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| SPT lockable tie down straps | | Print | |
| Tuesday, 18 September 2007 | ||||
Securing the kayak for peace of mind Stick Protection Technology  Security and peace of mind Although they aren't cheap I reckon they are worth their weight in gold, custom built for people just like myself. Unlike any other tie down strap I'm aware of, these ones are fully lockable and certainly make you feel safer about leaving your car parked in unknown territory with the kayak sitting on top of your roof racks. It's not just the lock that provides the confidence, however, but also the fact that the straps themselves have 2 steel cables running through them. These are fully covered with soft polyester webbing though, so there's no fear of scratching your car with them. So even if someone didn't even notice the locks and tried to slice through them with a knife, they'd only be met with frustration.  This kayak aint going anywhere unless I say so! The locks themselves seem to be pretty robust and thankfully they are plastic coated, which means no nasty paint job scratches. The locks do not need to be engaged for the tie down mechanism to work properly, however. Just like any tie down system worth it's salt, once the straps are pulled through the securing mechanism, those straps aren't going anywhere until the securing device is disengaged. Just feed the straps through, pull tight and it's good to go. In the event that you feel like taking that extra step of security, just put in the key, turn and lock it. Easy, peesy lemon squeezy. SPT tie down straps come in several lengths, from 1.5, 2.5 and 4 metres. Most kayakers will want to go for the 4 meter option I imagine. Whilst they're not terribly cheap (around the $80 mark from Anaconda outdoor recreation retail stores, as well as certain kayak dealers) they're well worth the investment if your kayak is worth significantly more - as most good ones are.  All ready for tomorrow's trip    
19-09-2007 09:37 I bought these when i got my kayak as I thought they were an absolutely sensational idea, which filled a great niche in the market place. However, I've given up out of utter frustration. I find that it can often take me 10 minutes to get the key in the lock to turn. I usually need another person to help so i can use two hands to try and force the straps tight enough for the key to turn in the lock. I dunno... maybe I've just got a dud. 19-09-2007 14:25 Gar, I did find the same issue day 1, but there is an easy workaround. The guys from SPT actually emailed with their take on this and they are right. This is the way to go, in their own words (and I do concur. Give it a go... it works fine for me now): [i]As you are probably aware there is a simple trick to working the buckles effortlessly. A simple set of guidelines that I use - 1) Pull strap tight ( The buckles are difficult to lock when not under tension). 2) Let go of strap end at the same time Pull clasp foward (The buckle now is under tension and the clasp will come forward easily). 3) Hold clasp forward and turn key.[\i] 19-09-2007 15:02 Yep - thats the technique i use. I almost took mine back until i read about how to lock them properly somewhere on the packet they came in.  5 months later they are still going strong. Regards, -Cal 19-09-2007 15:15 ah...... (insert lightbulb above head) can't wait to dust them off and give them another go...' cheers. 19-09-2007 15:18 :-) There ya go Garfish - we all thought the same thing at first, but they do work just as advertised. Ya just need to zig and not zag! 19-09-2007 18:43 Gar, I had to delete that last comment because for some reason it messed with the presentation. So I edited the article and added the link there instead. Thanks for passing that on - cheers mate 20-09-2007 18:44 They look cool. I started stocking them last week but havent got round to trying a set yet. Cheers Scott Only registered users can write comments. Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6 |
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