Yakima EvenKeel User manual

EvenKeel
IMPORTANT WARNING
IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL YAKIMA RACKS AND ACCESSORIES BE PROPERLY AND SECURELY ATTACHED TO YOUR VEHICLE. IMPROPER
ATTACHMENT COULD RESULT IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR
TO OTHERS. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURING THE RACKS AND ACCESSORIES TO YOUR CAR, CHECKING THE ATTACHMENTS
PRIOR TO USE, AND PERIODICALLY INSPECTING THE PRODUCTS FOR ADJUSTMENT, WEAR, AND DAMAGE. THEREFORE, YOU MUST READ AND
UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAUTIONS SUPPLIED WITH YOUR YAKIMA PRODUCT PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OR USE. IF YOU
DO NOT UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND CAUTIONS, OR IF YOU HAVE NO MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE AND ARE NOT THOROUGHLY
FAMILIAR WITH THE INSTALLATION PROCEDURES, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE PRODUCT INSTALLED BY A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER.
MINIMUM CROSSBAR SPREAD: 24”/61CM
PLAIN
STRAP (2X)
BUCKLE
STRAP (2X)
EVENKEEL
SADDLE (4X)
HOOK (2X)
HEAVY DUTY
STRAP (2X)
PAD (4X)
SECURITY
SCREW (4X)
WRENCH (1X)
Plastic Tube (2X)
MAXIMUM BOAT WEIGHT: 80 LBS./36KG

Push clamp
closed against
crossbar.
Tighten the clamp completely.
PUT SADDLE ON CROSSBAR
CLOSE CLAMP TIGHTEN CLAMP
INSTALL THE OTHER SADDLES
Using the same procedure install the other saddles.
Space the saddles based on the width of your boat then
proceed to the next step to make adjustments for the
best fit for you boat.
INSTALL PADS
Open the clamp wide enough
to fit around your crossbars.
Install the four pads. Press
each pad into place. Use one
pad for each saddle.
Place your saddle
onto the crossbar.
OPTIONAL SECURITY MEASURE
To make your EvenKeel less susceptible to
theft install the optional security screws on
each saddle. Be sure you are happy with, and
have tested your saddle installation before
installing security screws.

or rescue bar and pull tight.
TIE DOWN
Strap must be inboard of tower!
Use straps to secure boat
to crossbars. Loop strap
around front crossbar as
shown. Be sure that strap
is INBOARD of tower.
Repeat for rear crossbar.
Thread free end of
strap through buckle
and pull to tighten.
Do not loop strap through saddles! Attach strap to crossbars only!
LOAD BOAT AND ADJUST POSITION
Center boat on saddles.
Adjust saddles as necessary.
The EvenKeel is designed to
flex and conform to your boat
when you tighten the straps.
Keep this in mind as you adjust
position in the next step, and
prepare to tie down your boat. EXAMPLE A
Here the shape of the hull will cause the
saddles to bend up from the inside.
EXAMPLE B
In this example the hull will force the
saddles to bend down from the outside.
KEY FEATURE: FLEXIBLE SADDLES
Attach buckle straps to
bow and stern of boat.
Attach strap to grab handle
Attach hook to plain
strap loop. Hook the strap to a metal
surface on the bumper, tow
loop, or frame hole using hook.

=
Slide plastic tube to protect
vehicle at contact point.
NOTE: Twisting the
strap will help reduce
wind vibration.
Insert end of plain
strap into buckle.
Adjust strap tension by
pulling plain end.
 
pressure to front
and rear straps.
 
any excess strap.
BEFORE DRIVING AWAY
 
 
 
Failure to secure front and rear of long loads to ends of vehicle
can result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Not more than 165
lbs. (75 kg) unless
otherwise noted.
*(Some vehicles will be rated lower than 165 lbs. (75 kg))
RACK THIS PRODUCT (5.4 lbs. / 2.4 kg)
LOAD
(
p
r
e
s
s
t
a
b
)