Kayaking is a fun and exciting activity. If you’ve ever gone kayaking before, you’ll know what the most challenging part of the adventure is: getting your kayak to the water.
In the United States, 76 percent of kayak fishermen use their roof rack to transport their craft. Whether you’re tackling the task alone or you’ve got some help, there are various ways to carry it to its destination. Once you master the technique, it isn’t that difficult.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss how to carry and place a kayak on a vehicle. We’ll also explain, in detail, how to tie it down to your vehicle.
How to Carry a Kayak
You’ll most likely have to lift and carry your kayak at some point, whether it’s to transport the kayak to your vehicle or to take it down to the water.
Carrying a Kayak Alone
Most kayaks can be carried alone. Unless it’s a double kayak or particularly heavy one, you should be able to lift it and place it over your shoulders.
Here’s a safe and easy method to carry a kayak on your own:
1. Grab the kayak with both hands by the cockpit.
2. Squat, tilt the craft and place it flat over your knees.
3. Place one shoulder inside the cockpit, towards the center. If not centered, your kayak will tend to tilt backward or inwards.
4. Stand up, locking your shoulder inside the cockpit.
5. Using your free shoulder and hand, hold the cockpit edge to keep a good balance.
If your shoulders aren’t naturally padded, you can wear your life jacket to provide some extra support.
A Two-Person Carrying Technique
Having some help should make the process a breeze. Most kayaks come with handles; one located at the bow and the other one at the rear.
Grab one of the handles. Your partner will grab the other one. Lift the kayak to bring it to its destination.
If you’re two persons carrying two kayaks, there will be no fighting on who’s taking the rear or the bow. Both will get to face and walk forward.
Grab both bow handles. Your partner will lift both rear handles. Or vice versa.
Using a Cart
If you need a little extra assistance, carts can be a useful tool to keep handy.
Simply place the kayak on the cart. The wheels will make it easy to move the kayak around.
Most carts can be folded for convenient storage. They can also be used to store your kayak when not in use.
The best carts come with padding to avoid scratches. They should also be made of corrosion-resistant material to prevent rust.
Getting Your Car Ready
Before lifting your kayak, you’ll need to ensure your car is ready, and all the needed accessories are at hand.
Setting Up Your Roof for Success
You don’t want to place your kayak directly on your car’s roof. It wouldn’t be stable and will damage the paint.
Here are some excellent options:
Using Foam Blocks
For shorter trips, foam blocks might be enough to transport your kayak. Some cars, such as SUVs, already come with built-in side rails. Foam blocks can be easily clipped to the rails without any added equipment needed.
They’re quite inexpensive and easy to install. However, they aren’t as durable as a set of racks. They only lift your kayak a few inches up and are more likely to damage your car’s roof than other mounting systems.
Roof Crossbars
For regular cars, or when planning a longer trip, we recommend installing crossbars to attach your kayak.
There are different types of crossbars. Some attach to existing vehicle’s side rails, while others can fit any flat roof. Before purchasing one, ensure that it fits your car model.
Roof Padding
If the crossbars don’t already come with pads, you’ll also want to add some padding to them. This will avoid scratching your kayak. It will also make your job easier if you’re lifting the craft from the rear, on your own.
Crossbar Attachments
Many kayak owners add attachments to the crossbars. J-cradles or saddles are the most popular.
Specifically conceived for kayaks, some will even enable you to load two kayaks.
In this case, extra padding isn’t necessary as the cradles often come with the needed cushioning.
Lifting System
If you’ve opted for a lifting system, attach it over your crossbars. We’ll expand more on lifting systems further down.
Accessories to Consider
If your mounting system doesn’t include them already, you’ll need straps to safely hold your kayak to the racks. I’d recommend getting a pair of two straps, with a minimum length of 12 feet.
In addition to the straps, transporting your kayak safely will also require the use of ropes. These should be water-resistant and shouldn’t be stretchable. You’ll need one rope to attach to the bow and another one to attach to the rear of your kayak.
Are you planning to drive a long distance and might stop for a coffee break? Investing in a pair of locking straps might be a good investment. These locks can only be removed using a key, making your cargo safe until your return.
For longer trips, I’d recommend purchasing a locking cable. They make thieves’ job much harder.
Placing Your Kayak on a Vehicle
Before getting started, it might be a good idea to put some thought into how you’ll lift your kayak onto your car’s roof. There a few options available here.
Dual Lift
Ideally, you’ll want to ask a friend or a neighbor for a little help. Each person picks up one side of the watercraft, to lift it over their head. Then, gently place it over the racks you’ve just installed.
Finding a lifting body isn’t always possible. Getting your kayak over your vehicle on your own is, however, still doable.
Solo Lift
Some of you might be strong and tall enough to lift your kayak and simply place it over the racks. Luckily, for the rest of us, other alternatives are available.
