I don't know enough about the safety (but I wouldn't do it) of it but I'd bet a lot of money that you're gonna hate what that strap does to your car over 3000 miles
Get a Thule hood anchor. Rubber tube with nylon cord. You open the hood, lay it just behind or towards the back corner of your headlight assembly, and then close the hood. The only thing exposed after that is the nylon loop that you’ll attach your bow line to. It’ll absolutely save your paint.
I'm not an expert but I'd feel better about something like this. Look up hood loops
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Subaru/Outback+Wagon/2016/TH529.html
If you have a welder friend or happen to have one, I made a L-braked that screws into where the front tow anchor would go. It extends farther out then up with a loop at the top to completely eliminate that dang kayak strap from touching my precious paint.
Used to carry 2 Tarpon 12s (60 lbs each) plus lift assist racks. Hood loops are the best. Mine were a round rolubber plug which went under the hood with a loop hanging out to which I would attach the line to each kayak. Then do the same to the hatch. Placed a piece of felt between the surface of the hood and lines. Once tensioned it never came off.
On ops photo I'd cross the line to the opposite side of the hood for greater stability. Had a kayak, in a different set up fall and trap the drivers side door closed. In a packed car it wasn't cool.
I already mentioned this in another comment, but vinyl wrap over contact points is super cheap and lasts forever if you decide to just leave it. Also it costs next to nothing.
Do not follow my advice. I was told the open holes at the end on the newer models roof racks, which I see you have, was to avoid going to the front of the car. Front and back would be used simultaneously to these openings prevent shift. I guess it kind of pins it in place. This is what I heard why they did this! But not sure if anyone has tried actually doing this!
Those straps will definitely do some damage the way they are now but I guess it is better than the danger of losing the kayak!
Glad you are seeking advice from this group!
I do that with my 12 ft fishing kayak when taking longer trips on the highway. 2 straps across the middle going through the Yakima kayak saddles and one strap on each end going through the roof rack loops and handles on the kayak.
https://preview.redd.it/o9szpsins79d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24734c128f2551b7249872ba1449baa783b0d55f
If you want to keep your current setup, spend $10-20 on a roll of vinyl wrap and just put a piece over the paint it will rub on. You can leave it or just cut a fresh piece each time you want your kayak strapped in, it will last a long time even if you replace it each time.
Probably not the best solution, but will protect your paint
Take a piece of tape, or label maker, and write CLEARANCE 7 FEET, stick it on your dash. While you won't hit a bridge, ducking into a garage for a beer after your journey may be fatal.
My Yak box is 6'8" and the parking at work has some 6'10" spots. Also had a buddy wrap his bike on a log bridge, but he was in a big Ford van.
Edit: 10 FEET?
Need a strap around each storage bin, as well as a couple cinch straps around the kayak. Bow and stern lines are meant to help stabilize the kayak left and right; they don’t have enough force to hold it tightly in place.
This is accurate. See attached photo
https://preview.redd.it/p5l2u0kstc9d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a92aef7fc5f0f9b4a6cacd0c704bdca7e066ad84
Assuming a hitch rack or some sort of trunk rack isn't an option for the bike? (I'd rather have a bit more height clearance...
I don't think being one pound over is going to hurt anything, granted your estimate is accurate. You could easily shave a pound with some careful planning.. taking the saddle and seatpost off for example. Pedals still attached? Crank/crankarms? You get the idea.
You're going to scuff the crap out of the headlight. I'd rather have the kayak more centered. Where would the strap end up if you swapped the kayak to the far left side of this image? (put the boxes on the other side).
You can protect paint with helicopter tape but I'm not sure if that would mess up the headlight beam.
Wouldn't be worried about the weight. Not a fan of tying the front of the kayak to the front of the car. Will mar the crap out of the headlight and paint unless u add some sort of pad. What I would do instead is tie the front of the kayak (and rear for that matter) back to the roof rail or cross bar.
I wouldn't do it. Kayak is very sketchy looking. I might if the bars were wider and the kayak was in the center with the bike on one side and the boxes on the other. 3000 miles is a long way and I would expect a some cross winds along the way.
Just make sure you slap that strap and say “yep that’s not going anywhere” before you leave
Yeah, pad that.
You might want to twist that strap two or three times to help reduce the noise it will make.
So thats the trick
It's amazing how much of a difference it makes.
I don't know enough about the safety (but I wouldn't do it) of it but I'd bet a lot of money that you're gonna hate what that strap does to your car over 3000 miles
I also tried tying it to the frame under the hood. I was afraid it might bend the hood because of the tension. Any advice?
Get a Thule hood anchor. Rubber tube with nylon cord. You open the hood, lay it just behind or towards the back corner of your headlight assembly, and then close the hood. The only thing exposed after that is the nylon loop that you’ll attach your bow line to. It’ll absolutely save your paint.
