Hood loop tie downs

[Ralph]

A couple of things that I have done that I have found to be improvements are:
Using tubular webbing material for the loops instead of nylon webbing. It's softer on the car's finish. Like this - Example of tubular webbing
And, to protect from rubbing, is sliding pieces of car door edge protectors onto the hood and tailgate. Not this one but like it - Car door edge protectors

 

[Boatman53]

Woodpuppy I have tied my Hornbeck on my Subaru the same way and same location. The diagonal line and knot were always a bit of annoyance visually but I put up with it. However last week I loaded the canoe on in the evening for an early start the next day. Next morning it was pea soup fog, really thick and my eyes only wanted to focus on the rope and knot. I’d lean to the right, I’d lean to the left and determined it was a real safety hazard. I pulled over and retied the line as in the pics. I’ll never tie it on any other way unless someone here convinces me otherwise. I had a clear view and the vertical line was almost not noticed. I used a prussic knot to feed the lines through but on the way home I thought a square knot at the right place then a one line heads to each hood loop then back over the square knot and secured with a taut line hitch.

I did lose some sway control but that was dealt with by tying a thwart side to side. The boat did two 250 mile trips without incident.
I can upload more pic the next time I load the canoe if it is needed.
Jim

 

[Gamma1214]

...I pulled over and retied the line as in the pics...

THAT, I could probably live with. I played with under-hood loops on the old Ranger & couldn't stand looking at the ropes. A single line to the center of the hood was acceptable (barely) and this set-up seems to be visually similar. I'll have to remember to try that if I ever feel the need to tie down to the front of the car.

 

[memaquay]

I have very rarely used bow and stern lines for transport. Actually, I don't think I have ever used them. I have always assumed they were safety lines, in case there was a catastrophic rack failure, as my canoes have always been solidly held on the racks by ropes or cam straps. On the new truck, there are several tie down brackets in the box, so I have been placing one extra strap over the carrying thwart and attaching it to the box brackets, simply as a safety measure.

 

[Caledonia]

Makes me wonder if a person’s eyes would see past a black rope more easily when visibility is poor?

 

[Boatman53]

I think for me it depends on what boat I’m tying down. If it’s the guideboat, I don’t worry too much (except on long trips) because that boat has a lot of shape but the Hornbeck has a very slim shape so a little loosening of the lines and it can move around.
Jim

 

[scoutergriz]

My straps, when not in use, lay nicely hidden inside the hood without interfering with any engine component.

The one thing you must remember is to not leave the bow tie down rope still loosely attached to the webbing strap when you park the car after you remove your boat, because, believe me, you will forget it is there. If it happens to be on the ground and you move the car for any reason, it will get caught under a wheel and the results are not pretty. I put a crease in the fender of an older car by doing that. Never again. At the very least, wad up the rope and capture it under a windshield wiper so that you will see that it is there.

a buddy did exactly that with his brand new boat except at the back, he backed out of his driveway, stopped, and took the carcass of his canoe off the roof, and tossed it on the ground- unfortunately the gunnels, seats and thwarts were still on the roof (sorta', half of his outfitting was under the car). The strap went under the tire and did a good impression of a 10,000lb winch as it wrapped around his wheel...

 

[scoutergriz]

Makes me wonder if a person’s eyes would see past a black rope more easily when visibility is poor?

I've used dark blue cambuckle straps for years and find that after a minute or two I don't notice them anymore, unless they start flapping or I tie off the tag end in front of my face but they drive my wife nuts if she's driving.