How to Make a Homemade Surf Car Rack
Surfboards are much too large to fit in a car, and some don't even fit in the back of a pickup truck. The best way to transport a surfboard is by tying it down to a roof rack. You can make a cheap one for your surfboard without drilling into your car. In fact, nothing about this surfboard roof rack is permanent. You can remove it easily, and even put it on a friend's car.
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Things You'll Need
- 6 feet of parachute cord
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Lighter
- 2 ratchet tie-downs
Instructions
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1
Pull the parachute cord straight, and measure 6 feet with a tape measure. Mark the measurement, and cut the cord with scissors. Cut the 6-foot piece in half, making two 3-foot pieces.
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2
Seal the frayed ends of the cord, by melting them over the flame of a lighter. Hold the end over the flame for a brief moment, blow on the end and twist the melted frays together.
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3
Lay a piece of cord down on the roof of the vehicle, spanning between the approximate middle of each front window. Do the same with the back windows.
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4
Lay the surfboard upside down on the roof, with the front point facing forward, across the parachute cords.
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5
Open both front doors. Throw a ratchet tie down over the surfboard and the front parachute cord. Pull the tie-down into the vehicle, one end through each of the open front doors. Secure it by threading the open end of the tie-down through the ratchet mechanism and cranking the ratchet with your hand. Repeat with another tie-down on the rear doors.
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6
Tie the parachute cords to the ratchet tie-downs. Tie them tight with half hitches on each side of the board -- just where the board and ratchet tie-downs meet. The chord is stretchy, so tie one side down, then go to the other side, stretch the chord firmly and tie the other side down.
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Tips & Warnings
Parachute cord is stretchy, but it may scratch the roof of your car with repeated use. Slide a hand towel or rubber mat under the parachute cord, to avoid scratches.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
