Stored vertically on edge, you could bring them a bit closer together than having them horizontally stored. If you are storing 5 or more you might have space for an extra board. All depends on boards rocker n shape.
We stack 5 boards with the footstraps just touching the bottom of the board above, 7" spacing. Bags would add the need for more spacing.
2 wider boards go vert on the side. One high wind board gets tucked behind the space created by one wheel well. Surprisingly, it doesn't get scratched unbagged.
My Skate 110 does need a front screw undone on the front straps because it is thick.
Taking fins in and out of the boards has always been too much of a PITA for me, fin shims, wearing out the mounting screws, in a rush to get in the water, so I like to keep them in, so my boards are stored flat, with fin space. Also if I took more than three boards, high, medium, and low wind, I'm doing something wrong. Masts in their bags, suspended from the ceiling, booms hanging by their clews in a cradle, at the end of the forward bar under the twinzer board. When I take out one board, the one on the floor, I have more than enough room to change into my wetsuit. Also my rack doesn't have legs that go down to the floor on the outside of it, so I can fit a full size inflatable mattress in there for sleeping, or stack full size sheets of plywood or drywall in there for work. So this is what works for me, knowing to each their own.
Sue you saw my New Hiace last week as you know I tow a caravan so I have no need for a bed.
I got the a 2.8 diesel auto for towing as it's got 450nm 1500kg tow capacity Manual is 1900kg 150kg ball weight.
I would have loved it in a V6 as I have the same motor in my Toyota Aurion and it's a rocket ship so it's my speed fix.
As you know I just drove down to Budgewoi on my first trip towing the caravan and it went unreal the hills were a breeze the seating was very comfy with no body pain after hours of driving. Felt some wind gusts on the drive down to Budgy from Port in that strong wind but following trucks felt none. Daff the diesel motor is noisy on takeoff but on the highway with my fit out it's incredibly quiet before the fit out there was some muffler noise in the back.
Sue I made my racks in the new van horizontal to make use of the high roof which was wasted space in my old van and I also got rid of the board bags which only took up room and were always a pain pulling them in and out and also smelt when wet. I have a small towel which I use to wipe my boards dry this works well with no dripping and the foot straps dry out quick so no more smell apart from wet gear which always gets washed and dried later.
As you know my Sue and I go free camping so the new fit out was designed to carry heaps of camping gear as well I can now also carry 80L of water in drums on the side steps now I have two sliding doors.
I spent 9 days on the new fit out and had a lot of help from Trimmer in our team Thanks
My old van fit out below longer by 200mm in the back but 200mm narrower
New Hiace fit out done made use of the roof area room for more boards, sails and more.
Yes you did a great job. I have some plastic boxes for fins.
I change fins depending on whether I'm sailing shallow flatter water or chop so not having them in the board doesn't worry me.
Should have warned you Sue. That you'd get more information than you bargained for if you launched another van thread. Was this the model hiace you test drove? Did you agree with this bloke's impressions?
Another reason that I like to leave the fins on, which I forgot, is that they prevent the boards from sliding forward if I need to slam on the brakes, and either taking me out, or the front windshield, or both. Fins and straps, for redundant safety.
I was keen on a Transit when I started looking, but my mechanic advised against as they have a lot of problems. He advised Toyota, Mitsubishi and Hyundai (2nd hand) for reliability
Took a transporter for a test drive and fell in love.. Just like the Caddy but bigger..
The Transporter is coming the end of next week .
Vw Caddy for sale - great little car..