How to Haul Your Kayak Without a Roof Rack 

Ha, that's awesome, I'm glad it was useful. Something I've learned though, when you pack your yak like this and it rains, there will probably be a little water get through the seal of the door. Just a heads-up. Happy paddlin' my friend!

@@WildWonderfulWeekends That's also as perfect as it is slated to rain for us tomorrow 🤣

LOL... wow

same here!!!

Nice! Good thinking!

Glad it was useful! Take care!

I bought a $100 bare roof adapting rack, and $100 kayak J racks and the things didnt even work, i was bummed and found out about foam holders. glad i did, full refunds on the previous stuff

Thanks for the kind feedback!

Thanks my friend! You too!

Obrigado pelo comentário gentil! Estou feliz que este vídeo foi útil.

Glad it was helpful, safe paddling!

Thanks for watching!

Hi Joseph, if it were me I would definitely use bow and stern tie downs with a 13 footer. I would probably use more pool noodles too, so instead of say 2 (like in this video) I would use 4 to 6. That will distribute the weight better and provide more points of contact. Take care!

I have done this with the float for my anchor rope. Bit of PVC on the inside prevents (or helps to prevent) the noodle from tearing, but still lets it float.

That's kind of funny because I tried for 5 days to buy a different kayak but that kayak was literally the only one they had at my local Dick's Sporting Goods so I finally gave in and bought it. lol It was a great kayak though! I had a lot of fun on it. I have a Jackson now that is a bit faster and has more storage but it's considerably more heavy whish is a bit of a downer. I'm thinking of getting another Pelican, a sit-on-top this time.

@@WildWonderfulWeekends yes I was going for the low weight...I have had faster and WW kayaks in the past but now that I am older I just need a slow kind of paddle around and the ability to hoist the thing around on and off my Golf

@@maryannaabuzahra-greenmoun4705 I'm in exactly the same boat. ;) These days... lighter = better.

Good idea.

Thanks for watching my video! As long as your straps are at least an inch wide and in good shape, they should be fine. But just so ya know, I wouldn't recommend using this method as a long term solution or over long distances. Good luck my friend!

Congrats! You're gonna love it.

@@WildWonderfulWeekends thanks! was out on the long island sound all day!! can’t wait to go back out

@@LeonDePonce07 Very cool... I would love to check that area out. I just subscribed to your channel, you should post some shots of your kayaking excursions. Take care!

@@WildWonderfulWeekends thanks i appreciate it. haven’t posted in years.. my babies are teens now lol. i might do that.

Yes! Try putting a twist in the straps in the space between the kayak and the car (that way the twist isn't resting on the kayak). Don't ask me why, but this seems to really dampen the noise.

I also used a Bungie cord on each side between the straps. Seemed to hold tight enough to not wiggle in the wind. 🪢

Yes sir, I hope it's helpful! It's not a long-term solution, of course. But it can get ya by for a bit... it has me, at least.

10 ft

Wow, yeah, that'd be nerve racking. Did you try putting a twist in the strap? Even then though, for a long haul like that it would be best to get a kayak rack.

Great question. I can't speak from experience because I've never tried that, BUT, if the gear was in a sturdy container that covered a large enough surface area on the roof of the vehicle so that the weight was distributed over a larger area AND that container was strapped down securely, I imagine it could be safe. I think some consideration would need to be given to how aerodynamic the container is too. You probably wouldn't want to use something square because the force of the wind drag could make it unsafe and a big drain on your gas mileage.

@@WildWonderfulWeekends after a little research, it seems like a rooftop bag is the best bet when you don’t have a roof rack.

@@adamshai604 Makes sense, I would go that route.

I wouldn't risk it, it would probably put too much stress on the roof of your car.

It has for me, but it's important to make sure your kayak is a relatively small / light one or it could damage the roof.

Wow, yeah... that's probably a good idea.

Definitely, but I would caution you on the size of the kayak. This method of carrying a 'yak is really only intended as a temporary, short-term solution for when you don't have a rack. I wouldn't recommend it for heavy boats or long trips. Take care!

Great advice, it works.

Yes, deck down makes sense.

Hey FunK! Yes, I believe that would probably be wise. I would imagine it could probably damage the sunroof and cause leaks. Sorry my friend!

@@WildWonderfulWeekends alrighty, thanks then!

@@FunKayyy Absolutely, thanks for checking out my video!

Hi Dee, I can see where it could be; it would distribute the weight of the kayak over two points of contact (the coaming) on each pool noodle instead of just one (the keel). Good thinking!

I've carried my kayaks facing up and down for years, sometimes over hundreds of miles at highway speeds and zero issues. I know others that have as well.

Not with sit on top type kayaks The kayak is much more aerodynamic with the bottom facing the roof. That's how it skates through water. No different in the air. Flipping it upside down would catch a lot more air.

For sit on top it shouldn't make to much of a difference. Put it up according to what is recommended for the pads

​@@Corkfish1corkfish is right on

😁 That would be worth videoing.

Feel free to use them. I never have on my 10 footers.

@@WildWonderfulWeekends I don't with my racks and cradles. Had to put on hood of car today just felt a bit unsafe. Was trying to find videos how to do it. Kind of surprised not many show how to do it.

​@@lisawood3148 You're right, I think I will do a video on how to tie bow and stern lines. I will let you know when I do, in case you would like to watch it. For me personally, and I know this is technically bad practice, but when I car-top a kayak that's 12 foot and under I don't use bow and stern lines. I do check my straps each time I secure my kayak. If they are frayed or appear weak in any way I scrap them. I also make sure my rack is secure and has no play or signs of stress. When I've taken longer trips with my kayak on the roof I have secured the bow and stern to the rack, in case the straps fail during the drive. I know that doesn't protect me from the rack failing but I believe that's extremely unlikely to happen. Knock on wood.

😆

Love it! Thanks for liking!! :)

Be sure to use high density foam like a pool noodle, put the kayak top down like in the video to disperse the weight and tension over a wider area, and don't over tighten your straps.

late reply, but this is because you should never use ratchet straps for this lol. Ratchet straps are insanely easy to overtighten which can cause denting and has nothing to do with using pool noodles. Use camstraps instead and this won't happen.

Think about it for a while

Yep, my foam pieces weren't wide enough to accommodate the width of the kayak upside down in this video.

I agree, this definitely isn't a log-term solution. More for the impatient person (like me) who just got their 'yak and don't have a rack. Just curious, what brand / model kayak dented your car?

Not if you know what you're doing.

if you tighten it too much..

High quality cam straps!

Don't over tighten and you should be fine

It ain't rocket science, Schultz, turn up the volume and pay attention to my words. Nobody else has had any trouble.

@@WildWonderfulWeekends HAHA LOVE the honest reply. What a tool comment to make by the original poster.

@@ten96cycling 😉