Brownlee Crappie Shootout traveling advice

I had a great time at last year's shootout. I had a terrible time going home. For years I've been strapping my Hobie Revo 13 over the Yakima bars on the roof of my Subie, but coming back through the gorge at 75 mph into a wind gusting to 35+ mph it got freakin' scary! I couldn't strap it down hard enough to stop it wiggling left and right as the big gusts hit.

Would anyone recommend a more stable attachment method suitable for 100+ mph gusty winds? Is there a stable Yakima attachment suitable for the Revo? Should I be posting the question to another forum?

Were you using bow and stern tie downs as well?  Also, do you put it on right side up or upside down?  The Revo hull might be sturdier upside down.  I car top my PA14 on a Subie all the time through very windy conditions and rarely drive less than 75-80+ and don't have any issues even with the much larger cross section.  I do use bow and stern tie downs all the time.

If you do it upside down and since the revo is so much skinnier you might be able to also fit some kayak saddles or something on both sides of it after it is strapped down to help keep it moving from side to side.

Kevin

I know when I carry my OK Trident on the roof I have to put it upside down. Strap both ends. The key to locking it down is the center strap that I put through the handles on each side and through the back door of my Volvo.

Time you travel early in the morning when the winds are the lightest if at all possible.

As others have said bow and stern straps are key, but you should be using those every time you are traveling at highway speeds.

The wind after the shootout last year was fierce.  My Outback goes on a rack that keeps the nose behind the windshield.  I had kayak holders on the rack and I always tie the bow and stern.  Even then, the kayak bounced around more than I like, so I pulled over and added a rope to each front corner of the hood - that kept the yak more stable and gave me enough confidence to drive at regular speed back to Portland.

Mojo showed me where you can attach a couple ropes on both sides of  a Subaru hood.  Though my wife doesn’t use them on her Subaru, there are a couple short loops that fit in the side gaps of her car hood that I can easily tie to - “just in case “. 

Make a larger loop with a surgeon’s knot doubled up with para cord , run it through the hole in the photo and tie two more double knots on the other side so it can’t pull through the hole. It will lay under the hood when not in use and can be pulled out when needed, just be sure there long enough to lay over the fender on there own while you close the hood, unless you got 3 very long arms.
Disclaimer: Not my car, Internet photo, we don’t have the Outback anymore!

Edit: you might want to get some clear tape or color matching and cover the edge of your hood to prevent paint wear while in use.

On my Subie I use Sherpak Quick Loops in the front and they work well and are easy to drop in when needed.  We sell them at my store (Outdoor Emporium).  Here's a vid I did a while ago showing them while showing how I tie down a customers new Hobie.



Kevin

I use the sherpak like loops all the time and they are a great product, and have kept my yak very secure when I have car-topped it.  I use a set in the front and in the back for stern and bow tie downs. Coupled with securing the yak upside down and lashed to the car rack cross beams, I have only had it move once.  (And that was my fault for a poor knot). I'd give them a try.