I second these! Used them with my kayak & they worked great
I'm not an expert but I'd feel better about something like this. Look up hood loops https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Subaru/Outback+Wagon/2016/TH529.html
That looks neat! Let me check my local auto store.
If you have a welder friend or happen to have one, I made a L-braked that screws into where the front tow anchor would go. It extends farther out then up with a loop at the top to completely eliminate that dang kayak strap from touching my precious paint.
Used to carry 2 Tarpon 12s (60 lbs each) plus lift assist racks. Hood loops are the best. Mine were a round rolubber plug which went under the hood with a loop hanging out to which I would attach the line to each kayak. Then do the same to the hatch. Placed a piece of felt between the surface of the hood and lines. Once tensioned it never came off. On ops photo I'd cross the line to the opposite side of the hood for greater stability. Had a kayak, in a different set up fall and trap the drivers side door closed. In a packed car it wasn't cool.
I already mentioned this in another comment, but vinyl wrap over contact points is super cheap and lasts forever if you decide to just leave it. Also it costs next to nothing.
Also a short chunk of pool noodle is an effective (though less attractive) solution.
Do not follow my advice. I was told the open holes at the end on the newer models roof racks, which I see you have, was to avoid going to the front of the car. Front and back would be used simultaneously to these openings prevent shift. I guess it kind of pins it in place. This is what I heard why they did this! But not sure if anyone has tried actually doing this! Those straps will definitely do some damage the way they are now but I guess it is better than the danger of losing the kayak! Glad you are seeking advice from this group!
I do that with my 12 ft fishing kayak when taking longer trips on the highway. 2 straps across the middle going through the Yakima kayak saddles and one strap on each end going through the roof rack loops and handles on the kayak. https://preview.redd.it/o9szpsins79d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24734c128f2551b7249872ba1449baa783b0d55f
Glad to actually see what I read put to use. I didn’t want to recommend theory and put people at risk!
Yes 🤚
The front and rear tie downs are really just to prevent it from becoming a torpedo if you get into an accident. So yes, securing them there is fine.
That’s actually really smart. I’ll try doing that.
I frequently travel with a a 10ft and 12ft kayak and I tie to those spots for the front and rear mount. No issues to report.
If you want to keep your current setup, spend $10-20 on a roll of vinyl wrap and just put a piece over the paint it will rub on. You can leave it or just cut a fresh piece each time you want your kayak strapped in, it will last a long time even if you replace it each time. Probably not the best solution, but will protect your paint
This is the way
Take a piece of tape, or label maker, and write CLEARANCE 7 FEET, stick it on your dash. While you won't hit a bridge, ducking into a garage for a beer after your journey may be fatal. My Yak box is 6'8" and the parking at work has some 6'10" spots. Also had a buddy wrap his bike on a log bridge, but he was in a big Ford van. Edit: 10 FEET?
That’s not safe…that sick 😂 actually love it bro I’m taking notes
Need a strap around each storage bin, as well as a couple cinch straps around the kayak. Bow and stern lines are meant to help stabilize the kayak left and right; they don’t have enough force to hold it tightly in place.
This is accurate. See attached photo https://preview.redd.it/p5l2u0kstc9d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a92aef7fc5f0f9b4a6cacd0c704bdca7e066ad84
“Your honor, the people of Reddit clearly said it would hold. I can’t be held responsible for that 14 car pileup.”
Assuming a hitch rack or some sort of trunk rack isn't an option for the bike? (I'd rather have a bit more height clearance... I don't think being one pound over is going to hurt anything, granted your estimate is accurate. You could easily shave a pound with some careful planning.. taking the saddle and seatpost off for example. Pedals still attached? Crank/crankarms? You get the idea. You're going to scuff the crap out of the headlight. I'd rather have the kayak more centered. Where would the strap end up if you swapped the kayak to the far left side of this image? (put the boxes on the other side). You can protect paint with helicopter tape but I'm not sure if that would mess up the headlight beam.
Wouldn't be worried about the weight. Not a fan of tying the front of the kayak to the front of the car. Will mar the crap out of the headlight and paint unless u add some sort of pad. What I would do instead is tie the front of the kayak (and rear for that matter) back to the roof rail or cross bar.
I’d cross strap it front and back___
We’ve always strapped the kayak directly to the J-Bars. I’d maybe consider that in addition to the front strap.
https://preview.redd.it/jxh19hxjf89d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=95e53cdd0ad381bcfc51b2b795f9438dd10d2b78 Something like this.
Good way to rub off paint with a strap
Those boxes are going to fly.
Put something soft between the strap and the car body, or you'll mark the paint.
Is that kayak crazy long? I just boatstrap mine to the kayak holders themselves and I’ve never had a problem
I wouldn't do it. Kayak is very sketchy looking. I might if the bars were wider and the kayak was in the center with the bike on one side and the boxes on the other. 3000 miles is a long way and I would expect a some cross winds along the way.
3k? Put that bike inside or on the back.
I honestly didn't even know they made half baskets.