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Help please!!!

Help please!!!

9

    Sep 03, 2015#1

    Hi,
    I would really appreciate it if you could answer these questions for me, Having never undertaken canoeing or kayaking I need to collect as much information as possible. These questions are for my final year before I go to uni So I need to collect the information form my project. I am trying to design a new solution to transport canoes or kayaks so need help from you guys as I am pretty clueless! I would be very extremely grateful if you could answer these 7 simple questions as this will help me in the future!
    Questionnaire
    1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?
    2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?
    3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?
    4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?
    5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?
    6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?
    7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?

    Thank you sooo much to anyone who answers these questions!

    59623
    Member
    59623

      Sep 03, 2015#2

      Sorry but I'm too busy right now with this survey:
      http://xkcd.com/1572/

      4,8563
      Member
      4,8563

        Sep 03, 2015#3

        smellyolivee wrote:Hi,
        I would really appreciate it if you could answer these questions for me, Having never undertaken canoeing or kayaking I need to collect as much information as possible. These questions are for my final year before I go to uni So I need to collect the information form my project. I am trying to design a new solution to transport canoes or kayaks so need help from you guys as I am pretty clueless! I would be very extremely grateful if you could answer these 7 simple questions as this will help me in the future!
        Questionnaire
        1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?
        2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?
        3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?
        4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?
        5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?
        6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?
        7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?

        Thank you sooo much to anyone who answers these questions!
        Absolutely in the spirit of trying to be helpful here - but when you say to "design a new solution to transport canoes or kayaks" - do you mean something to move them about in a day-to-day sense, or is this more a question of principles to do with broader travel? Is there a specific need you are looking to fill?

        If it's the former, the easiest way to start to think about this question would probably go along to a local canoe / sailing club and just have a look at the range of issues people face when moving large, mostly smooth, heavy objects around.

        9

          Sep 03, 2015#4

          monkey_pork wrote:Absolutely in the spirit of trying to be helpful here - but when you say to "design a new solution to transport canoes or kayaks" - do you mean something to move them about in a day-to-day sense, or is this more a question of principles to do with broader travel? Is there a specific need you are looking to fill?

          If it's the former, the easiest way to start to think about this question would probably go along to a local canoe / sailing club and just have a look at the range of issues people face when moving large, mostly smooth, heavy objects around.

          Thank you for showing intrest! I would be very thankful for your opinion! Basically this questionaire is the part of the project where i have to prove that there is a problem with whats already on the market e.g. roof racks being too high to lift to etc so by filling out this questionaire hope fully i will find at least a few people who have issues with what already exists!

            Sep 03, 2015#5

            Maybe when you next have a bit of spare time you could give it a go?

            2,365333
            Admin
            2,365333

              Sep 03, 2015#6

              There are quite a few solutions for getting canoes/boats on cars. Other than the manual lift, they all cost. May be worth a few searches on YouTube like "canoe hoist for car"

              73417
              Member
              73417

                Sep 03, 2015#7

                Come on guys! Did you all get out of the wrong side this morning?

                1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?

                Canoeing and sailing.

                2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?

                Not much else, I'm a bit of a chicken.

                3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?

                On average about a day a week.

                4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?

                I'd like to spend as much time as possible. The main limiting factor is "real life"; work etc.

                5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?

                I have a van based car and fit LOTS of stuff in the back of that.
                It's fitted with a roof rack with a roller on the back to make getting things on and off easier.
                i also own a canoe trailer which can carry quite a number of canoes.

                6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?

                The car is rather tall. It can be difficult to get canoes (etc) on and off the top although the roller helps. The biggest problem can be reaching to attach the straps securely.
                the trailer is very good but I don't have a driveway. So, the trailer has to live at a relatives house. This adds time to any trip out. It can also be difficult to find a parking space big enough.

                7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?

                We're a family of four and each of us would like their own canoe paddle, buoyancy aid, change of clothes etc etc. ther's a huge amount of kit to take especially if we want to go near our boat too....that needs the electric outboard and battery etc etc.

                hope that helps.

                robert.

                33445
                Member
                33445

                  Sep 03, 2015#8

                  Questionnaire
                  1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?
                  canoeing fell running and some climbing.
                  2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?
                  sea kayaking and mountaineering.
                  3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?
                  probably about 50 days.
                  4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?
                  my main barrier is having a job.
                  5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?
                  roof rack for canoe. If I had a lighter canoe I might go a bit more often.
                  6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?
                  it's ok, the lighter the canoe the better.
                  7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?
                  Not as long as I can afford an estate car and avoid having children!

