Ensure your factory or specialist cross racks and cross rack fittings on your vehicle are both appropriate and strong enough to carry your boat. Consult your cross rack manufacturers if in doubt. Never exceed the manufacturer’s recommended weight limit for your vehicle roof racks.
Remember Total weight is the sum of the weight of your load plus the weight of accessories used to carry the load.
Ensure your cross racks are as far apart as they can be. A recommended span of 37 inches [95 cm] cross –rack to cross rack is advised for good performance of your EZ-Vees.
Ensure your ‘Vs’ and boat do not overhang the width of the vehicle.
Apply the U-Bolts over the specialist cross- racks at 45 Degrees ensuring each U Bolt is installed with the opposite orientation.
Center your boat in the racks. [Ahmas must be removed if carrying an outrigger].
Remove the Pin in the V’s to adjust or alter the location of the V’s at each end of the long bar to best fit the profile of the hull or to locate your boat the best support point. Always re-insert the pin fully with the retaining clip in place.
Fix 2 x elastics per ‘V’. If shorter elastic is required double the elastic over itself. If a long drive, adverse or windy conditions are envisaged use the 2 x additional “cam buckle” tie-down straps included to further strap the boat to the EZ-Vee long bar.
Front and rear [Bow and Stern] lines are also advisable and recommended. Safety first!
Always drive at slow speeds and with caution when transporting boats - wind pressures can build up at high speeds.
Comply with all traffic signals and instructions. Not all weather conditions are appropriate to carry long boats! – If in doubt delay or postpone your trip until more suitable conditions exist.
Avoid leaving your boat on the racks for prolonged periods of time and especially so in hot conditions.
Don’t forget the length of the boat you are carrying!
Check your boat, racks, U bolts and tie-downs frequently. Re-tighten as necessary.
Attach the red warning / safety flag to the rear of your boat. Some states require an 18” x 18” flag to be attached.
Do not modify your Rowing Racks.
Make yourself aware of all state and federal laws and requirements regarding the transportation of over length and over size loads
If you are installing EZ Vee kayak Racks one a vehicle with a Trunk, Hatchback door or boot – take care when opening so as not to damage your vehicle on the Mounted EZ-Vee bars which may be directly above the opening door.
