How To Transport A Kayak Top Tips And Comprehensive Guide

Are you know what gear you are going to need and how can you prepare your kayak for transportation. Do you want to know how to transport a kayak? Are you looking for an easy way to kayak transporters? Do you find it very difficult to kayak transportation? So let’s make this difficult process easier for you. In this article, we will tell you very easy steps on how to transport a kayak.

When you are brand new to kayaking you find yourself worried in a lot of situations. there are lots of things you have never performed physically before, so you feel difficult to solve them. as a newbie, the first thing, you face problem in kayaking is how to transport a kayak.

In the market, there are lots of kayaks that come in multiple shapes and sizes and most boats come in 2m in length measuring. 

Getting Your Vehicle Ready   

When you ready your kayak for kayaking make sure that you follow all these steps.

Roof Racks

Roof racks are the initial part of transporting a kayak securely. This is a sound racking system that ensures you protect your kayak and your car from scratches and dings. You can choose the best option according to your vehicle. You can easily determine the type of your roof by utilizing our guide of roof racks for kayaks.

• Bare Roof  

Obviously, a bare roof is completely free of any attachment. If you have a car whose roof is bare don’t be depressed. You have also roof rack options to transport a kayak without any damage. For this type of roof continue reading our top picks.

• Side Rails

When we talk about side rails we noticed that they come in two types. One of them is flush and the second one is raised. Raised side rails have two parallel running rails to the door. Your hands will fit easily as there will be a gap between the rail and car rack for kayak.

As opposed to flushed side rails, there is no gap between rails and racks that fits your hands. Both types of roof racks are meant to support a hard rack system offering strong attachment points. 

• Gutters

Gutters are rarely used in modern cars. They are mounted on top of the door on each side of the car. Gutters will provide you with an anchor for roof racks as they pull out from the side of the vehicle.

• Fixed Points

There are four hidden attachment points that are fixed. These fixed points are normally wrapped with a plastic cap. You can bolt a roof rack system into these points so that this will give you a neat finish with a very powerful load limit.

• Tracks

Tracks are slots, long channels, and tracks that are mounted on the outer edge of your roof and move parallel to the doors. Usually, tracks are already installed but you can also purchase them to install by yourself. If your truck or car has tracks on the roof you will be able to remove the hidden plastic covers or can slot a rack into your particular vehicle after purchasing. 

• Factory Crossbars

The dealership already installed factory crossbars between the side rails of the car. This is most people thought that they tied up all well as they have installed factory crossbars but there are some more points that you need to check out before driving.

If you are aware of your roof type you can easily start to select your roof rack configuration.

• Soft Racks 

If you wanna transport your kayak with four doors vehicle that has a bare roof plus tracks or fixed points, you can select the roof racks. If you are looking for safe kayak transportation you can choose soft racks as these are not only safe, comfortable, and inflatable but also a convenient option.

You can easily remove and install soft racks. Another feature of soft racks is that they are designed for easy storage. Basically, roof racks are two tubes attached with straps. The straps ensure the racks by passing through the rear and doors.

• Mounted Crossbars/ Hard Racks

Mounted crossbars are also known as hard racks. Hard racks are meant for the gutters, tracks, fixed points, and cars with side rails. Hard racks are not universally similar to soft racks. This brand has a wide range of racks that fit any vehicle’s specifications.

• Pads

You can use an additional layer of safety to secure your kayak from getting run down by rigid racks if you are using factory-mounted crossbars or hard racks for your car. For this, you can use foam padding. Similar to other products pads also come in a good and bad variety. The good quality pads are made with anti-slip material that keeps your gear in place. 

Tie Down Straps 

Any kayaker that transporting his kayak, don’t be taking the risk to drive a car without securing his kayak or boat. For this, you definitely need to tie-down straps. You absolutely find careful ratchet straps or pull down. Tie-down straps keep your gear in place strongly. 

Usually, straps come with a pair that ensure to secure your kayak at two points. This will help to hand out the load carefully onward the length of your car or any other vehicle. Get a strap that has silicon or padded buckles and it will ensure to secure your car from any damage.

Bow and Stern Lines

Bow and stern are the lines that prove very helpful when you brake and accelerate brutally, as they stop your kayak from slipping forward and backward.

Tie-down components to help your kayak to slab from side to side.

Rack Accessories 

One more basic point of kayaking is that you know whether you are kayaking for long-distance or not. If yes then you need a kayak holder or rack accessories. This is a pro tip as this is additional support for your kayak.

Racks move your kayak when you are kayaking at speed and also seated your kayak on crossbars or hard racks.

Loading Your Kayak With Assistance

Everything is done, now you can load your kayak. Loading a kayak with the help of an assistant is a very easy and simple way from the ground to the roof. Keep your kayak beside the vehicle and use a bow and stern. There are two ways to load your kayak one si if you are using a cradle or kayak holder you want to place your kayak on top in order to put the hull into the cradle. The other one is if you want to use the racking system directly you should place your kayak upright.

Bending your knees and loading your kayak onto the racks at the bow and stern.

Loading Your Kayak Solo

It can be very difficult to load your kayak solo. Well, the whole difference between solo and tandem transporting a kayak is due to kayak accessories for loading. For one rack system, these accessories are may be customized as needed, difficult and expensive. As per my experience, not the best solution. The best solution is that the k rack system offers automatic loading. There is a molded frame and suction cup in the k rack. It will cradle and assist your kayak from the ground onto any hard and soft rack. 

Driving Safely With Your Kayak

Finally, you load your kayak securely. This is the time when you are ready to go. chek the pressure of your tire before driving. If this is not stable, use the handbook of your vehicle to adjust pressure. Be sure that your vehicle is the extra distance from the other one in front of you. If you are going for a longer distance stop from time to time to check out whether all the things are fastened down safely. 

If there is rain during travel, the things that you even tie-down solidly can loose. Also, air pressure and driving movement left your tie-down loose. However, these points are all necessary to reach your destination.