                  Thank you sooo much to anyone who answers these questions!

                  good luck with your project. I think you should design a light, cheap, good canoe that's fast and manoeuvrable and while you're at it a holy grail or 2?

                  3,017140
                  Member
                  3,017140

                    Sep 03, 2015#9

                    rbm109 wrote:Come on guys! Did you all get out of the wrong side this morning?
                    Maybe, but either way I would advise the OP to pick a subject he actually knows something about if he actually wants to pass....

                    The questions aren't exactly well designed for finding out what the issues may be with existing solutions either.

                    How hard can it be?

                    9

                      Sep 04, 2015#10

                      JimW wrote:Maybe, but either way I would advise the OP to pick a subject he actually knows something about if he actually wants to pass....

                      The questions aren't exactly well designed for finding out what the issues may be with existing solutions either.
                      Find that a little bit rude! :( the questionaire is the proove there is a problem with the products that are already on the market then once ive completed that section i will go into research where i look at existing solutions and evaluate the prpducts forst hand looking into whats sucessful about it ect. So if yoi vould fill it in then youll be helping me to collect evidence! Thank you!

                        Sep 04, 2015#11

                        rbm109 wrote:Come on guys! Did you all get out of the wrong side this morning?

                        1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?

                        Canoeing and sailing.

                        2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?

                        Not much else, I'm a bit of a chicken.

                        3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?

                        On average about a day a week.

                        4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?

                        I'd like to spend as much time as possible. The main limiting factor is "real life"; work etc.

                        5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?

                        I have a van based car and fit LOTS of stuff in the back of that.
                        It's fitted with a roof rack with a roller on the back to make getting things on and off easier.
                        i also own a canoe trailer which can carry quite a number of canoes.

                        6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?

                        The car is rather tall. It can be difficult to get canoes (etc) on and off the top although the roller helps. The biggest problem can be reaching to attach the straps securely.
                        the trailer is very good but I don't have a driveway. So, the trailer has to live at a relatives house. This adds time to any trip out. It can also be difficult to find a parking space big enough.

                        7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?

                        We're a family of four and each of us would like their own canoe paddle, buoyancy aid, change of clothes etc etc. ther's a huge amount of kit to take especially if we want to go near our boat too....that needs the electric outboard and battery etc etc.

                        hope that helps.

                        robert.
                        Thank you ever so much you have no idea how hard it is to find people who will answer it so thank you for taking time to do so! Sailing! Thats pretty cool what boat!?

                          Sep 04, 2015#12

                          Thanks mate! Greatly appreciated! Ill have a look into the ones youve surgested! Finally i can start my project! Thanks!

                            Sep 04, 2015#13

                            If people could continue to answer these questions as i need to collect lots of results! Thanks!

                            1782
                            Member
                            1782

                              Sep 04, 2015#14

                              Ease of transport is an important factor in participating in canoeing.
                              However, there are plenty of systems around to make it easy to transport a kayak and I suggest you look at these.
                              I have a karitek roof rack which makes loading a very simple operation at low level. Any drawbacks? Well probably only cost, but worth the money to save your back. I doubt you could beat this for ease of use, but the question is can the cost be reduced.
                              I also have a trailer (look up Burtech or Karitek) which again makes loading very easy. Only draw back is that it can be a little harder to park and costs more for parking and tolls etc, but less wind resistance.
                              Thule and Malone also do a lifting system for canoes and kayaks, which you should look at.
                              Is there a need for another system? That depends on what problem you want to solve in relation to the many that are already on the market. I guess if you came up with a very cheap solution that was as good as or better than those available there could be a need.
                              Hope this helps
                              Graham

                              1,683287
                              Contributing Member
                              1,683287

                                Sep 04, 2015#15

                                1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?
                                Canoeing, sea kayaking, mountain biking.

                                2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?

                                I'm happy with the sports I currently have.

                                3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?

                                Approx 60 days/annum.

                                4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?
                                The transportation is not the limiting factor, work/life balance is. Ideally, I would like to be out nearer 100 days/annum.

                                5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?

                                I have a small car, but with the back seats removed, plus a roof rack, I can carry what I need for day trips and weekends away, for myself, bit of a struggle for the whole family.

                                6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?

