Wind gust warning

[jaan]

Just thought that I would tell you of my near miss on my return from Bala last Saturday.

I had tied the 2 yaks down to the roof rack uprights as per usual. We drove most of the way home fine. The wind was gusting a little but nothing to worry about. We got to the new Welsh road toward Two Mills when a huge side gust hit the car. Straight after the webbing slings started to vibrate. I new then something had come lose. I pulled over as soon as I could, I could not believe what I had happened.
The gust had actually moved the square bar through the clamp so much that there was only 5mm of square bar left on the clamp. I'd hate to think what would of happened if the bar had come away totally. After resetting the clamps and strapping I made my way home.
When I got home I drilled and rivited the square bar to the clamps, so they are now fixed. Please take this into consideration to prevent this happening to anyone else.

We use to have a Canadian canoe which we used to tie down at the front and back, but I have never done this with the kayaks. Dose anyone use this method?

[BUDDY]

I dont tie from the front of the car but what i do is tie from the front roof rail to the centre carry handles of the yak. Should one of the straps come loose these stop the yak sliding back.
Hope this helps.
Steve

[fishermandan]

There's always a massive gust of wind by Two-Mills; it's caused the exhallation of breath (through pursed-lips) from every bloke as they clock the Porches and the odd Merc SL600 AMG....