Carrying a surfboard on top

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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timjonz
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Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by timjonz » Sat Sep 18, 2010 10:21 am

There have been many discussions about this before & I opted for the stainless steel eyes to strap the boards on.
However when I stacked 2 boards on top of each other they moved so now I put them side by side with one edge slightly overlapping the other. this give no movment when travelling.

The question I have is has anyone put just one board on top using these eyes or the brackets that Griffin made?
I use standard straps when I put 2 or 3 boards up there but I am concerned that a single board may move around too much or even slide off.

I have thought of getting some of those soft rack straps that some people use on cars, but feeding them through the eyes not the windows, but I think that this could give a lot of movement, bouncing around & noise.
Please let me know of your experiences. Thanks
Tim
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by dobby » Sat Sep 18, 2010 11:15 am

I copped out completely and fitted roof bars for our board, coincidentally the same ones that fit our ford focus.

It's finding a way of carrying four full size body boards that I'm struggling with.
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by tim & angie » Sat Sep 18, 2010 1:01 pm

I use Thule roof bars for my 2 boards, mine is a tin-top (bongolow) though. Find it best to stack one on-top of the other and a bit of foam pipe insulation on the bars helps keep the boards in place without having to tighten the straps too much.

Tim
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by timjonz » Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:57 am

Update -
I strapped the board on using the s/s eyes - there was no problem with movement whilst travelling so I was just over concerned.

The s/s eyes are the way forward :D
Tim
Bert

Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by Bert » Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:06 pm

What stainless steel eyes?
timjonz
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by timjonz » Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:55 am

Bert wrote:What stainless steel eyes?
http://www.steelgear.co.uk/product.php?productid=1245

I just added s/s split washers & screwed them into the threaded holes on top of the AFT .....simples
:D
Tim
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Mctavish
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by Mctavish » Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:12 pm

I happily carried two boards for 4 weeks in August, and I manage 1 board without issue. One tip I would offer is to tie a loop into the strap before threading the tail through the eye, then lead the tail back through the loop to give a 2:1 purchase on the strap. Give it some beans and tie it off with two half hitches. Done.
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chipvan
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by chipvan » Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:50 am

not sure the sand and the board bag rubbing on aft is a healthy idea?
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by timjonz » Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:07 am

chipvan wrote:not sure the sand and the board bag rubbing on aft is a healthy idea?
I keep a dustpan & brush in the bongo, & use that to get most of it off.
So hopefully I don't end up with a hole in my roof [-o<
Tim
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by mikexgough » Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:07 am

chipvan wrote:not sure the sand and the board bag rubbing on aft is a healthy idea?
I guess if your concerned about scratching then a camping microfibre towel would be okay under the board and bag........ microfibre cloths are used for polishing these days and will be under the board/board in a bag and protect the top from scratching..... These towels in Giant size are around £15..... Just a thought....
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timjonz
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by timjonz » Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:18 am

Mctavish wrote:One tip I would offer is to tie a loop into the strap before threading the tail through the eye, then lead the tail back through the loop to give a 2:1 purchase on the strap. Give it some beans and tie it off with two half hitches. Done.
Not realy sure I know what you mean.
I strap mine the same way as you would on a roof rack - thead half the strap through one eye throw both ends to the other side, thread the strap through the other eye then up to the buckle & tighten. I end up with miles of strap left over which I wrap around theeye several hundred time then tie it off (have no idea what knot I use though)
Tim
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Re: Carrying a surfboard on top

Post by wonkanoby » Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:02 am

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