How to Transport an Ocean Kayak on a Vehicle

Ocean kayaking is a lot of fun and an excellent way to keep fit. However, one of the most annoying things about ocean kayaking is simply transporting the kayak---getting it up on the roof of the vehicle and securing it in place so that you don't have any accidents. Luckily, once you have a good kayak transport system in place, be it a roof rack or a soft rack, and have had some practice at tying down your kayak, transporting it becomes easy.

Things You'll Need

• Roof rack or kayak blocks
• Cam-buckle tie-down straps

Instructions

1. Place kayak blocks on your vehicle's roof if it doesn't have a rack. You can purchase kayak blocks at outdoor recreational stores, or you can make your own cheaply. The foam material that boogie boards are made from is very similar to kayak blocks. To make your blocks, simply cut two strips approximately 18 inches x 6 inches out of an old boogie board. Place your kayak blocks on the roof, one at the front and one at the back.

2. Position the kayak on the roof of the vehicle. Depending on whether your ocean kayak is a single-person or two-person kayak, you may need to enlist help for this. Lift the kayak up and place it down on top of your vehicle. Generally, it's a good idea to place the kayak on the vehicle upside down so that the hull is facing up, although this may vary depending on the way your ocean kayak is shaped, and the way your roof rack is set up.

3. Secure the kayak to the vehicle using cam-buckle tie-down straps. You'll need two straps: one for the front and one for the back. Loop one strap through the scupper holes at one end of the kayak, then pass it through the car doors and secure using the cam buckle. Don't worry about tightening the straps just yet. Do the same at the other end of the kayak. Note that if you have a rack, instead of passing the straps through the vehicle, you can simply secure the straps to the rack.

4. Tighten tie-down straps. To do this, push down on the button on the cam buckle to pull more of the strap through the buckle and tighten the straps. Be careful not to over-tighten, as you could make a dent in your car. Finally, tie off any excess strap so that you don't have the strap ends flapping about while you are driving.

Tips & Warnings

• If transporting on a soft-top Jeep, you don't need a rack; you can simply take the top down on the roof.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish