Just got back from a short but great trip on the River Wye – The Landy coped perfectly well when carrying the 16ft Canadian “open canoe”. The canoe was strapped to the Rollbar and then to the rear hoop and then front and rear with ropes to the towbar and front tubular bumper: Rock solid and it’s a very aerodynamic shape so in fact made the Defender Hicap somewhat more stable in a straighline! It sat directly over the army issue desert tarp cover I use on the back hoops – I use this instead of the standard canvas or PVC hoods – I prefer this as it’s open to the elements but still provides enough cover even in heavy rain. It’s also easy to remove in seconds with a system of loops and ties using paracord – the real stuff taken from an army parachute which is incredibly strong, not the fake ‘paracord’ you can buy – important as this needs to take some strain at 50-60mph!

The hicap pickup flat bed obviously had more than enough room for any gear and paddles, life vests and my australian ‘swag’ bedroll (whose native home is in the back if a pickup (or “Ute” as the aussies call them…) of course.

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