Rinker 310EC Bicycle Storage Recommendation

warrantyvoider

G'day, all.
Wifey and I are heading out on a boat trip, and we intend to take our bikes.  
The last time we transported our bikes, it was last year on our 280EC.  On that boat, the camper top snapped to the transom above the transom seat, leaving the seat and grab rails exposed.  I simply strapped the bikes to the grab rails and the swim platform, and I was golden.
On the 310, however, The camper enclosure COMPLETELY covers the transom seat and grab rails, making them effectively inaccessible for the purpose of securing the bikes.
Anyhoo, I'm looking to brainstorm some ideas on how to transport these bikes, short of removing the rear section of the camper top during transport.  If any fellow bikers have an idea, I'm all ears.
BTW, one thing I DON'T want to do (if it can be avoided) is travel with the bikes in the cockpit.
Thanks!

Black_Diamond

A lot of people around me just strap them onto the bow rail. 

summerx

I have also seen bikes strapped up ont he bow, to the railing

jme097

Same thing here. Have always seen them strapped to the bow rails

MarkB

Before you change the boat, consider changing the bike:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahon#/media/File:Dahon_Jifo_16_Folding_Bike.jpg

Black_Diamond

Those folding bikes are nice. 

warrantyvoider

MarkB said:

Before you change the boat, consider changing the bike:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahon#/media/File:Dahon_Jifo_16_Folding_Bike.jpg

Those look cool, and they aren't as crazy-expensive as I imagined they'd be.  They don't look like quite what you'd need for single track, though.

warrantyvoider

Black_Diamond said:

A lot of people around me just strap them onto the bow rail. 

Good idea.  I'm going to "test fit" the bikes on my bow rail tomorrow.  
I hope my bow rail is up to the challenge.......

warrantyvoider

Here's what I came up with:  I bought some pipe insulation to protect the bike and bow rail.  Then, I zip-tied the bike to the rail in several strategic places ( I intend to bring a bag of ties with me and cut/replace them as needed).  It seems pretty sturdy, but since I've never done this before, I'm a little nervous.  I'm less concerned about the bikes, and more concerned about the damage that the bikes might cause to the rail or boat.....
The bow rails can handle the load of 80 pounds of bikes in potentially choppy seas, right?p 

Black_Diamond

Looks good. Bet they will be fine. I've seen ratchet straps used too. As long as they can't move much, it is really not much load on the rails. I like the pipe insulation idea!

NavyCTRC

wv,

Down here I have seen people supported using a paddle board going across the rails, three grown women sitting on it.  I have seen bicycles, paddle boards, surf boards, generators and I have even seen a pet cage secured to bow rails.  They are plenty sturdy enough to support a bike.  The weight is supported by the hull, the rail is just keeping it in one place. 

Dream_Inn

I agree with BD.  As long as it doesn't move, it will be fine.  There is more bounce of course in the bow, so restraining it is important.  Looks good and yes, I like the use of the pipe insulation!