Dear Volks,

I'm getting VERY serious about buying my first Westfalia.  My wife,
daughter, and I enjoy camping, bicycling, sailing, and canoeing.  The
camping trade off is obvious in that we hope to do more travel/camping
and would use the Westy rather than the ole dome tent.  I'm sure I can
find a good bike rack to haul our three bikes.  I don't intend to tow
the sailboat BUT I have an 18.5 ft. kevlar canoe that I'd like to be
able to mount on top.  It only weighs 42 lbs. but the wind can really
"rack" the thing around if it gusts.  My concern is this:  Can the top
of the Westies handle this type of twisting?  If so, do the gas shocks
on the pop-top have enough oommph to hold the canoe up or would I need
to unload the canoe everynight (and chain it to the axle!)

Jim in Iowa
'66 Beetle
'81 Rabbit Model S (pre-GTI)
'91 Passat GL Wagon

P.S. my first post!
P.P.S.  Anybody know a great '85-'93 Westfalia for sale in the Midwest.