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Car rental for windsurf
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J_McV



Joined: 27 Jul 2000
Posts: 68
Location: Southern Oregon Coast

PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 10:31 am    Post subject: Car rental for windsurf Reply with quote

What car to rent for destination (S.F. Bay area) and two people. Would like to not rent a mini van for two 8' boards and a few wave sails etc.. Considering Rav 4 but don't know if it's too short in cargo area? Would mini van have back seat in the way? Will rental car co. allow roof racks, (prefer not to go this route)? I'd appreciate some thoughts on type of car to rent.
Thanks
Jeff
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kmf



Joined: 02 Apr 2001
Posts: 503

PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 11:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mini van's are perfect. Get one whose seats fold into the floor. All gear will fit inside and there will be room to spare. No racks to deal with, no locks or stolen gear. What's not to like?

KMF
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victor



Joined: 03 Aug 1998
Posts: 581

PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

a mini van would be the best way to go.

if you can find a subaru or other make of station wagon rental with the 1/3-2/3 fold-down back seat it would work.

i carried my gear in a pt cruiser for a few years. two boards, 3-4 sails, masts,booms and tub of wetsuit, etc. it was tight but doable. passenger had to sit in the back seat behind the driver.

a friend with a prius did the same and looked like he had a little more room.

whatever extra, if any, you spend for the mini van might be worth it for the convenience, safety and riding comfort.
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kevinkan



Joined: 07 Jun 2001
Posts: 1661
Location: San Francisco

PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 1:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rav4 should work if it's just you and your gear. I used my GFs Rav4 when my van broke down and was able to fit three boards inside.
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Kevin Kan
Sunset Sailboards, San Francisco CA
http://www.sunsetsailboards.com
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J_McV



Joined: 27 Jul 2000
Posts: 68
Location: Southern Oregon Coast

PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah yeah I know the mini van is going to be the way to go for the two of us. Any idea which brands would have fold down seats and which would have seats that are permanently in the way?
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kevinkan



Joined: 07 Jun 2001
Posts: 1661
Location: San Francisco

PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Grand Caravans/Town & Countrys have stow n go seats for both rows. I believe the Sienna and Odyssey only have fold flat seats in the back. Be careful though, sometimes they put a bench seat in the 2nd row on rental Caravans instead of captains chairs... the bench won't fold into the floor cavities... had this happen to me on a rental van once... was so pissed!
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Kevin Kan
Sunset Sailboards, San Francisco CA
http://www.sunsetsailboards.com
https://www.instagram.com/sunsetsailboards
http://www.facebook.com/sunsetsailboards
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J_McV



Joined: 27 Jul 2000
Posts: 68
Location: Southern Oregon Coast

PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes Kevin that is exactly what I'm concerned about. I know it's not always a sure thing which model you get. Were you able to slide the boards under the middle bench seat anyway? Hertz says it's a Gand Caravan or similar.
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carl



Joined: 25 Feb 1997
Posts: 2674
Location: SF bay area

PostPosted: Fri May 15, 2015 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If the Caravan doesn't have stow-and-go seats, the bench is still able to unlatch and come out. Just un-latch the bench, pivot it sideways and stow it on one side of the van. Then you can stack your boards/sails on the other side. Or the bench back does fold forward and the boards can still go in at an angle. Nothing will fit under the seats, maybe masts.
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J_McV



Joined: 27 Jul 2000
Posts: 68
Location: Southern Oregon Coast

PostPosted: Sat May 16, 2015 12:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

carl wrote:
If the Caravan doesn't have stow-and-go seats, the bench is still able to unlatch and come out. Just un-latch the bench, pivot it sideways and stow it on one side of the van. Then you can stack your boards/sails on the other side. Or the bench back does fold forward and the boards can still go in at an angle. Nothing will fit under the seats, maybe masts.


Great info. here. Thanks Carl
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keycocker



Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 3598

PostPosted: Sat May 16, 2015 1:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rigging a mast rack helps a lot in a grand caravan. You only need two lengths of rope about 12 to 18 ins in a Grand. Just tie the hanging seatbelts on the passenger side in back together. We leave the 2nd row seat behind the drive folded up . It is more useful at the site than the front and still leaves room for five boards and ten sails.
Our caravan is set up that way year around with the gear always inside. And uncrowded room for three.
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