I want to keep as much wet gear out of the car as possible (which begs the question 'why did I buy a wagon?') and on the roof. Would like to be able to carry 1 board, 1 mast, 1 boom, 2 sails. Or more.
Anyone got any favourites?
...now I've written that I realise I can put wet stuff in the bags, in the car and remove at home (or not).
Anyway, anyone got any favourite bags for gear? Preferably with salt resistant zippers.
what about plastic tubs in the back of the car...used to use a couple about the size of a milk crate to hold wet harness, wetsuit, mast base/ext etc etc. It's not going to help with the sails and booms though.
Just stick it in the car and live with the damp.
You're going to anyway, tying stuff on the top of the car when you can just shove it in the back will get old after about three weeks.
I have a blue plastic tarp in mine to catch the drips.
I agree with the above, use your wagon. I have one as well and use the old tarp trick. Have a mate who has a sedan and puts everything on top of his car, ended up with a rusted roof.
With a wagon you don't have to worry about theft and bits falling off on the road.
Enjoy what you have....
Build a trailer.
Can fit way more kit and doesn't mess up the car.
Great for hiding that new kit from your missus as it's always in the trailer.
You can always use the roof-racks for carrying the gear you couldn't fit into the trailer
>>Great for hiding that new kit from your missus as it's always in the trailer.
Classic , like putting new sails in old sail bags.
When my wagon was off the road i made do with the sedan and roof racks, see below. 2 boards, 3 sails, two masts and booms on top. I used my paper recycling bin for the extra bits and wet stuff in the boot.
I did find that in my wagon the front seat rails were rusting from the drips of water coming out of the sails behind the seat. It did have a drop sheet but it didn't stop the drips. My advice, get a van, you'll never look back!
Get a DeLorean, there Stainless Steel!!!! (And if you get the optional Flux capacitor you can continually go back in time to the windiest days ever!!!)
I've used a wagon for a couple of years now with no problems. I have 3 plastic tubs, one of which I use for wet gear. I always try to get the sail rolled and standing up to drain as a priority when I derig. Boards in bags. Rarely any problems with dampness.
I had a sail maker make me up a bag that is like a giant sail bag, made from waterproof material and a zip on the end. You can fit around 4 or 5 sails in it and a few masts.
I got lazy though and don't use it much and just throw things in the back of the wagon. I would use it if I had a car where I cared about not getting salt water everywhere.
For some time i have been considiring a roofbox. You can get them i pretty big sizes 235x90x45. No hazzle with ropes or anything just put all the junk into it and go. Or perhaps a slimmer one like a skibox just for the sails and masts. And you can seal it so it wont drip on the roof.
Why don't anyone use them?
I have a Honda Jazz with the fold flat front seat. I got a car / marine upholsterer to make me a liner out of thick waterproof material which goes right over the interior including the front passenger seat
Custom fit. With a flap to go over the tailgate (good for sitting on in wet gear in winter). Catches the dirt, sand, grass, water. Cost about $450 and still going strong 4 years later.
I recently bought one of the seabreeze change bags to put all the wet kit into (harness, shoes, rashie, suit, jacket etc) very convenient.
Last season I bought a fish pond liner from Bunnings. Fits perfectly in my VX Commodore wagon with seats down. Has enough material to go up the sides aswell. Perfect for keeping water off the interior of the car. Comes in thick plastic or a plastic canvass material - generally black in colour. Being a pond liner water doesn't leak through. Comes in pre-packs (best option, it's a bit cheaper) or off rolls and cut to size. Hope this helps.
davecta had one of those pod things you stick on the roof rack to put the board and sails in
you could ask if he still has it, and if you're lucky, it might still even have a toyota camry attached to it
Just throw it in the back of the car !!
By the time it rusts too badly you will be over the car anyway and will be looking for a new one.....
I vote for just sticking it in the car too. Dont worry about trashing the car, they are still making them. Its all about priorities would you rather trashed gear or a trashed car?
I stick all mine in the back of the Corolla hatch seats down ( well boards on top in bags).I have a red plastic tub for all the wetsuits etc and put the sails in their bag on top of the booms etc with towels under to take the damp.I have a plastic liner in the back but I don't think Ive evr needed it. I don't think the car has suffered.I have a large zip up bag that takes 5 sails and the dry ones are in that. I used to put the wet ones in it but got lazy.Anyway all the damp gear goes on top of the other layers so it doesn't touch the car. I also rinse my harness etc before I put it in but thats more because we're on tank water than to save the car.
Roof's the go, you've just got to be 100% sure that after you've put it all up there you remember the tiedowns.
I bag the sails and lean them to dry while I finish derigging. Despite this, whenever the end of a sail happens to line up with the spare change bin in the centre consol... it fills up to the brim. Rusty loose change.
Just fold the back seats down permanently,take off the passenger headrest and fold the front seat back, spread out a blue tarp ($5) and leave it that way forever more.
Leave your board, boom and mast on the roof racks. (its safer)
buy a boot liner (moulded ) you can now leave your sails in car.
buy a wet bag (any outdoor shop) to stash wettie in.
plastic box to stash sundry items
job done.
I am wondering why nobody has mentioned "people movers" as a good alternative Windsurfing vehicle.
Sorry, couldn't resist. This photo cracks me up everytime I see it. A bit like a good fart joke.
I use a moulded boot liner which has a 1cm rim which is plenty to contain drips.
I put a towel over that to absorb the water and then hang the towel out when I get home, so the car interior isn't damp.
Board in board bag with front and rear seats folded down.
Sail in bag in top of board bag - board bag absorbs drips from sail
Boom on top with towel wrapped around extension - this is where most of the water comes from.
Bits in a plastic box, wet gear in a plastic box.
The most damage to the car has come from me driving home wet, sitting on a towel - the moisture and salt has seeped through and damaged the leather. I don't do that anymore.