                                It's not big enough - looking to get a car derived van to increase internal storage (without loosing seats) and offer more roofrack space. This would keep the roof line height low enough for easy loading.

                                7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?
                                On the whole no, I'm happy lifting my canoe, kayak or bikes onto the roof and everything else fits onto the car.
                                Life's too short not to!

                                27K3,045
                                Contributing Member
                                27K3,045

                                  Sep 04, 2015#16

                                  Hey

                                  Not sure how much you're going to learn from these questions and answers, but happy to give you my thoughts:

                                  Questionnaire
                                  1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?

                                  Canoeing, mountain biking, winter mountain walking

                                  2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?

                                  Don't really have time for any more!

                                  3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?

                                  2-3 days a week if possible, so maybe 100 days a year.

                                  4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?

                                  Work stops me doing more, or I would do it most days!

                                  5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?

                                  Estate car with roofrack for the canoe, big boot for all the gear, camping stuff, the bike etc.

                                  6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?

                                  Not really, other than the cost of fuel I find it easy to use.

                                  7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?

                                  No, car is big enough.


                                  Good luck with your research. Might I suggest you focus in a little more on one particular aspect, at the moment your questions are so wide you may struggle to get both responses and any real direction.
                                  SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

                                  Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

                                  Paddle Points - where to paddle

                                  2,90257
                                  Member
                                  2,90257

                                    Sep 04, 2015#17

                                    Mal Grey wrote:Hey

                                    Not sure how much you're going to learn from these questions and answers, but happy to give you my thoughts:

                                    Questionnaire
                                    1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?

                                    Canoeing, mountain biking, winter mountain walking

                                    2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?

                                    Don't really have time for any more!

                                    3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?

                                    2-3 days a week if possible, so maybe 100 days a year.

                                    4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?

                                    Work stops me doing more, or I would do it most days!

                                    5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?

                                    Estate car with roofrack for the canoe, big boot for all the gear, camping stuff, the bike etc.

                                    6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?

                                    Not really, other than the cost of fuel I find it easy to use.

                                    7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?

                                    No, car is big enough.


                                    Good luck with your research. Might I suggest you focus in a little more on one particular aspect, at the moment your questions are so wide you may struggle to get both responses and any real direction.
                                    +1 for what Mal said minus the mountain biking, winter mountain walking
                                    Also reduce the paddling time by 60%

                                    good luck
                                    MarkL
                                    www.canoemassifcentral.com
                                    Open Canoe hire/outfitting in the Massif Central
                                    We will make your trip work

                                    1,6838
                                    Member
                                    1,6838

                                      Sep 04, 2015#18

                                      smellyolivee wrote: Questionnaire
                                      1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?
                                      2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?
                                      3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?
                                      4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?
                                      5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?
                                      6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?
                                      7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?

                                      Thank you sooo much to anyone who answers these questions!
                                      Hi,

                                      Your questions are bad ones. I get a lot of people coming on another forum I use trying to re-invent the wheel for a sixth year project.

                                      The questions you have posted are too broad in both their scope and possible answers which will make it impossible to get any meaningful results or to interpret anything valid from them.

                                      Multiple choice questions will give you quantifiable results you can crunch numbers on. That's why you see a lot of surveys asking you to answer showing your level of agreement witha statement on a sliding scale. You can assign a number weighting to the answer and do stats on the results (so strongly disagree might score -4, agree would score 2, neither agree nor disagree would score 0).

                                      You also need to be tighter in your definitions and what you're looking for. The way I currently canoe, I'd call it a leisure activity, not an adventure sport so I'd be giving a zero response to most of your questions. The way others canoe is definatley adventurous.

                                      So. To get anything meaningful from your questions you need to ask questions which are a) Specific and b) Quantifiable.

                                      "If it cannot be expressed in numbers, it is not science, it's an oppinion." Robert Heinlein.
                                      "I'm not getting in a boat which is DESIGNED to go upside down."

