I dont know how to find things on this forum.I was trying to access surfboard online shops to see what type of tiedowns they sell ..I currently use the cheap blue nylon straps with a black clip from Big W or similar but they are a pain to use & the ends fray & are hard to feed through..Ive been cutting them & burning the ends but they keep refraying & now they are too short..What does everyone use..I have 2 boards on a toyota corolla...tight fit.

I just bought some Neil Pryde tiedowns.
They are like the ezzy ones on the surfsail aus site.
I can recommend them, and the padded bit under the buckle is a great advance for protecting the edges of boards.

Thanks.Some good ones there although some of them didnt show the product very well.I like the idea of the lockable straps..we could use it for the kayaks as well.

These:

Soft roof racks, take up to 80kg(!)
http://www.autobarn.com.au/products/1/10/4213829

If you never-ever actually take the ends out through the end-clip-thingie-me-bobs you don't need to worry about them fraying. Just pull them out all the way, well almost all the way, you will still be able to put the board through. Plus your 360 twist will still be there.

sboardcrazy said...

I dont know how to find things on this forum.I was trying to access surfboard online shops to see what type of tiedowns they sell ..I currently use the cheap blue nylon straps with a black clip from Big W or similar but they are a pain to use & the ends fray & are hard to feed through..Ive been cutting them & burning the ends but they keep refraying & now they are too short..What does everyone use..I have 2 boards on a toyota corolla...tight fit.

You can still use the straps you are using if the only issue is threading the frayed ends through. Buy a hook from a hardware store and thread your strap through the eye of the hook, then hook this over the roof rack. (similar to the hook on the end of the Bunnings tie downs) Then you never have to unthread your straps. Hope that make sense!!

Sue,

similar to the autobarn ones, Andrew at Board Crazy also has these ones for $99:

http://www.boardcrazy.ashop.com.au/p/980861/handirack.html

I have a set (use for hire cars when travelling away) and they work quite well. The board tends to bob up and down on the roof a bit (as the racks have a bit of give in them) but you stop worrying about it after a while. The strap that ties around inside the car can also be a bit annoying if you put it too far forward and it rubs on the top of your head.

lucky you getting to sail during the week - thats where all the wind has been lately!

cheers
james

Hi Sboardcrazy,

A couple of years ago I bought a set of 4 meter SPT tie down straps. They have been working well when needed.

The good points are:

They are lockable
The straps have steel cable built in so are difficult to cut
The straps are heavy so they are not blown around by the wind
They look like they will last forever

The main bad point is the locking mechanism is a bit difficult to use and need a bit of strength to lock. Also you have to be careful and not lose the keys.

Overall I'm really pleased I bought them. I can have a board on some racks at night and be reasonably sure they will be there in the morning. Plus I alway had problems with the wind blowing straps around when trying to secure a board to the roof. These straps won't do that.