go to http://home.earthlink.net/~matsuwesty/  he has an excellent kayak rack
on his westy

patrick 85 westy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joy Hecht" <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 10:20 AM
Subject: Raising poptop with kayak on roof

> Well, I've finally gotten my roof racks installed, figured out how to get
my
> kayak onto them, strapped it on, and found there's absolutely no way I can
> raise the poptop when the kayak is up there.  The kayak won't fall off,
> that's stable, but it's too heavy.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions?
>
> Here's the details:  They kayak is 19 feet long and weighs 48 pounds.  I
> have it strapped on about as far back as it can reasonably go, so as to
have
> the weight at the bottom of the poptop.  It overhangs the back of the van
> but not the front.  I am 5'3" tall and have very good upper body strength
> for a woman (years of rowing crew, swimming, kayaking, and lifting
weights).
> With nothing on the roof it's a bit of a stretch for me to get the poptop
> fully up and pull it down, but not a problem.
>
> I can lift poptop and boat about a foot and a half.  I tried lifting it
that
> far and propping it up on a piece of wood, then getting directly beneath
the
> bar and seeing if I could push it straight up, but I can't, it's way too
> heavy.
>
> Suggestions, please!!!!  I really don't want to have to unload the boat
> whenever I want to pop the top, that would be a major bore.  Besides,
> storing the kayak on top of the roof is much safer than on the ground, and
> having to reload it every time I lock the van and take off on my bike
would
> be even more of a nuisance.  And what's the point of having a poptop if I
> just don't bother popping it?
>
> Tomorrow I'm taking the van up to a friend's to finish battery
installation.
> He's very big and strong.  I'm going to see if he can do it.  If he can't
> either, that will be useful info.
>
> Help!!!!  Please!!!!  I have a vague recollection of hearing someone
mention
> hydraulics to help lift poptops - was that my imagination?
>
>
>
>
> Joy
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Joy Hecht
> and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
> and Henrietta, sad-eyed orangutan who waltzes with Matilda and me
> and Bicycle and Kayak, who ride on Matilda
> and my 2002 green Prius, waiting for our return from the vanadventures
> For musings about life and the vanadventures:
> http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>