There are a variety of methods to transport your kayak if you do not possess a rack for your roof installed on your SUV or car. The most convenient and safe method to carry your kayak is to buy a universal roof rack. Another option is to make use of pool noodles along with some tie straps.
Here, I’ll offer a few ideas about how to carry a kayak that doesn’t have a roof rack, such as my top recommendation for a soft roof rack system and also how to utilize the pool noodles in the event of a need. If you don’t already own a kayak, though, the inflatable kayak is the most affordable option.
Table of Contents
Transporting a Kayak Without a Roof Rack
Things You’ll Need
Pool Noodles: The noodles, or rather any soft polyurethane tube with a hole in the middle, is perfect for swimming. There are many places where you can purchase pool noodles, or similar items, including outdoor stores, hardware stores, and supermarkets. If you decide to use pool noodles, make sure they are thick, heavy-duty, and large enough to cover the width of your vehicle’s roof rack.
Ratchet straps or cam buckles: Cam buckles or Ratchet straps are lengthy sections made of tough nylon, connected to adjustable buckles with adjustable adjustability that permit them to be put on objects, then ratchet straps to secure the object in the desired position. They can be purchased in automotive and you’ll require at least two to five pairs. Recommended reading a similar article Kayak Rack For Truck.
Step 1. Place and Secure the Pool Noodles on Top of Your Car
The first step in securing the kayak you have purchased is to ensure that the noodles in the pool noodle are appropriate for the shape of the vehicle you are using it for. They must be placed on top of the DIY roof rack, without protruding to the sides. If there’s a large number of noodles protruding, you’ll have to cut them down to make it fit.
The pool noodles are an elastic and sturdy base for the kayak to sit on, and also to shield the DIY roof rack from abrasions that could happen accidentally. Put the pool noodles about every 3 feet, based on the dimensions of your car roof rack. Make sure there is one in the middle, and another at the back and front.
Once the pool noodles are set in position, pull one set of your ratchet strap into the hole in the middle of the noodles. Then, run them then through the interior of your vehicle, through the doorways, and secure the pool noodles in place.
Video: DIY Kayak Rack – SUPER EASY and SUPER CHEAP
Step 2. Lift Your Kayak Onto Your Car
It’s simpler to do this with a partner to help share the lifting so that one of you grabs your kayak’s bow while another can hold the stern and then raise it up. It’s best to position your yak facing the correct upwards by putting the water hull onto the pool noodles.
For those with a curvier body, you may find it more practical to put your vehicle upside-down onto the top of your vehicle in order to be more stable and has a lower chance of it shifting across the road.
Once you have secured the pool noodles and made sure your yak rests on the top You can then lift any part of the kayak in order to adjust the pool noodles and ensure that they’re in line with one another. The yak should be set perpendicularly with the swimming pool noodles in the order you can see that either the bow stern is in the direction of where your vehicle is headed.
Step 3. Secure It With Straps
Two sets of either strap with ratchets spring-loaded straps with buckles that can be adjusted and both the rear and front doors of your car must be wide open (you can get these at auto stores, hardware stores as well as other stores selling outdoor products).
If you have all the doors open on your car, lock the middle of your yak using the ratchet strap on top of the body, ensuring that you can see both ends the opposite ends of your car. Take the straps at both ends and let the straps be pushed through the front doors until they are inside your car.
All doors must remain open until you have completed this step.
Twist them around and make sure you tighten them to ensure snug to fit (but do not overtighten) Be sure that you should keep your buckle to the outside close to your yak so that you can easily tighten it.
The twirling of the straps can help to reduce the noise generated by the wind while driving and may help improve your fuel efficiency. But you shouldn’t need to transport your kayak on a DIY rack for extended periods of time.
Then repeat the process using the second ratchet strap, which is secured to the back of your car doors of yours. Do not tighten the straps too excessively, or else, you could cause damage to the hull of your yak or even that car roof rack on yours. If you’re planning to travel to colder temperatures, keep in mind that the straps that ratchet become looser.
Here’s the step by guide on how to thread the ratchet strap across the kayak:
- Get your front door open.
- The straps are placed over the body
- Take the strap ends and grab them.
- Let two strap ends meet inside your car
- Make sure the buckle is on the outside
- Twist them around and make sure you tighten them
- Unlock your back door
- Then, repeat the process to apply it to your backdoor.
Video – Strapping Your Kayak on Top of Your Car
Top Tips on How to Tie a Kayak Down the Right Way
- Don’t tighten the too much the straps. If the straps put excessive pressure on the kayak, it could result in it bowing, particularly when it’s a hull made of plastic. If you leave your kayak bowing for prolonged periods will permanently alter the hull’s ability to perform in the ocean.
- Climate and heat can alter the straps. If you’re transitioning from a warm to a colder climate or placed your ratchet straps during the downpour for a long period of time, be sure to inspect the straps for loosening prior to driving.
- As time passes the ends of nylon the ratchet straps may break which makes them more difficult to slide across the buckle. This can be fixed with a careful exposure of the damaged part of the strap to a hot flame and, avoiding getting it into contact with your skin by applying pressure to the strap. The melted nylon is simple to re-press back into shape and will allow the straps to be more comfortable to adjust.
Step 4. Tie Down The Bow And Stern
For added security and security while on the road and especially when you’re transporting a kayak that doesn’t have a roof rack great idea to secure to the stern and bow of the kayak to prevent a sudden stop. This can be done using spring-loaded straps or ratchet straps similar to the tie-down strap you’ve been securing your yak using.
Attach the straps to both the back and front carry handles or toggles, and connect each ratchet strap onto a tie-down point under your car using an anchor or a carabiner. Should you own a towbar in the back, it can be a good place to anchor your ratchet or tie-down strap.
On the outside of the vehicle, there should be tow points, or towing eyes designed to help you tow yours. They are great to attach to the front straps and will allow you to finally carry a kayak with no car roof rack.
You may be interested in reading more articles on How To Transport A Kayak In A Truck and How To Kayak With A Dog.
Transport a kayak with Kayak Trailers
If you’ve learned how to carry a kayak without the roof rack, we must learn another trick. What about transporting your kayak and not having to carry it on top of your car? Yes, it is possible by using a kayak trailer.
A few of the reasons people choose to use the kayak trailer over the roof rack is because it’s close in relation to the floor. This means you won’t have to lift your kayak. A further reason to consider is the fact that trailers can hold two kayaks at once. Also, the roof of your car will be able to accommodate additional items to take with you on holiday. In addition, the wind resistance on your vehicle will decrease. Although the use of a high-quality roof rack is very useful these trailers will also give you excellent gas mileage.
Once you’ve picked the appropriate trailer, based on the number of kayaks you’ll need to carry and attached the trailer to the vehicle you are using, then set your kayak trailer. How do you secure a kayak on the trailer? A majority of trailers include straps to allow you to anchor your kayak. Connect the trailer onto your car, and then begin moving your kayak.
Video – How to Safely Transport Fishing Kayaks
Conclusion (How To Tie Down a Kayak Without a Roof Rack)
In the same way that you’ve learned how to transport kayaks without roof racks, you’re better to put roof racks on your vehicle. If there’s no chance of getting racks for the roof of your vehicle, you’re always able to count upon this article. The techniques for transporting kayaks that we’ve described are among the most straightforward you’ll discover.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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