roof rack .? now don't start ......

[peanut]

I have decided to take up paddling and I'm not talking about bucket and spades but kayaking .

I've always loved pottering about on the river. Strange the fascination water has for us isn't it . I used to spend hours following culverts and drains in London when I was a kid ..ahem but I digress

Yes well the question I wanted to ask is ... has anyone fitted a roof rack to a 944 and if so what where how why and how much £?
I will probably go for one of these short Pyranha kayak jobbies about 8`.0" long . I figure I could make a simple A frame for the rear off the spoiler and put some small flat hooks to the edge of the rear hatch but what about the roof fixing ?

Don't go and spend all w/e drawing up plans and specifications chaps ho ho . by the way are there any other paddlers on here I wonder .?

Have a brilliant weekend everyone whatever you are doing

 

[zcacogp]

Peanut,

Yes - used to paddle a lot. Made it to Senior Instructor level, and did most of the decent white water in the UK on a regular basis. Sadly, that was when I was young and fit, and then I got old and fat and stodgy and married. Last time out was at the Thames Weirs in Hurley, and I realised how rusty I really am ...

I too have wondered about roofracks on 944's - it is possible, I am sure, but not sure how. I don't quite follow your description above about how to attach it. Are you planning to have it over the rear window as opposed to on top of the car?


Oli.

ETA:

 

[homesea]

I have seen small metal ones for sale on US ebay, probably not suitable to carry a kayak. I was also thinking about a bike rack (sorry to hijack you thread) if any knows of one?

 

[Guest]

Now on a similar theme...how about a trailer? I sometimes move stuff around that would need a small transit and after some research decided a trailer for the 944 may be the way forward, as I don`t want to buy a van for such occasional use. I currently hold the record for the most copies of Yellow Pages (180) in a 944[8|] but a trailer really would be better.

 

[peanut]

wow Oli does that look great on top of a zermat silver ??? 944 or what!.

I was thinking about getting something a little longer for flat water paddling and maybe touring . I looked at a Pyranha Microbat or Inazone etc nice and short and easy to manoever in and out of the water etc. but have accepted that I am too heavy really. Prob better off with something like a Perception Dancer .

I want to just punt about on a few rivers, canals and mabe the odd bit of sea shore estuary .

The reason I thought short was stowing it on the 944 without too much overhang.

I thought if I get a 3.5 metre PD it would have to be supported over the rear hatch as well as the roof .
what do ya reckon?

Homsea I got a standard bike rack from Argos which carried our 2 bikes for Triathlon ok On my own I alwas take the front wheel off and chuck it in the back for safety and quickness. Wouldn't want to put a bike on a roof rack on a 944 I don't think .

Keith Mmmm a trailer . Problem with that is I would have to shell out for the towbar which I'm not sure would even fit on a 944S2 ? and then shell out for a trailer as well I wouldn't be able to afford to the kayak lol [] Another zermatt silver lovely . The best colour there is

 

[sawood12]

There is a roofrack for sale on the members for sale section however I think it's overpriced. The proper roofrack attaches to the to silver screws you can see at the back of the roof in the gap between the tailgate and the body (you can't miss them). I did search the Thule website about 18 months ago and it was still listed and was about £150 but the website has now changed and I can't find the same set on the new website. The roofrack going on the members for sale section is the same as my current one, which is a kit rack where you can use different footpacks to suit the car. I use it on my Focus but with a different footpack. Footpacks cost around £25 but it depends if the 944 footpack is still available.

 

[A5DSR]

How much !!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Thule-Porsche-968-Roof-Rack-Roof-Bars-fit-944-924-RARE_W0QQitemZ300115144817QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10408QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[peanut]

Strewth eek blurry hell reckon I could make one cheeaper than that.

maybe I should design and manufacture one []

I'll keep an eye out for one a bit cheaper . Thanks for the suggestion . never thought there might actually be one made for the 944

 

[homesea]

Found this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ski-Racks-for-Porsche-944-924-924-Turbo-NIB_W0QQitemZ110053129521QQihZ001QQcategoryZ21231QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
Dont know how but I guess it could be adapted. [8|]

 

[rob944s]

I have seen a nice little tow bar on e-bay and a caravan thrown in for a 944 tonight[], i am just loading a couple of petrol bombs to stop anyone taking things any further[], it`s a driving machine!!!!!!!!! i could say more[]..... i dont like roof racks on sports cars[] ...........................................sorry but i know sports in sports cars doesnt mean all sports, now if you had a roof rack delivering spare parts for other porsches i could understand[]. sorry i dont like the idea please take it off.....and buy a ford mondeo just for the kyak....sorry again it`s just me just because i dont like it doesn`t mean others wont...... good luck with the mondeo plenty around though...maybe it will be me paddleing my way out of this one.....ps is there enough smileys on this page 4 you all [].....

