kayak on the car top?

[Blue Sky]

I'm trying to decide which direction to go when transporting my kayak. I do have a utility trailer to use, but my car is small and doesn't have a hitch. I think I would prefer to just car top it. I have a basic kit, one of those with the foam blocks and nylon straps, and have tried it out in the driveway only. It seemed to be OK, just not real confidence-inspiring. This is most likely a "10 times a summer" scenario.

The first question is, has anyone used the foam block system with good/bad results?





BTW, why does most everyone car top canoes upside down and kayaks right side up?

 

[treeshaker]

they work great, you can not add to many tie downs, wind drag, but you know that. I have "topped" one 1400 miles 3 times. I like to always tie a starter rope from the under grill area to the front of the Kayak or canoe. And while not necessary, on interstate , high-speed runs, i run the tie down through the windows, ensuring a solid hold.

 

[Scott Free]

Can't speak for kayaks, but canoes go upside down so that the gunnels can rest on roof racks.

If you're using your boat ten times a summer, my suggestion is to get roof racks.

 

[22-rimfire]

I know they work great, but I would add enough tie downs (and ones that lock) to make yourself comfortable with the arrangement. You don't want the thing to move. I carry my kayak in my pickup with a bed extension since my kayak is 12 feet long and my bed at most 6 feet long. Add a tool box, and I loose a cople feet. If I carry more than one, then I go to a utility trailer rack. I dislike hauling around a trailer.

 

[mete]

Right side up will fill with water in the rain ! Don't trailor it put it on a roof rack .Always tie bow to front bumper .Prevents wind from trying to lift it. Going a few miles at speed then stopping to check all straps is always a good idea.

 

[Codger_64]

Here is my small canoe on the car. There is also a strap at the front going to each side of the hood. The ones going through the rear doors have the hooks and ratchets inside. I've carried a larger canoe like this four or five hundred miles at highway speeds with no movement. I use pretty much the same tie-down arrangement on my canoe trailer. Two across and one fore and aft. Some folks like cam buckle straps but I prefer winch ratchet straps.

 

[Bigfatts]

The car top blocks work just fine. That's how I transport my 15' Wilderness Systems. Always use a bow line. I live in FL where lots of people kayak on the weekends. I've seen plenty of kayaks laying in the road because they've slid backwards off someone's roof. I've never had any issues transporting mine.

 

[Blue Sky]

Thank you gentlemen, good to know the blocks work. My set up looks a lot like Codger's, with two straps through the doors and fore-and-aft tie-downs. Soon as the rain quits I think I'll get it up and take a test ride.

 

[Ebbtide]

After you get the boat tied to the car give it a good shove on each end. Front to back and side to side.
The car should rock on it's shocks and the boat shouldn't move.

 

[TPVT]

tadaaaa....

This is not necessarily recommended, but it does work.

I would also recommend a roof rack. but, i also use mine for skis, bikes, etc. if you are just looking for canoe transport with the foam, then i think codger had a good example of that (as you already saw).

and, as others have mentioned, i too use a "just-in-case" strap. i.e. thread it through the front handles (or whatever) and tie it off. that way, if the worst happens, and it goes free, it's not causing an accident.