Using a Lifting System
A lifting system often comes with racks. They might be the ideal solution when lifting solo and can relieve about 40 pounds of the overall kayak weight.
You’ll load the kayak at your waist level, on the side of your vehicle. Then gently lift the rack and your kayak to the roof.
Lifting racks have a maximum loading capacity. If you’re planning to purchase one, ensure that it will be able to handle your kayak’s weight and width.
Most come at an impressive price and might save both your car from scratches and your back from injuries.
Using a Trailer
If you’re comfortable driving with a trailer, using one might be the easiest way to transport your kayak.
You’ll find that there are many different types of kayak trailers. They’re often more expensive than other solutions but have the advantage to require very little lifting.
Securing Your Kayak
When it comes to securing your watercraft to your vehicle, you’ll have two main procedures to follow. Both are easy to accomplish and don’t require any prior knowledge of complicated marine knots.
Tying It Down to the Racks
Once you’ve lifted your kayak to the roof, it’s time to make sure it stays there until it reaches its final destination.
Whether you’ve purchased them separately, or they came with your mounting system, you should have a pair of straps handy.
They’re easy to use, and also the fastest method to tie down your kayak. For some of us, a small step ladder can come in handy.
1. Ensure that your watercraft is properly centered within the racks.
2. Place the strap’s buckle so that it sits just below the edge of your kayak.
3. Throw the end of the strap over to the other side of the craft. Ideally, you’ll have someone to help you and receive the strap.
4. If you’re transporting your kayak alone, walk around the car to grab the strap.
5. Wrap the strap around the rack and throw it back to the other side of your vehicle.
6. Walk back to the other side of your car, where you started. Grab the loose strap.
7. Before passing it through the buckle, make a few twists. This will prevent the strap from slapping.
8. Tighten the strap to secure your craft. Don’t make it overly tight as this can deform the hull.
9. Repeat this process with the second strap.
10. Once both sides are safely secured, tie down any loose straps to the rack. Flying straps can cause scratches to both your kayak and your car.
11. Finally, give your watercraft a gentle side-to-side shake to ensure it’s fit for transportation.
Securing the Bow and Rear
Realistically, not every kayak owner goes through this second process. However, it’s highly recommended to do so, especially if you’re planning to drive on a highway.
It’s a very simple process; one that can prevent disasters. It consists of securing each extremity of your kayak.
1. Face the bow of your kayak and attach the rope to your kayak. Several methods can be used here; some attach the rope to the grab handle, while other kayakers use a strap loop or hook to secure the rope.
2. Find a tie-down point under your bumper. Avoid attaching the rope to any removable or breakable plastic pieces of your car.
3. Tighten the rope. Again, keep yourself from over tightening the rope as it could deform your craft.
4. Repeat the process, this time securing the rear of your kayak.
Pickup Truck Transportation
Using a pickup truck might be the easiest way to transport a kaya. Several options are possible.
Placing at the Back of Your Truck
This method requires little to no advanced preparation.
1. Simply place the kayak in the tray area of the truck.
2. Tie it down using straps.
3. If your watercraft sticks out of the truck, place a flag or reflective triangle to warn drivers on the road.
Using a Truck Extension
A truck extension device can be used in two different ways, each with its own purpose and use.
In a Horizontal Position
If you feel that the kayak portion sticking out needs extra support, investing in a ‘truck extension’ rack is recommended. This is a great option if you’re going on a short trip.
It slides at the back of your pickup truck and will secure your kayak nicely. Most can be adjusted to the length of your kayak. Use a rope to tie the bow, or rear, of your kayak to the rack.
In a Vertical Position
Are you going on a longer trip and need the storage space of your pickup truck? Simply place the extension rack vertically, behind the tailgate. It will extend to reach the same height as your cabin.
Install roof racks above the cabin. The front end of your kayak will be sitting above the cabin, while the rear will hold on to the extension rack. This leaves the bed available for storage.
Using Lumber Racks
They usually come as a pair of two racks. One lumber rack should be placed just behind the rear windshield, while the other rack is installed toward the tailgate.
The front and rear racks are often quite far apart. This option might not be suitable if you own a very short kayak, under 13 feet long.
Adding crossbars to the lumber racks is recommended. This will ensure that your kayak is safely attached during transportation.
Just as for regular cars, you’ll have the option to add J-cradles or saddles to the crossbars. These provide extra support and allow transportation of multiple kayaks if needed.
During Transportation
It’s recommended to make a short break after 14 minutes of driving. At this time, ensure that the straps haven’t moved or loosened up.
Summary
Transporting your kayak doesn’t have to be a daunting task before you can get the fun started. It might take a bit more time during the first few outings, but you should quickly get the hang of it.
Heading to the water alone or with a partner, you should be able to handle your kayak from start to finish. A few techniques might require an initial investment to get the equipment needed. However, the investment will save you money in the long run.
The right transportation technique will protect your kayak, your car paint and some will even prevent back injuries.