Hey guys

Just wondering if anyone has used these. Planning on occasionally heading down south or up north for a surf with mates meaning I needta get a roof rack for the boards. The proper ones are too expensive and not worth it cos I won't be going that often.

But I've heard the soft racks scratch the car and also dent the roof. Anyone else used these before? What about heading to places like Cervantes or Lancelin? Can you still drive normally? Any tips?

Cheers all.

I've used them. Probably wouldn't want to risk it on a really fancy car but I've never had any issues with permanent scratches or marks.

PM me if you want to borrow mine for your trip as I don't use them that often.

I've used them - no damage issues.

Sometimes takes a bit of setting up as they can vibrate. I have found that twisting all staps helps (don't just lay the straps flat on the roof - do a full twist).

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Kerreee said...

I've used them - no damage issues.

Sometimes takes a bit of setting up as they can vibrate. I have found that twisting all staps helps (don't just lay the straps flat on the roof - do a full twist).

They will still hum a bit tho but twisting does help

Im going to look through the quokka this weekend, heaps of roof racks in there.

Soft racks are ok for local surf but doing a 300k trip, Im not that keen although heaps of people use them for long trips..

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dirtyharry said...

I've used them. Probably wouldn't want to risk it on a really fancy car but I've never had any issues with permanent scratches or marks.

PM me if you want to borrow mine for your trip as I don't use them that often.

Ive a VY SS and I use them all the time, no probs at all

Soft racks work good did some trips down south from perth with them, but i wouldnt go on a dusty, sandy run up north with them unless your not worried about your cars paintwork. The grit can get under the straps and scratch the paintwork. As for denting the roof i never had any problems when i used to use them. Bought proper roof racks as i couldn't be bothered putting them on all the time.

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Kerreee said...

I've used them - no damage issues.

Sometimes takes a bit of setting up as they can vibrate. I have found that twisting all staps helps (don't just lay the straps flat on the roof - do a full twist).

Welcome to shortboards Kerreee

If you have a nice car spend the extra and get the FCS racks. They have neoprene feet on the bottom of the rack to protect your paint. The straps are also wider so they do not cut into the door rubbers.

On top of all of that they use a D Shackle like on a motorbike helmet that can not pull undone. The thicker straps hum less than the thin ones especially with a half twist.

I've had mine for over 5 years and done a 5000km round trip from the Goldy to Lorne in Vicco with them and they were perfect the whole way. They're the only i'd trust.

I have a set of SQUID soft racks, they were under $50 and do the job fine. The boards move around a bit which is unnerving but okay have had them on at over 120kmph and they were fine (not condoning speeding but i swear it was go onshore any moment!) They have the neoprene covers over the buckles as well so all good.

I've got the O&E soft racks for guttered cars and the another set for cars with no gutters

Have done trips to Lennox and back (800k's) with no issues

The FCS ones sound good and the twisting of the strap is the way to go, if it hums it is a real piss off

Never had any damage to the car, well I have not checked but have not noticed anything either...

Mhmm cheers all you guys. Yeh cars brand new which is why I'm worried... what about putting a towel or something underneath where the straps get tied to the car? =D

Worse comes to worse I'll probly have to get a real roof rack but anything to save those few hundred bucks!!! haha

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CMC said...

If you have a nice car spend the extra and get the FCS racks. They have neoprene feet on the bottom of the rack to protect your paint. The straps are also wider so they do not cut into the door rubbers.

On top of all of that they use a D Shackle like on a motorbike helmet that can not pull undone. The thicker straps hum less than the thin ones especially with a half twist.

I've had mine for over 5 years and done a 5000km round trip from the Goldy to Lorne in Vicco with them and they were perfect the whole way. They're the only i'd trust.

For all the newguys CMC know his sh!t. Listen to him oh and me to

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doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

I've used them. Probably wouldn't want to risk it on a really fancy car but I've never had any issues with permanent scratches or marks.

PM me if you want to borrow mine for your trip as I don't use them that often.

Ive a VY SS and I use them all the time, no probs at all

Like I said, you probably wouldn't want to use them on a nice car....

Just stirring doggie Sit boy, sit!

