Rule # 1 for all of us whitewater boaters (my freinds, me too) :

NEVER, NEVER, never store anything in your boat while in transit unless you
are ready to replace that item.

I have been on  numerous road trips to rivers and the following have
occurred:
Paddle strap on rack worked its way loose, several paddles destoyed at
65mph+
Spray skirts (or covers) have come off the cockpit and float bags were
sucked out. Lots of vacumm can develop at 65mph in a open cockpit.  This was
while the boat was sitting upright (cockpit facing the sky).
Paddles worked out of cockpits and got jammed and bent between boats. Boats
were facing each other on their side, bottom to top.

etc....
I agree that the touring kayaks are different but why take the chance if you
have ample room to store this equipment elsewhere (plenty of room in a
vanagon). Use your head, and dont have to go home because your cover blew
off your boat and you lost a skirt or bag.
SeanG

>From: Todd Kaderabek <todd@LARKBOOKS.COM>
>Reply-To: Todd Kaderabek <todd@LARKBOOKS.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Kayak Transport on a Westy
>Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 16:06:33 -0500
>
> >- Where do you carry your paddle in your fully loaded Westy?
>
>Inside the boat, along with 9,000 other things you can stuff in there after
>you put it on top.  Think of it as a car top carrier that floats.
>
>TJK
>--

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