Transporting your Kayak

Most of the damage we see on kayaks happens when they are being improperly carried on vehicles. Transport damage is preventable with the use of a proper roof rack. A quality roof rack with specialized kayak carriers is a small price to pay for protecting your boat and vehicle. Do not transport your kayak on a set of flat bars unless you pad the bars in such a way as to cradle the hull. Without the padding, you can sustain serious hull damage. 

Composite kayaks are usually carried deck up and hull down because the hull is built stiffer than the deck. Some paddlers prefer to carry their kayaks on their sides where the boat is stiffest. Rack manufacturers build special towers to allow boats to be carried on their sides. However you transport your boat, make sure that there is adequate padding for protection wherever it comes in contact with a rack or tower. 

When loading your boat on a rack, avoid over-tightening your tie-down lines. The lines need to be just tight enough to be secure. Many over zealous boat owners, worried about their boat coming off the car, over-tighten the ropes and cause damage to the boat’s gel-coat by putting undue stress on the hull. Snug down the lines over the kayak and be certain to tie down the bow and stern. This will give the boat more lateral stability and will help to better secure the kayak and racks to the car for safety.

Polyethylene kayaks will warp if tied down too tightly on a flat roof rack. Plastic can take the shape of the flat bar if the kayak is not supported with cradles or foam forms.

WARNING: Never transport a loaded kayak on a roof rack. The hull may not support the extra weight.

Recommendations:

• Get a good quality roof rack. Thule and Yakima racks are reliable and highly recommended. At Ocean River we carry both.
• We recommend the use of cradles or towers with good padding.
• Use specialized straps as tie-downs for secure transport. Never use bungie cords!
• Make sure your rudder is pulled up tightly and well secured.
• A cockpit cover or boat cover is a great idea to protect your boat and keep water out during transport.