hesitant to compromise the frame using this method. What do the rest of you tie your bow lines to? Thanks.

[Christov]

My '97 Volvo 850 - okay, to me, it's "newer" - has eyes under the bumper in front and in the rear that I use with Yakima bow and stern ratcheting whatnots to tie down bow and stern.

[Folded Up]

I have become a fan of Yakima. They seem to survive well to their garage sale destinations at which I find them. If you see parts, dont try to buy just what you need. Figure how much you would be willing to spend for the parts you need now and offer that amount for everything they have. You will be glad later when you want to put someting else on top of your car and usually they will be glad to get rid of all of it. By the way, on your Subaru, and just about any other small car, if you look under the front bumper you will find the transport tie down brackets. I use a pair of motorcycle straps that I removed the hooks from and replaced them with cheap caribiners. They don't fall off if the line goes slack.

[PeteS]

I have an Outback and use hooks(flat padded) under both front fenders and a Y line to the bow of the boat. That keepsthe bow from moving side to side. The straps hold the boar on the rack. The bow line just has to be taut enough to keep the hooks from falling off. You could also make small brackets that bolt under the sides of the hood and stick up through the hood crack. Tough sell to the wife on a new car..

[hrhpj1]

Oh my, lots of interesting and useful information in this thread for my future use....I'll just pick through and see what actually works for me down the road when I purchase a new car. For right now we are improvising...his Native Ultimate (rigid) upside down on top of foam covered top bars of welder husband's iron carrying rack in back of truck. My Yukon fits perfectly right side up in the middle of the tunnel hull of the Native Ultimate. Lines at bow and stern (not too tight, but tight enough) and 3 straps over the top. No problems whatsoever.

In the next year or so, I do intend to get another car, so I'm following this thread with interest. Isn't it funny, when your Folbot's safety and ease of operation becomes part of your car buying thought process????

Juanita Homan
2009 Olive Yukon (Nessie)
2009 Native Ultimate 12 (Sasquatch)

[PeteS]

Juanita, I only carry my Folbots on the roof during times, like Flamingo, where we would travel short distances every day to a new location. Every other time, the boats are folded(hence Folbots) and stored safely on the inside of the car. I can travel 70 mph and not worry about damaging the boat, or the car...

[Christov]

straps that I removed the hooks from and replaced them with cheap caribiners. They don't fall off if the line goes slack.

Genius about the carabiners. I will have to try that.

[Ken Hartlein]

Yeah, that Pete is just full of it isn't he?? Ha ha. I meant good ideals of course!

[boatfool]

Pete:
Thanks for the tip about flat clips attaching the bow yoke to the fenders. Even though the fenders flex a little, this might be a good thing now that I've pulled on them. The flared fenders might give me a real macho look! Seriously, though, a little flex in the line might be a benefit. Since I know you have an Outback, I especially appreciate your comments. Now, the new cross-bar system for 2010: it can be adapted for my Yakima bars, but the spacing is fixed. It was almost a deal-buster, but I guess I can live with it. I do have the receiver hitch and a modified post for it with hulley rollers that might be useful in this case. Will keep posting on this since Juanita is so interested.
Jay

[PowerWagon896]

I cartopped my G-II on a VW Jetta wagon & it was very secure.

I used rectangular closed cell grooved foam blocks designed for canoe thwarts placing 2 of then under the front of the washboards where the sheet metal is stiffest just behind the windshield pinchweld.

2 more were placed under the washboards near the rear hatch on either side. Again, where the sheet metal was stiffest due to the hatch opening. The peak of the rear washboard was overhanging the rear of the car. We were cautious not to open the hatch fully W/the boat on top of the car as doing so would have resulted in a broken rear hatch glass. We could still access the rear cargo area by opening the hatch part of the way.

I then employed the blue Folboat straps that are used W/the cart to securely bind down the hull to the factory lugage rack going around the lugage rack posts to prevent slippage forwarad or aft. There were no cross bars on this rack.

A line was then run from the bow "U" strap down to a loop under the front facia. We used a bugee cord as a shock absorber on the front line.

Unless the factory lugage rack were to fail, it was nearly impossible for the boat to come off W/3 anchor points.

If any 1 of them failed, it would be apparant immediately & the other 2 would hold until the car was stopped & the situation rectified.

[boatfool]

By the way, on your Subaru, and just about any other small car, if you look under the front bumper you will find the transport tie down brackets. I use a pair of motorcycle straps that I removed the hooks from and replaced them with cheap caribiners. They don't fall off if the line goes slack.

Thanks for the tip. I did find the transport tie down brackets and got a couple of caribiners. Looks like a simple solution for now. REI sells tie-downs with a plastic sleeve around the line that claims to protect the vehicle from abrasion. I'm thinking I can replicate that myself. It sure beats spending hundreds of dollars on a nudge bar.
Thanks.
Jay

Update: I spent $30 on a pair of 1/4" nylon lines with ratchets and S hooks from REI, replaced the S hooks with caribiners and threaded the line through 3/8" ID diameter vinyl hose from Home Depot. The hose cushions the line and lets it slip without chaffing the car's paint. I later discovered that Home Depot also sells the identical ratchet and line for a little less than REI. We did a test run to Lake Hennessey near Napa last weeked. I am very pleased with the result, even at 70-75 mph.

[PowerWagon896]

One boat is a "Big Glider", & the other is a "Super" (I think). Both (much like myself) are, at least, near antiques.

Is that Big Glider a folder?

If so, are you interested in selling it?

[bagboater]

Hey PW, you're really getting hooked on Folbots eh? Starting a fleet? Welcome to the club. Maybe we should start Folbots Anonymous.
Got four now, have had seven myself so I know how it feels. There's no cure and the only treatment is more boats.
73 Gary

[PowerWagon896]

Hey PW, you're really getting hooked on Folbots eh? Starting a fleet? Welcome to the club. Maybe we should start Folbots Anonymous.
Got four now, have had seven myself so I know how it feels. There's no cure and the only treatment is more boats.
73 Gary

I bought a folding Big Glider new back in 1979.

I wish I still had it! 4 of us used to take it out on a local lake & swim from it. 4 people in the boat & one could jump into the water & climb back in.

As another forum member put it, "The Big Glider is as stable as a battleship".

I used to stand up in that thing back when I was 100# lighter than I am now. Weight capacity was 790# if I remember correctly.

A BG would make a fantastic sailboat I think.