Lol the wise men whom's word of wisdom I shall adhere to... now comes the hard part: do I or don't I go with the soft racks... wish surfboards were collapsible, would make life so much easier!

I reckon go with the soft racks, I have used them for years with no probs at all.
Better than some of those cheap metal racks. I remember once seeing 3 boards occy strapped to a set of those old metal clip on roof racks flying through the air across the highway in front of me......funny to see but sad for the boards owners

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dirtyharry said...

doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

I've used them. Probably wouldn't want to risk it on a really fancy car but I've never had any issues with permanent scratches or marks.

PM me if you want to borrow mine for your trip as I don't use them that often.

Ive a VY SS and I use them all the time, no probs at all

Like I said, you probably wouldn't want to use them on a nice car....

Just stirring doggie Sit boy, sit!

go ahead, make my day, in your Astra only jokin

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doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

I've used them. Probably wouldn't want to risk it on a really fancy car but I've never had any issues with permanent scratches or marks.

PM me if you want to borrow mine for your trip as I don't use them that often.

Ive a VY SS and I use them all the time, no probs at all

Like I said, you probably wouldn't want to use them on a nice car....

Just stirring doggie Sit boy, sit!

go ahead, make my day, in your Astra only jokin

The sad thing is I drive a 2-door Yarris more than anything else (missus gets the other car to cart the kids around in). Even sadder is it's the 1.3 not 1.5. It's a bloody apprentice hairdressers car - and I'm not an apprentice hairdresser!

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dirtyharry said...

doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

I've used them. Probably wouldn't want to risk it on a really fancy car but I've never had any issues with permanent scratches or marks.

PM me if you want to borrow mine for your trip as I don't use them that often.

Ive a VY SS and I use them all the time, no probs at all

Like I said, you probably wouldn't want to use them on a nice car....

Just stirring doggie Sit boy, sit!

go ahead, make my day, in your Astra only jokin

The sad thing is I drive a 2-door Yarris more than anything else (missus gets the other car to cart the kids around in). Even sadder is it's the 1.3 not 1.5. It's a bloody apprentice hairdressers car - and I'm not an apprentice hairdresser!

Yea but while you use 2lt per 100kms mine uses 9.5lt per 100kms @ 100kph in 6th.
You dont want to know what it uses around town

Some specs, and mine is bog standard -

Engine:
5.665-litre 16-valve all-alloy pushrod V8

Location: front-mounted, longitudinal

Bore/stroke: 99.0mm x 92.0mm

Compression ratio: 10.0:1

Power: 235kW @ 5200rpm

Torque: 465Nm @ 4400rpm



Transmission:
Six-speed manual


Suspension:
Front: independent by MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Rear: independent by control link semi-trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar


Steering:
Power-assisted variable-ratio rack and pinion

Turning circle: 11 metres

Turns lock to lock: 2.8


Dimensions:
Length: 4891mm

Width: 1842mm

Height: 1425mm

Wheelbase: 2788mm

Front track: 1569mm

Rear track: 1587mm

Fuel capacity: 75 litres

Kerb weight: 1590kg << bit heavy, requires a bit of throwing around but fun


Standard Equipment:
Automatic transmission

Air-conditioning

Anti-lock Braking System

Twin front and side airbags

Traction control << turn off as soon as you start the car

Limited-slip differential << this bit is good

FE2 sports suspension

18-inch alloy wheels/tyres

Foglights

Remote central locking

Trip computer

Auto headlights on/off

Power windows

Power mirrors

Cruise control

Cloth sports seats

Power driver's seat height adjustment

Driver and passenger lumbar

Six-speaker six-CD audio

Steering wheel audio controls

Height/reach steering wheel adjustment

Front and rear cupholders

Skiport << this gay cant fit boards in

Illuminated lockable glovebox

Variable intermittent wipers

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doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

doggie said...

dirtyharry said...

I've used them. Probably wouldn't want to risk it on a really fancy car but I've never had any issues with permanent scratches or marks.

PM me if you want to borrow mine for your trip as I don't use them that often.

