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Old_Town · 09-18-2007, 02:48 PM

Last weekend was the maiden voyage with my 17' canoe. I was a little concerned but it worked perfectly. Even in sharp turns backing into the campsite, the canoe never got close to the nose of the AS.

CanoeStream · 09-18-2007, 02:51 PM

Hi Old Town. Congratulations! I'll post photos. I bought a wide gate carabiner to connect my portage yoke to a Yakima crossbar. There is no way the canoe can slip backwards short of a failure of the top of my truck cap. And I'm thinking of modifying the Yakima attach points to distribute those forces. Yes, it is a valid concern. I've got an 18' Wenonah -- so a few more inches to worry about. The tail of the canoe is a steady 7-8" in front of the Airstream.

yukionna · 09-18-2007, 02:56 PM

We have the same (length) challenges with our 18' kayaks. As long as they are secured forward enough that the rear end of the kayak doesn't overhang the rear of the TV by more than 2 feet, then we won't hit the Airstream!

ZoominC6 · 09-18-2007, 03:00 PM

Old Town,

Nice looking setup. What manufacturer did you opt for in choosing the bed rack system? I assume that the foam blocks were utilized on the truck cab cap?

Old_Town · 09-18-2007, 03:43 PM

Thanks for the replies, the rack is a Yakima Outdoorsman. I have been mostly happy with the rack. It has a little more movement than than I wish but it works well. I have not tried to carry two canoes with the AS in tow. I will try that next. The foam block were really there for cab protection. This particular canoe has drastic upswept ends that are very close to touching the cab.

Good Luck,
Ty

ZoominC6 · 09-18-2007, 05:15 PM

Thanks for that Ty. I've been trying to figure out which rack to purchase for my pickup bed so we can carry more toys camping. We need the bed for other stuff and carry the bikes on a front bumper rack. I thought my foam canoe blocks might work in conjunction with a portable bed rack and your post certainly looked promising.
HAPPY TRAILS

nilesrob · 09-18-2007, 05:31 PM

While I cannot yet attest to their utility, I recently installed the TracRac (with tonneau cover) on my F250 - for the (primary) purpose of carrying kayaks.

The rack slides easily on the rail, so the rack can be moved towards the cab while loading the back. And, the rack itself can easily be removed if you need to drive into parking garages where the rack would be too tall.

Can't wait to try it out - very cool, and REALLY well made.

Happycampers · 09-18-2007, 05:40 PM

Hello Ty, We have a swivel T-bar on the front of our truck, it makes it easy for one person to load and unload, draw back is you can only carry one canoe. We now have a 17 ft. Old Town Penaboscot, really like that canoe.

Marvin

Old_Town · 09-18-2007, 07:33 PM

Canoestream,
Great idea with the large carabiner. I use the Yakima gunwale brackets and they hold the canoe well in place. If I have one of my composite boats on the rack I would like to try the carabiner as I am not comfortable strapping it as tight as the Royalex boats.

Happycampers,

Good idea on your rack. I too like the Penobscot 17. I am paddling a Wenonah Spirit II these days and I really like it. It is much like a Penobscot 17 in many ways.

Thanks for all the replies, I love to talk canoes.

CanoeStream · 09-19-2007, 11:49 AM

I just saw an interesting idea in the rotating pictures on the portal page. They are nice dodgers for camping but I'd have my doubts about using while underway. Link - http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...iginal=1&c=502

Davydd · 09-19-2007, 07:05 PM

I had this setup with kayaks working with pulling the Airstream and then I up and sold the Airstream.

Now I have a Sprinter camper van and there is no way I can load them 9 ft. high up. So I am researching folding and inflatable kayaks.

ROBERT CROSS · 09-19-2007, 07:12 PM

BOATS N' STREAMS... THEY DO SEEM TO GO TOGETHER

Boondocker · 09-19-2007, 07:26 PM

I miss my old town canoe. We used to use them when I was guiding up in Maine. Visited the factory that summer, that was neat. Then had my own for several years in TN but sold it when I went back to school. I think one will look real nice on top of the new (to me) F250. I am keeping my eye out for a new one for sure. My first wilderness trip was in a canoe (boundry waters) and I couldnt begin to tell you the miles I have traveled on river and lake (often under sail in Maine) in canoes since. I really ought to get another old town, but I confess, there is a part of me that urns for a cedar strip canoe.

Royce · 09-19-2007, 08:26 PM

Congrats on the first trip, karma on the way. Here is a shot of what was a fun combination. We don't own the Saturn anymore but Osena is still enjoyed.

doorgunner · 09-19-2007, 08:41 PM

Rodney;
I think you need to take a road trip one state west, meet up with Royce and make an "exchange". At least check out his web site to get the drool flowing!!

Royce · 09-19-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doorgunner

Rodney;
I think you need to take a road trip one state west, meet up with Royce and make an "exchange". At least check out his web site to get the drool flowing!!

Thanks DG, I can live for a week on a compliment like that.

Boondocker · 09-19-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doorgunner

Rodney;
I think you need to take a road trip one state west, meet up with Royce and make an "exchange". At least check out his web site to get the drool flowing!!

I dont even want to know what works of art like that cost. It would just make me sad.

Fyrzowt · 09-19-2007, 10:52 PM

DG isn't the only one who has drooled over those canoes, he's just a little more open about it...

Dave

HowieE · 09-20-2007, 07:06 AM

I was quite concerned about my first trip with my kayak in that the kayak was mounted well off center on a Thule Hulavator rack. The picture shows what looks like good clearance but when turning to the right I have less than 3 ins. clearance.

Additional pics noted in my signature.

Davydd · 09-20-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

I was quite concerned about my first trip with my kayak in that the kayak was mounted well off center on a Thule Hulavator rack. The picture shows what looks like good clearance but when turning to the right I have less than 3 ins. clearance.

Additional pics noted in my signature.

How is that Hullavator rack working? I have been curious about it.

PS. That is one absolutely beautiful kayak on your website. Kudos.