Has anyone had experience with roof pods for carrying/storing windsurfing sails/masts.
I am considering the Thule alpine 700 touring pod, which should allow me to put boards on the racks beside the pod. Specs state it will take 220cm long skis, so I'm thinking a 430 mast and 8.0m sail should fit in length. 460 and 490 masts a bit of a problem thought
Any thoughts/experience/insight greatly appreciated.
Clarence
Not a pod but I ordered the following from UK - can't remember which shop and pretty happy with it.
windsurfmarket.com/product/prolimit_aero_rigbag/142
I have the wave version i.e. Masts up to 430 and sails up to 5.6.... Can fit 3masts, 4 sails, 1-2 booms.
Pros: cheaper, easier to store when not used, narrow enough to fit a board beside it, tie down loops on the side so the sails are not crushed, can be used for air travel.
Cons: not lockable or as safe as a pod, not as waterproof as a pod.
Gun sails combi bag. Purchased about 4 years ago for long trips when family has to fit INSIDE car. Obviously not a hard, water proof pod, but I'd recommend. Three masts in separate bag underneath, then sail bag clips on top, can take four sails, easily. Done several trips, Brisbane to Melbourne, and shorter ones around SE Qld and Northern NSW, and very happy, no problem.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gun-Sails-Combi-Bag-Brilliant-Combined-Sail-and-Gear-Bag-/360470454246
Might be an Aussie distributer, but not sure. Leaves enough room for a sup plus two other boards on top.
whatever you choose, just make sure it takes your longest mast
or your longest mast goes in your vehicle
buddy has a Thule and is upset his 8.5 and 490 don't fit 
i have a sail bag that is a PITA to put on the roof rack
as stated - only when family needs to be in vehicle too !!
Select to expand quoteclarence said..
Has anyone had experience with roof pods for carrying/storing windsurfing sails/masts.
I am considering the Thule alpine 700 touring pod, which should allow me to put boards on the racks beside the pod. Specs state it will take 220cm long skis, so I'm thinking a 430 mast and 8.0m sail should fit in length. 460 and 490 masts a bit of a problem thought
Any thoughts/experience/insight greatly appreciated.
Clarence
Please measure each of your sails lenght while the sailbag. It will give you an answer how long your sail is rolled up. Some sails tend to get 10 to 20 cm's longer when you roll them up. It depends on cambers and how the battens are placed in the sail
Also measure the longest part of your mast. People tend to forget the ferule. A 460 mast in half is 230 but the ferule adds another 20 cm's.
Mast pods are easy to make out of PVC drainage pipe, glued on cap at one end, screw on cap at the other, with a lockable rod drilled thru it, or a lockable hinge strap along the side of the cap.
Just mount it next to the Thule pod, choose the desired pipe size to fit your needs, fairly common here in the U.S.