                                      5
                                      Member
                                      5

                                        Sep 04, 2015#19

                                        Questionnaire
                                        1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?
                                        Canoeing, Kayaking, White water rafting, Climbing, Ice climbing, winter mountaineering, and Mountain biking.
                                        2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?
                                        Base Jumping
                                        3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?
                                        In terms of days at least 150
                                        4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?
                                        Time constraints / cost are my only limits not transporting myself or kit.
                                        5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?
                                        Large Mercedes 4x4 (lifestyle vehicle) carries most things, tow bar bike rack for MTB very quick easy solution. Climbing, Camping gear fits in the boot. Roof bars for Canoe / Kayak, principle difficulty is the weight of a Canadian canoe and lifting it onto the roof bars on my own.
                                        6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?
                                        Some mechanism / solution for lifting the Canadian onto the roof bars would be good, there a number on the market this would be a nice to have rather than a requirement. When I get older and less able to lift the boat onto the roof it might become a requirement.
                                        7. Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place i.e. multiple pieces of equipment at a time?
                                        No it all fits in the 4X4 and there is little crossover between sports, the MTB and the Canoe both fit. Due to the differing weather requirements I don’t generally have to carry the boat and the ice climbing gear together for example.

                                        cheers
                                        Mark

                                        1,352478
                                        Contributing Member
                                        1,352478

                                          Sep 04, 2015#20

                                          1) canoeing, kayaking, hill walking, climbing, mountain biking, a bit of sailing, occasional winter climbing in Scotland/Lakes
                                          2) I've always fancied a go at kite surfing, but I dont really have the time and live too far from the coast to make the investment in kit worthwhile.
                                          3) on average 2 days a week - 100 days a year
                                          4) catch-22! work stops me playing, but is necessary to fund it! (Plus family commitments as Dad's taxi, but fortunately the kids do paddle and climb as well...)
                                          5) medium-sized 4X4 and a 5' box trailer. 1-2 Canadian's go on the car roof, up to 3 kayaks on the trailer. Other gear in the boot or if the trailer is being used, in that. If biking, the bike goes on the roof. Climbing gear fits in a rucksack - just gets thrown in the car.
                                          6) not really - can car-top both canadians by myself. Bike racks could be better designed, but mine are quite old, so there may be better ones out there now.
                                          7) if I took ALL of it, then yes, but its very rare these days I go for a trip when I will be canoeing, kayaking, climbing and biking. I can transport all the family's boats in one go using roof rack and trailer, and could just about get a bike onto the trailer as well if I really wanted to. The biggest issue I have is parking with the trailer.

                                          As others have said, I'm not sure the questions will give you the answers you need - transporting canoes is relatively easy for most car owners once the boat is on the roof. The commonest issues are around manual handling - lifting the boat on and off the roof and getting it to and from the water.

                                          5,320577
                                          Member
                                          5,320577

                                            Sep 04, 2015#21

                                            Questionnaire/Answers
                                            1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?
                                            Depends on your definition of adventure sports - by my definition - Canoeing & Kayaking
                                            2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?
                                            Maybe take up diving (sub-aqua) again.
                                            3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?
                                            ~3 days/week on average
                                            4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?
                                            Easier solution to which difficulty ... if it helps ease putting boats on the car it'll make no difference ... free car fuel would make a big difference both in terms of days out and distance I'd travel.
                                            5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?
                                            Depends what boat(s) I'm taking, to where, with whom and the anticipated difficulty of portaging the boat at the put-in, en-route and at the get out.
                                            Boat(s) on roofrack or in the case of smaller kayaks and a small canoe I might get them in the car
                                            Kit - In the car
                                            Transport solution for wet kit (after paddle etc) - stuff it in the small canoe or a large plastic box in the car so as to keep remaining kit & the car dry.
                                            Putting boats on roof-rack - car has up/down suspension so can be lowered (a bit) to help with this - getting help is good, though not essential, whatever the boat. Tie downs - cam (not ratchet) straps and or rope
                                            Portage solutions en-route, may take canoe trolley to wheel canoe plus kit along fairly easily, depends on terrain for this to work ... otherwise carry/slide depending on surface & environmental concerns
                                            6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?
                                            I would like a smaller car for better fuel economy, easier to park etc ... but it needs to have more space inside than my largish estate ... tough ask I know.
                                            Limited to number of boats/amount of kit/passengers I can transport, especially if it's a multi-day camping trip
                                            Boat security is an issue too ... I know of a few that have been stolen from roof-racks ... my canoe usually has 2 heavy duty motorcycle security cables in place as insurance.
                                            7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?
                                            Not really - a good compartmentalised car tidy might assist in finding the right bits of kit quickly (rather than where have I put that particular dry bag now?
                                            One aspect of canoe/kayak transportation is shuttling - For a one way (i.e. down a section of river) trip, the group will have to organanise getting all the boats/kit to their put-in and for transport to be available at the get out, so a bit of moving about of cars (and boats on cars/trailers) might be needed before the paddle can get underway.

