I have two pair of Yakima Showdown kayak racks. Being of a certain age I find they help considerably with loading/unloading. Especially from a 1500 series truck.

While loading I noticed a pin on two of racks had started backing out (they are pressed in). I contacted Yakima regarding the problem and was sent a list of things I had to do in order to file for warranty. One thing was to circle/highlight where I tie the kayaks down on a graphic of a car with a kayak. I circled the rack areas and drew a line connecting the front of the kayak to the front of the car.

Submitted everything and the next day my claim was denied due to not showing a line from the aft of the kayak to the back of the car. With the denial the rep sent a screen shot of the warranty paper indicating a line must be on the back. According to her not having a line on the back causes instability and that's why the pin failed.

I've hauled dozen of vessels (surfboards, kayaks, etc...) tens of thousands of miles (just completed a 6000 mile trip) and have never tied the back. Nor have I ever had any kind of failure. My worst nightmare is losing gear on the highway so I always strap the crap out of it.

The sad thing is all I had to do was draw a line and the warranty would have been approved.

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2027 SCAR SWIM APPLICATIONS OPEN NOVEMBER 1, 2026 for swim dates:

Saguaro is Wednesday, April 21, 2027.

Canyon is Thursday, April 22, 2027.

Apache is Friday, April 23, 2027.

Roosevelt is Saturday, April 24, 2027.

Link - scarswim.com.

We always need a handful of kayakers to assist the swimmers. I have done it 2 years in a row and I can't WAIT to do it again come April. Last year I camped along the lakes as we raced and it elevated the experience to no words!

If you are available, please fill out the application Nov 1 when the application becomes open. Whether you can do one day, two days or all 4- come join us! It is so so so challenging and fun!

How difficult is it to paddle a loaded recreational sit inside kayak (Vapor 12xt) upstream? Looks like the current is about a 2-4mph and I’d like to get about 4-5 miles. Will only have gear inside - not on top - of the kayak.
As a generally fit person, but relatively beginner kayaker, did I bite off more than I can chew?

ETA: Alright guys, calm down. I just verified with the rental place (AGAIN) to double check current and wind conditions and she reassured me there’s not too much difference up vs downstream. I think AI thought I was asking for wind speed.
And for those of you who implied I used AI to plan my entire trip, let me reiterate - I spoke to humans first, scoured and researched many legit resources and am part of a couple groups familiar with the area. I asked AI a single question out of last minute anxiety, highly suspected the answer was wrong, came in here to see what others have to say, and found out the AI was incorrect as I’d suspected. 🙃

Its a cheap kayak but I'd rather not get another

I purchased a drysuite Multifabs Survival / AeroStar OTS-600, P/N 601GBR006

Really good one, but with one caveat: it is not specifically designed for kayaking, so it has no overskirt.

I know it is not ideal. But maybe you have an experience with such drysuits? Any advice for its usage, better hermetization for roll, any best practices?

British adventurer Ash Dykes was reported “missing” during a 700km kayak expedition in the Congo Basin, prompting dramatic headlines in the media. The reality was rather less alarming.

My father already has a roof rack like the one in the picture and I need a kayak rack that connects to it so he can use it.

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/quest-crosswater-100-kayak-23queuqstcrsswtr1psk/23queuqstcrsswtr1psk ( this is current kayak )

Need a back pad or a full seat replacement depending on the day even short trip can hurt any recommendations much appreciated