Product Description

A simple ratchet system lets you do away with bungee cords and time consuming knots

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44048 in Sports & Outdoors
• Size: One Size
• Color: One Color
• Brand: Thule
• Model: 855
• Released on: 2007-08-04

Features

• Super tough ratchet does all the work so you don't have to
• Steel hooks attach easily to boat and vehicle
• Includes 2 ratchets, 13 feet polypropylene rope, steel hooks and attachment strap
• Bow and Stern tie down required when carrying kayaks or canoes
• Comes with 2 complete ratchet assemblies, so you can get started right away

Customer Reviews

Thule 855 Quick Draw Boat Bow/Stern Tie Down Rachets
These are great! Before I purchased the quick draw tie downs - I tried using straps for bow and stern anchoring. I found the straps very difficult to use. The tie downs are very easy to use even for a novice. They are also much better in your field of vision that wider straps. These are definitely worth the investment!

They're nice but there are cheaper options
I looked at these but ended up buying a pair of rope cinchers from Harbor Freight for under $10. They work just as well and since they are one piece heavy plastic with no moving parts there's nothing to wear out. Of course Harbor Freight also sells a quick draw pulley almost identical to the Thule for less money.

Passed the test
I accidentally put these quick draw tie down rachets to the test and they definitely passed. The hardware (metal hook and rachet on the other end) were pushed to the brink and didn't break.

I took my kayak off the top of my car and threw the two Thule draw lines forward ahead of the car. They were still hooked to the undercarriage, but my plan was to take care of that once I had taken the kayak of the roof. Moved the kayak, jumped in the Element and backed up 50 feet or so. The lines were still in front of me, attached to the car. Why I didn't see them, I don't know. Then I pulled forward. That's when pushed the two Thule lines to the limit. Within seconds I heard a horrible grind sound and then a snap. Stopped the car and realized what I had done. One line was snapped, but the other was fine. The hardware (hooks and rachets) were all still completely functional, although a little scuffed. The weakest link was the one that broke - one of the fabric lines - after being strained by the pull of a few thousand pound vehicle.

That the hardware stood up to such stress indicates to me that this set can take a real beating. As for the one cord that broke, something had to give. And in a real world situation (not one about stupidity, but the weight of just a kayak) the only way a line might break would be after it was obviously aged and weakened.

Besides that, these are a breeze to use and you can secure your kayak to your vehicle really fast.