How to Build Your Own Kayak Car Roof Rack

You need a roof rack on your car to transport your kayak to the river. You can buy a ready-made roof rack from a boating supply company, but it's more rewarding and less expensive to build your own roof rack using foam insulation. The foam insulation is a soft material that won't scratch your kayak or the roof of your car.

Things You'll Need

• Foam insulation
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Hacksaw
• Assistant
• 2 tie-down straps with cam buckle

Instructions

1. Measure the width of your car's roof using measuring tape. Use a pencil to mark this measurement on the foam insulation. Measure and mark a line perpendicular to the first line. The line should be 5 inches wide.

2. Cut two strips from the foam insulation using a hacksaw. Each strip should be 5 inches wide.

3. Position the foam strips parallel to each other across the width of your car's roof. Put one piece of insulation near the front of your car, toward your windshield. Put the second piece near the back of the car's roof.

4. Ask a friend to help you lift your kayak with the cockpit facing upward, and place it on the foam strips with the bow of the kayak over the hood of your car.

5. Thread the tie-down straps through the bail out holes in the front of the kayak. Toss the strap into the window of your car and bring it around to the other side of the car. Press the button on the cam buckle and thread the strap through to tighten it.

6. Repeat the procedure in Step 5 to tie down the other end of your kayak, threading the strap through the rear bail out holes.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy tie down straps that are at least 2 feet longer than you need, so you won't come up short.

• Your kayak must be secured tightly to avoid slipping off on bumps and fast turns.

References

• Street Directory: Why a Kayak Roof Rack is the Most Important Piece of Accessory
• Blue Heron Kayaks: Roof Rack Cradles