                                            Hope this helps.
                                            DCUK
                                            Can't ytpe or roopf read

                                            4763
                                            Member
                                            4763

                                              Sep 04, 2015#22

                                              Answers to questionnaire
                                              1. What adventure sports do you currently undertake?
                                              Walking, kayaking and canoeing.
                                              2. What adventure sports would you undertake if you were given the opportunity?
                                              More of the above, but in more exotic locations.
                                              3. How much time do you spend on adventure sports activities per year?
                                              About 26 days
                                              4. How often would you like to spend on adventure sports if an easier solution is available?
                                              About the same time
                                              5. How do you currently transport your sports equipment? What solutions do you use to do so?
                                              On top of a small estate car
                                              6. Is there an issues with the current solution you own?
                                              The weight of the canoe and time spent maintaining the car
                                              7.Do you have an issue with transporting all your adventure sports equipment from place to place ie multiple pieces of equipment at a time?
                                              If I forget to take the wet gear out, the wetsuit quickly becomes a biological hazard. Though a wonderful anti theft device.

                                              3,017140
                                              Member
                                              3,017140

                                                Sep 04, 2015#23

                                                smellyolivee wrote:Find that a little bit rude! :( the questionaire is the proove there is a problem with the products that are already on the market then once ive completed that section i will go into research where i look at existing solutions and evaluate the prpducts forst hand looking into whats sucessful about it ect. So if yoi vould fill it in then youll be helping me to collect evidence! Thank you!
                                                You would be better off if you already knew about all the different boat transport solutions and were asking specific questions about problems people might have with them, things like how much do each of your boats weigh? Does the weight constitute a problem when lifting the boat onto the roof rack? for each boat do you find it works well with plain roof bars, same Q with uprights, same Q with J bars, same Q with V bars etc. etc.
                                                At least look up Karitek website and see the varous solutions they already have.

                                                I did A-level technology at a time when the exam board were thinking about dropping it because it was too hard, so I understand you need to research to find a real problem rather than just one you perceive, but I still think it is good advice to do that research in an area you already have some familiarity with, so that you can ask the right questions and understand the answers.

                                                1. WW Kayaking, Freestyle Kayaking, Sea Kayaking, Canoe Polo (which is kayaking), Slalom Kayaking, Slalom Canoeing, WW Canoeing (OC1 and trad), FW Canoeing, Kite Buggy Racing. There are others I don't have time to keep up with like Kitesurfing, Mountain Biking and Hillwalking.
                                                2. I reckon I'm doing them all.
                                                3. Lots, at least half my weekends and 2 or 3 evenings per week
                                                4. Not sure I understand he question, do you mean if I didn't have a day job?
                                                5. By car or motorhome. Boats are generally transported on the roof rack of the car, either flat, or against uprights, or I built a custom cradle to fit my new sea kayak because the bar spacing is not very good for it. The buggy is part dismantled and goes in the back of the car with the seats folded down - I have enough room to easily take both rear axles and 2 complete sets of wheels as well as 2 complete sets of race kites, toolbox, beach tent, clothing, food and camping equipment for a weekend away. I can usually get 3 sets of wheels in if I pack it carefully but most venues I only need to take 2 for. In the motorhome, everything fits inside, I still have to part dismantle the buggy though because the rear axle with wheels on is too wide to wheel straight in.
                                                6. Yes, the motorhome needs a lot more welding underneath before I can get it through an MOT and take it off SORN.
                                                7. Not really, if I don't take any passengers. I can take more in the motorhome than in the car, but since boats go on the roof and most of the clothing I use is the same I can take several boats at the same time as the buggy in the car.

                                                I don't really see how questions 1, 2, 3, and 4 are relevant to what you are intending to design....

