V9 damage from a roof rack failure
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- We had a roof rack failure resulting in serious damage to my V9 as well as a friend’s OC-1. This video is an overview of the V9 damage and I decided to make it public because I am attempting to fix it myself and thought there may be some interest in updates as I make progress. I am not planning anything fancy for videos, just pictures and maybe short video clips with narration, provided I can maintain my motivation anyway.
When I first started paddling Surfski I would add an extra strap around the Surfski and vehicle side rails but I got out of that habit at some point, damn. I am not 100% sure what failed but what seems likely is that the front cross bar either broke or pulled through the windward tower. The incident happened on an interstate so it was hectic and I did not retrieve all the parts. I had inspected the rack prior to my trip to the Gorge and all seemed good at that point. I was only driving about 30-35 mph but we had a gale with gusts well over 40 knots. I was driving mostly into the wind, maybe 20 degrees off the wind - of course there may have been a swirling side gust at the time the rack left the vehicle . I was very lucky there was a gap in the traffic and no one was attempting to pass given the slow speed I was driving in the right lane because the boats/rack went airborne and landed in the left lane so it could have been much worse.
ouch, get better soon!
Tim, I posted a link to your video on Whatcom Paddlers. I'm not experienced enough with surfski repair to offer any advice. Some of our commenters have not be been super optimistic or at least think that is going to be quite a bit of work. If you see the repair through I hope you can salvage a reliable ski. And your idea of showing some snapshots or video of the work during its various stages could be quite interesting.
Paul, the first couple of days after the incident I was pretty down about it. Not just about the heavy damage to the V9 but also because my friend’s OC-1 sustained damage. But if there is one consistent thing about me it is that I like a challenge. Once my mind committed to the repair it has been all go. Now that I have started and are seeing some results I am 98% certain that I will end up with a reliable V9ish ski, although it will be a little heavier, and maybe not as pretty. 😸 I will post an update in a couple days or so.
Aooohhh. . Fast recovery.
Feel your pain had mine fly off the rack a couple of months ago, in for a repair now. Those transverse cracks could be a worry as they could form snap points.
Really needs reinforcement from the inside. Maybe separate top and bottom hulls to access that as its so extensive. Going to be a big job either way at least if you do that you wont miss an bits.
@@waverideraus4882 Yes, I am making temporary hatches to access the major damage from inside. Separating the hull halves really isn’t feasible as they are also glued together at the stringers and not just the seam.
Couple of years ago about this time of year the wind was onshore maybe 3mph. I left my Nelo550 on my V-bars without strapping it down while I changed into paddling clothes in the car. A microburst hit and the car shook once (felt like a car going by at speed while stopped for a left turn). I heard a loud noise, looked in the mirror, and saw my boat bouncing off the parking lot. Damage limited to the Hull-to-deck joint along the bucket on the port side. I fixed it myself - lots of experience with composites.
@@davidGrainger Yikes. Skis are generally so light and big it doesn’t take much to get them airborne. I am glad you were able to fix the Nelo and it sure helps to have composite experience. Looks like I am gaining a little experience myself.
So sorry that happened. I would be sick. I always use extra straps when going on the highway, but I almost never use anything besides the bungies on the way to my local spot. What kind of rood rack were you using?
@@EpicV10Paddler I was using a Malone with Kayak Pro v-bars (the v-bars weren’t the problem). I will go back to adding an extra strap around the vehicle side rails.