Ive a VY SS and I use them all the time, no probs at all

Like I said, you probably wouldn't want to use them on a nice car....

Just stirring doggie Sit boy, sit!

go ahead, make my day, in your Astra only jokin

The sad thing is I drive a 2-door Yarris more than anything else (missus gets the other car to cart the kids around in). Even sadder is it's the 1.3 not 1.5. It's a bloody apprentice hairdressers car - and I'm not an apprentice hairdresser!

Yea but while you use 2lt per 100kms mine uses 9.5lt per 100kms @ 100kph in 6th.
You dont want to know what it uses around town

Some specs, and mine is bog standard -

Engine:
5.665-litre 16-valve all-alloy pushrod V8

Location: front-mounted, longitudinal

Bore/stroke: 99.0mm x 92.0mm

Compression ratio: 10.0:1

Power: 235kW @ 5200rpm

Torque: 465Nm @ 4400rpm



Transmission:
Six-speed manual


Suspension:
Front: independent by MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Rear: independent by control link semi-trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar


Steering:
Power-assisted variable-ratio rack and pinion

Turning circle: 11 metres

Turns lock to lock: 2.8


Dimensions:
Length: 4891mm

Width: 1842mm

Height: 1425mm

Wheelbase: 2788mm

Front track: 1569mm

Rear track: 1587mm

Fuel capacity: 75 litres

Kerb weight: 1590kg << bit heavy, requires a bit of throwing around but fun


Standard Equipment:
Automatic transmission

Air-conditioning

Anti-lock Braking System

Twin front and side airbags

Traction control << turn off as soon as you start the car

Limited-slip differential << this bit is good

FE2 sports suspension

18-inch alloy wheels/tyres

Foglights

Remote central locking

Trip computer

Auto headlights on/off

Power windows

Power mirrors

Cruise control

Cloth sports seats

Power driver's seat height adjustment

Driver and passenger lumbar

Six-speaker six-CD audio

Steering wheel audio controls

Height/reach steering wheel adjustment

Front and rear cupholders

Skiport << this gay cant fit boards in

Illuminated lockable glovebox

Variable intermittent wipers

Looks like ur having a good day at work eh doggie? Careful ur boss don't see u put more effort into typing ur car specs than finishing off a report or something =D

All good mate I only post at work 4279 posts, 90% done at work

I cant believe you dont have any seat belts.......!

Newguy check this thread out, its a bit old but -

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Surfing/Shortboards/Im-goin-to-the-Mentawais-in-Sept/?page=1

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1joe said...

I cant believe you dont have any seat belts.......!

** Shakes head **, mate... good form hahaha Was checking the times on those posts too - 12.30, 4.30, 1.20 pm. If you were paid say $500 a week, it'd be like $30 a post! Doing very well man, just 'surfing' the net eh

I actually do work, its all about time managment

Role model to all of us man

Where do you surf ng?

i`ve heard Ocean and Earth have bought out some new soft racks might be worth a look.

Cheers Thommo, definately will do, looks like soft racks it goes. Worse comes to worse guess I'll just buffer out the scratches etc.

Doggie mate, I surf round scarborough and trigg depending on conditions and if I can be bothered driving the extra 100m or so. I'm the bloke on the minimal thats getting pummeled by the waves but turns around and goes again haha. Common sense would say if the waves are dumpers, theres no point but ... meh.

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newguy said...

Cheers Thommo, definately will do, looks like soft racks it goes. Worse comes to worse guess I'll just buffer out the scratches etc.

Doggie mate, I surf round scarborough and trigg depending on conditions and if I can be bothered driving the extra 100m or so. I'm the bloke on the minimal thats getting pummeled by the waves but turns around and goes again haha. Common sense would say if the waves are dumpers, theres no point but ... meh.

So we should bump into each other then NG. I'm on a Katana 7'6" If you see one yell out, after you've finished lauging that is

Lol no worries mate, will see ya out there .com and I'll give you a shout and 'tips'. You could call me the nerd of surfing. Have trolled every piece of info on how to and in my head I can 'surf' but now comes reality and the hard part of heading out there when I'm free and getting as good as I can; I'll keep an eye out for that Katana!