Canoe Ponderings by Red Rock Wilderness Store
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Tie Down Two Canoes
Q.
Hi there,
This past year I purchased a used Quetico 18.5 and I have to say we are loving it... Red Rock has bee quite helpful and has offered great prices and information with all the gear I purchased this year.... Thanks for everything!
I have a trip planned in July to the Koma/Malber area and will be car topping 2 canoes for this trip. I have 78 inch load bars on my Thule rack and one set of Thule Canoe Carrier brackets. Do you have any advice on the best way to car top 2 canoes with only 1 set of canoe brackets? I am thinking I would put the brackets on the outside of both canoes (no brackets at all between the canoes) so that they don't slide off the racks... this would have the canoes "tilted" just a bit since the outside gulwale will be sitting on the bracket, and the inside gunwale will be directly on the bar on the inside of the rack. Will this be ok having them strapped down?
Also what's the best way to tie them both off in the front? I have the nylon topties on my vehicle... do I still tie both canoes to the top ties or is there a better/saver option?
Any advice on topping 2 canoes would be great... topping one canoe with the Canoe Carriers is a cinch, but I've never topped two before...
A. Glad the canoe is working out for you!
Put your canoe carriers on the outside of each canoe. I've done this a zillion times. Works very well. Use 4 straps (2 on each canoe) just like you would normally do for one. I've attached a really quick drawing for the toptie rope configuration as well. This works just like tying down one canoe. Use the same rope/knots for tying the second canoe. If you have additional questions, please email. Thanks!
Joe
Red Rock