How to Tie a Kayak to a Roof Rack
An easy and cheap way to transport a kayak is to tie it to the roof rack of your vehicle; when done correctly, this can be a safe way to move your kayak without damaging your car. When attempting to tie your kayak to the rack, use caution to avoid compressing the material too tightly.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Assemble the equipment. To tie your kayak to the roof rack, you'll need two straps with ratchet closure and two pieces of rope. If you would like to protect your kayak from scratches or to protect your vehicle from scratches, consider buying a foam cartop kayak-carrier kit, which will come with straps, rope, and two foam blocks to go between your kayak and the roof of your car. Alternatively, you might also use foam yoga blocks or pieces of a foam water noodle.
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2
Position your kayak. Lift your kayak to the top of your vehicle, being careful not to knock your mirrors with one end. Center the boat on the top of the vehicle and be sure that it does not hang off of the back end too far.
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3
Insert foam blocks. If you will be using foam pieces from a kit, your boat will need to be positioned with the cockpit facing up; the same goes for foam yoga blocks. If you will be using sections of a pool noodle, the kayak should be placed on the vehicle with the cockpit down and foam inserted along the rims. Center your foam pieces so that the kayak remains parallel to the roof of the car. If you are using foam blocks, put them inside the roof rack to minimize slipping forward or backward.
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4
Secure straps. Secure one end of a ratcheting strap to the roof rack near the front of the front passenger's side window--many have hooks that can be attached to the rack. Carefully move the end with the ratchet across the kayak, and secure it to the rack on the other side. Use the ratchet to tighten the strap lightly around the kayak. Repeat with the back strap, positioning the strap toward the back edge of the back window. Adjust your kayak and tighten the straps.
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5
Tie down the front and back ends. Using rope, tie the front end of your kayak to your vehicle's fender, and tie the back end to the vehicle's bumper. Tighten the rope just until it feels secure--avoid pulling too tight, at the risk of bending the kayak.
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6
Make final adjustments. Grasp the back end of your kayak and try to move the boat up and down and side to side. It should not move much; if it does, tighten the straps further. A well-tied kayak will be secure even when driving at fast speeds.
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