                                                There is a world of difference between the problems I have to overcome transporting a 10kg slalom or polo boat compared to transporting a 35kg open canoe, or the problems transporting a 20kg sea kayak, or the problems transporting any of my PE boats (17-30kg each at a guess).
                                                For the slalom/polo boats lifting them onto the rack is easy, I do it one handed, but strapping them down in a way that doesn't crush the composite hull or deck, but makes them secure to travel on the motorway requires care.
                                                For the lightweight sea kayak (most are a lot more than 20kg) the problem was that it was overhanging the bars too much and in danger of cracking due to fliexing due to carrying, also none of the available J-bars or cradles fitted it very well, so I made my own cradle around the boat to support it further out and support the hull evenly at each cradle. I do need two hands to lift it onto the roof, but it is still very easy.
                                                For all my PE boats there really aren't any problems, they can go on any way round or up, the straps can be cranked down until the hulls flex making them secure and they will pop back to shape when I take them off. Some of them are getting a bit weighty for lifting up but they are small enough to manage.
                                                For my open canoe the weight and size create challenges - I carry it on the yoke until I am level with the bars and then shimmy one gunwale onto the bars and slide it accross taking my head out of the way as I go. My car is quite old and quite low as a result, modern cars have higher roof line, which means higher rack which means other people probably can't use this technique.

                                                So there are a number of possible transport problems that vary depending on exactly what kind of boat people are trying to transport, and how many people are trying to lift them onto the car (I do all mine on my own, some people may work in pairs or groups finding alternative solutions through manpower....). Your questions aren't well worded to get the kind of level of response you need to draw up your design brief.

                                                You could probably gather quite enough data on just transporting kayaks or just transporting canoes, your question about carrying lots of different combinations of activity kit could get really wide - far too much to deal with!

                                                How hard can it be?

                                                182
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                                                182

                                                  Sep 04, 2015#24

                                                  I hope you have gained a broader view of the situation from sotp, ( inventing the perfect mouse trap is never-ending ;-))
                                                  Good luck in your studies be it design, marketing , research et al !
                                                  Note: Questions are a start, leg-work more convincing !

                                                  1,24311
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                                                    Sep 04, 2015#25

                                                    Can I suggest setting a survey up on survey monkey? Easier for people to fill it in especially as I browse on my phone.

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                                                      Sep 06, 2015#26

                                                      Thank you to everyone who has already taken my survey I have taken your suggestion and created a survey on survey monkey so if people could start filling in the questionnaire on their I would very grateful! And thanks again to everyone who already has!
                                                      Heres the link to the survey:
                                                      https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VY3GBW5
                                                      THANK YOU!!!! :)

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                                                        Sep 06, 2015#27

                                                        Completed :D

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                                                          Sep 06, 2015#28

                                                          jamiemagee wrote:Completed :D
                                                          Thankyou!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

                                                          73417
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                                                          73417

                                                            Sep 06, 2015#29

                                                            Survey money is cool! I used it myself several times :-) I've answered your questions!

                                                            1,462213
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                                                              Sep 07, 2015#30

                                                              OP, I've just come out of a marketing meeting, where we discussed market opportunities for a niche food brand and the setting up of focus groups to test the product, marketing strategy and branding. If you want to try 'product design', I suggest that you're approaching this in the wrong way (probably your teacher's fault for not briefing you properly). You should get off your computer and spend next weekend at a canoeing / kayaking venue, or venues, and actually witness for yourself what it is you're trying to understand. Watch, take reference photos (ask first) and I'm sure people will be happy to talk to you. (Look out for the SoTP beaver stickers and mention this thread.) Good luck with your project. :D
                                                              I'm at that difficult age... somewhere between birth and death.

                                                              2,447236
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                                                              2,447236

                                                                Sep 07, 2015#31

                                                                Done.
                                                                Survey Monkey questions are much more objective.

                                                                Good luck with your investigation and let us know the outcome.
                                                                Bootstrap SMpirate
                                                                There's no such thing as inclement weather - you're just incorrectly dressed SMopencanoe

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                                                                  Sep 07, 2015#32

                                                                  PS. Just looked at Survey Monkey... that questionnaire is not designed to give you the qualitative information you need for this sort of project. Trust me.
                                                                  I'm at that difficult age... somewhere between birth and death.

                                                                  89
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                                                                  89

                                                                    Sep 07, 2015#33

                                                                    I strongly agree with Duck Feet's comments.

                                                                    Your Survey Monkey survey read to me like it was leading us to say we don't have room for all of our stuff on/in our cars.

                                                                    If you're working on this sort of thing, please design a way that I can:
                                                                    1. get to the canoe I want to take from my garage and then get just that canoe out without it hitting one of the other canoes, a bike, or a close family member;
                                                                    2. take a rigid 16' canoe on a train.

                                                                    Gratefully, Gavin

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                                                                      Sep 07, 2015#34

                                                                      That's because I suspect, like most of the other people I see doing these assignments, they have already come up with a design and are now trying to come up with a problem to use it for.

                                                                      The number of people on the motorcycle forum I use who come on wanting to find a reason to fit a head up display in a motorcycle helmet is unbelievable. I usually suggest they should invent a visor that doesn't steam-up in the wet to put it in first.

                                                                      Mark my words, the OP has already decided what he/she wants to "design" and is now filling in the paperwork to show it's needed. I suspect a combined bike/canoe rack from the forums the initial "survey" has been posted on.

                                                                      Here's one for you then OP. One of the biggest problems with bicycles, although apparently not so much canoes but it will be relevant, on top of a car is aerodynamics. A bike rack and bicycles significantly increases the aerodynamic drag on a vehicle to the point where if you were thinking of driving to the South of France from the UK, it would probably work out cheaper to hire bikes once you arrive than put fuel in the vehicle to take your own.

                                                                      So think about that. If you can improve the aerodynamics of carrying bicycles/boats on a car roof, you'll have something that has a quantifiable benefit in terms of both cost and environmental impact. You can sell that.
                                                                      "I'm not getting in a boat which is DESIGNED to go upside down."

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                                                                        Sep 07, 2015#35

                                                                        I suspect that OPs teachers don't know the first thing about design, ergonomics (ergo what???) and marketing, so he or she is being badly advised. If I were a teacher I'd ask the student to pick a subject that they're interested in, or that might help a family member, or be socially useful (like, design some utensils for an arthritic granny)... or for me, a guitar that plays itself!!!

                                                                        But you might be right stinkwheel, this sounds like a solution looking for a problem.

                                                                        PS. Don't mind us talking across you OP - we're only trying to help.
                                                                        I'm at that difficult age... somewhere between birth and death.

                                                                        3,017140
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                                                                        3,017140

                                                                          Sep 07, 2015#36

                                                                          That is quite a common problem, a pupil will have an idea, and then needs to gather data that points to that idea being a solution, so that they can then brainstorm some other possible solutions and make arguments about why to select the solution they wanted to make. I'm sure I had several false starts like that myself.

                                                                          I think my main A-level project was the bass tremolo - I used to play bass and loved bass solos like Cliff's on Anaesthasia, and of course Big Bottom where all of Spinal Tap play bass, and had grand visions of one day being good enough for that sort of thing, only I had noticed basses don't have whammy bars......
                                                                          I obviously made a pretty good job of brainstorming and selecting a solution - what I came up with was definitely not something I would have thought of in advance - I ended up building the bridge saddle as a cam with a groove for the string (didn't build an entire bass, just a test rig with a single string, E probably), so ended up having to learn how to draw and mill a cam (can kids even use a milling machine in class these days?) which of course I have forgotten now but I could re-learn dead quick if I needed to. I made the worlds biggest tuning peg, but I can't remember if I turned the threads for the worm or used a die, or used some off the shelf parts.
                                                                          The objective conclusion of course was that yes you could build a tremolo bridge for a bass and it could work, but it would be quite a handful to actually use! I needed quite a heavy spring to resist the bass string tension so the action was not exactly light.... :)

                                                                          But that's not a bad thing for a project - if you end up with a partial success and highlight possible improvements in the conclusion, that can (or should) go down well. You can probably do pretty well if you can critique a complete failure well enough.

                                                                          How hard can it be?

                                                                          183
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                                                                          183

                                                                            Sep 07, 2015#37

                                                                            hi hope you learn to spell, and put a meaningful sentence together before you go to university. It so helps in later life.

                                                                            738
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                                                                            738

                                                                              Sep 07, 2015#38

                                                                              Done. Good luck!!

                                                                              Im sure you will get a good response.

                                                                              I haven't noticed any spelling issues but if I had it makes no difference, it's the content that counts :)

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                                                                                Sep 07, 2015#39

                                                                                woodisgood wrote: hi hope you learn to spell, and...
                                                                                Pot, kettle, black! :D Sorry woodisgood, 'hi' couldn't resist.
                                                                                I'm at that difficult age... somewhere between birth and death.

                                                                                33445
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                                                                                33445

                                                                                  Sep 07, 2015#40

                                                                                  woodisgood wrote:hi hope you learn to spell, and put a meaningful sentence together before you go to university. It so helps in later life.
                                                                                  The beginning of this sentence is missing a capital letter and probably a pronoun. I question the need for the comma as well.

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