New(to me) boat and a couple questions

[Sagittarius62]

For the record the roof rack is rated at 150lbs, the boat weighs 85lbs. Second, the boat is 12 feet long, so the bow and stern are strapped down to the frame of the vehicle front and rear. It is not even tied to the rack itself, other than for a little lateral stability. If the boat takes off, the whole van will be airborne. I'm not that foolish. That safe enough Dad?

I was shocked at the price of the Thule and Yakima roof top bars. I wasn't too keen on spending $300 plus to transport a canoe I got second hand for under $200.

So I improvised my own roof top bars. Using some U bolts, 4 small hardwood blocks and wing nuts I was ale to add two 6' long sections of 1" dia. galvinzed pipe to my existing roof rack.

Total cost under $30, and that includes 4 tennis balls 'bumpers' to cover the pipe ends.

This is my situation exactly. Perfect solution. I just want to keep the gunwhales off the roof of the van.