Transporting Kayaks Long Distances On Roof

Uprights and pads make for stable happy kayaks.

Transporting kayaks long distances on roof.

The way a sea kayak narrows at the ends makes it hard to get a good contact area between your boat and bars. Transporting two sit ons with thule folding uprights the 520 1 kayak stacker from thule offers a simple solution for transporting multiple kayaks on a vehicles roof rack. Compatible with both standard and aerodynamic thule bars the kayak stacker allows multiple kayaks to be transported upright side by side on the roof. Roof rack a crossbar roof rack or sports rack for your vehicle is the best method of transporting a kayak.

Not using a cockpit cover which is properly secured not only lets all kinds of goodness knows what getting blown into your kayak but it s turning your kayak into a long drag chute. You might need extra long tie down straps in order to properly secure them. The best kayak roof racks are adaptable to many different vehicles and they provide an easy way to strap multiple kayaks down. With the boat overhead place the boat so it s directly above the rack then set it down gently on the rack.

Open canoes too unless loaded onto your roof gunwales down which can take up a lot of space don t sit well on a roof rack. If the kayaks are a reasonable width it s possible to place them side by side on top of your roof. October 15 2019 5 43pm 1. Imagine the amount of force driving at 60 miles per hour 96 5kmh is hopefully hitting your rear bulkhead and how much your kayak wants to try being an.

It should be lashed down at each crossbar as well as at the bow and stern to each end of the vehicle. Grab the kayak at each end by the hull not the grab handles and lift the boat overhead. You can employ the use of either a trolley or vehicle to carry your kayak from one point to another. If you re covering a short distance say from your car to the water s edge consider transporting it by hand or simply portaging it with a friend one holding the stern and the other the bow.

Fortunately there are also great roof racks for cars without rails that allow you to transport kayaks over both short or long distances. Greetings i have been using kayaks locally and found that for the most part foam blocks will suffice for local transport however i ve finally decided to get my own boat 17 poly and thought that i need to protect my rather large investment. Assuming you re not traveling long distances and your kayaks are not big then yes you can transport two kayaks with only a soft roof rack. Take care to lift with your legs not your back.

Transporting a kayak doesn t need to be a challenging or stressful moment.