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: homesea

Found this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ski-Racks-for-Porsche-944-924-924-Turbo-NIB_W0QQitemZ110053129521QQihZ001QQcategoryZ21231QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
Dont know how but I guess it could be adapted. [8|]

thats an interesting idea thanks I'll check it out

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: rob944s

I have seen a nice little tow bar on e-bay and a caravan thrown in for a 944 tonight[], .

A 944 towing a caravan ho ho ho I'd love to see it . That would be the ultimate madness lol.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: peanut

A 944 towing a caravan ho ho ho I'd love to see it . That would be the ultimate madness lol.

You just had to ask [8|]

 

[rob944s]

That is absolutly classic, i was beside myself with laughter when i saw that, fantastic[][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

 

[peanut]

oh god thats funny I nearly wet myself [][][]

 

[944Turbo]

and back to roof racks, from the brochure,

 

[zcacogp]

Peanut,

Sorry, didn't see your earlier post ...

Can't help with the sourcing of roofracks, but length-wise, don't worry about it. The roof bars being close together is not a problem for carrying a long boat, the only advice if the ratio of (rack spacing : boat length) is bad is that you should run a rope (or strap) from front of the boat to the front of the car (tie it under the bumper or similar) and the same at the back. This will prevent the boat from riding up at the front or back. You certainly shouldn't have much problem putting at least 2 boats on the top of a 944, and possibly 4. (I once got 5, and an open Canadian, on top of a Mk1 Golf, and that doesn't have a roof that's any much bigger than a 944 ... )

The Dancer is a cracking boat - I still have one - and would heartily recommend it for anyone from an improving amateur to a hard-core nutter. Don't buy the club-spec one tho' (linear plastic - very weak) and don't be tempted to buy the cheaper Mirage instead, 'cos they are very nasty! I also have a Pri-Jon Invader '89 which I think is a smidge lighter, but a lot more expensive. I prefer it over the Dancer by a small whisker.

(The picture I posted earlier isn't mine - it belongs to a chap called Dern from Pistonheads ... )


Oli.

 

[peanut]

Hi Oli thanks for the advice. I must admit I was a tad worried about loseing a 3.5mt kayak on the fast lane of the M5 lol talk about carnage .
I have decided that unfortunatly the dancer is too small for me. I am too large and heavy. I shall probably have to go with a Perception Acascia ? which is quite long. It will support my 17+ stone better however and feel less like paddling a coracle lol. Pity cos there are quite a few s/h dancers on fleabay but nary a single acascia. still they are quite reasonable new

I have seen a really cheap suction pad roof rack which I am going to buy. Supplemented with the tie downs front and rear that you suggest I think will do just the job.!

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: 944Turbo

and back to roof racks, from the brochure,

thanks turbo. good image I can see exactly how the rear bar bolts to the bolts under the edge of the rear hatch . Could probably make something easily to attach to a standard Thule to add extra strength. Ta

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: peanut

Hi Oli thanks for the advice. I must admit I was a tad worried about loseing a 3.5mt kayak on the fast lane of the M5 lol talk about carnage .
I have decided that unfortunatly the dancer is too small for me. I am too large and heavy. I shall probably have to go with a Perception Acascia ? which is quite long. It will support my 17+ stone better however and feel less like paddling a coracle lol. Pity cos there are quite a few s/h dancers on fleabay but nary a single acascia. still they are quite reasonable new

I have seen a really cheap suction pad roof rack which I am going to buy. Supplemented with the tie downs front and rear that you suggest I think will do just the job.!

Peanut,

Don't worry about losing kayaks from the roofrack. Plastic boats bounce off hard surfaces, and you won't damage them by doing this. Just make sure that you have spare straps and rope in the car to tie them on with when you go back to collect them.

They did do a Dancer XL, which may be a better bet. Larger, higher-volume version of the boat. But they are less common. I don't know the acascia - it's been a while since I last paddled, or visited a canoe shop ... !

Suction roofrack ... roofracks do two things - 1. Allow you to attach whatever you are carrying to the car so it doesn't fall off, and 2. Prevent you from damaging your car with the load. A suction roofrack would manage 2, but you would need to strap it carefully to something solid as well. Front and rear ties - possibly, but you will then be putting a large force down at the ends of the boat, with support only in the middle, which may bend the boat ... if you could devise some tie-downs on the roof itself (possibly bolting into those bolts under the top lip of the hatch) then that could be helpful.


Oli.