How To Transport Kayak And Paddleboard? 3+ Methods In 2022

If you’re like me and enjoy spending your weekends out on paddleboarding, you’ll want to take your gear with you wherever you go but you know transporting your paddleboard can be a hassle and challenging.

If you are curious about knowing the answer to this frequently asked question how to transport kayak and paddleboard? here is the answer.

Transporting kayaks and paddleboards can be a challenge, but with the right tips, it can be a little bit easier like using straps and high-quality roof racks. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Why It Is Hard To Transport Kayaks And Paddleboards?

It is difficult to transport kayaks and paddleboards because they have a large surface area, so it takes more effort to keep them stable during transportation.

Be aware of the wind conditions as too much wind can make your life hard if you are transporting a kayak or paddleboard alone.

Don’t carry your paddleboard on top of the car without taking enough safety precautions. You don’t want any damage to be done to your board or its accessories!

Important Note: The roof rack that I personally recommend that you can use during transporting kayak and paddleboard is mentioned below.

How to Transport Kayak and Paddleboard? Different Methods

Here are some of the best methods to transport a kayak or paddleboard.

1. Transport Kayaks And Paddleboards On Kayak Rack:

A roof rack is the best option if you wish to take your water vessel with you to different places every time, such as a yacht or boating marina.

This method is very effective for moving bigger boats across short distances or just simply storage when not in use. this technique also uses less force in comparison to pulling the board by a strap over a long distance.

2. Transport Kayaks And Paddleboards Using Straps:

This technique is basically used for small boards that are easy to carry around from one place to another.

Especially if they have been deflated, folded, or rolled up into a compact bundle that can fit onto car tops without any problems, the only drawback is that these straps may cause damage to the vessel.

3. Transport Kayaks And Paddleboards On A Roof Rack With Bathtub:

This technique is best for transporting very longboards that are too wide for vehicles or car racks, but still can be used in conjunction with a paddleboard carrier to get the job done.

In this case, these boards cannot fully stand up by themselves, so they need to be tied down tightly across their length side-to-side.

4. Transport Kayaks And Paddleboards Using Trailers:

This technique is mainly used for transporting boards over very long distances, with the trailer being large enough to accommodate both yachts or wakeboard boats.

It can even carry more than one board at a time, although this process takes much longer compared to other methods as it requires professional installation and some experience in driving long distances.

How Do I Safely Transport My Kayak Or Paddleboard Without Damaging It Or Myself In The Process?”

It’s important to always choose the safest route possible when transporting your kayak or paddleboard.

Use Roof Racks

Use roof racks whenever possible, make sure it is locked down securely, stay away from busy waterways with lots of boat traffic and take into consideration the wind conditions if paddling out into the ocean.

Use Straps

If you do not have a roof rack on your car, use straps instead which will help you carry the boards on and off of your car without too much trouble.
Make sure that all your boats are unloaded properly before leaving for your destination, make sure they are strapped down safely and securely to the roof rack of your car.

Carry Additional Gears

Always carry additional safety gear for example a life jacket, flashlight or flares just in case you run into trouble on your trip.

Not Overload Your Roof Rack

It’s also very important not to overload your roof rack at all costs with too many boards or kayaks attached to it, this can affect its stability while driving on bumpy roads.

Drive Carefully

Never drive over 70-80 kilometers per hour when transporting a boat on top of your car using straps because sometimes boats can fall off due to high speeds so be aware of what is going on around you while driving!
Don’t even think about going for a ride with an unsecured kayak or paddleboard on the roof of your car!
Last but not least, do not carry your own boat on top of the car without taking enough safety precautions as it can cause damage to both your board and vehicle.

How To Transport Kayak And Paddleboard

Tips

  • If you have a roof rack on your car, make sure you use it! It’s much safer than tying your boat down to the top of your car with a rope.
  • Make sure the rack is properly installed and that the kayak or paddleboard fits securely.
  • If you don’t have a roof rack, you can try using a tie-down strap system or even a bike rack. Just make sure the kayak or paddleboard is secure before you hit the road.
  • Always take caution when driving, especially if you’re towing a trailer or pulling a boat. You don’t want any accidents that might damage your kayak, paddleboard, car, and other people’s property.
  • Some wheels can be used to pull along your kayak or paddleboard and these are helpful if you plan on using the boards frequently throughout the summer. Wheels will help you carry the boards on and off of your car without too much trouble.
  • If you don’t want to fork out a couple of hundred dollars for a wheel system, some people keep their kayak or paddleboard on the top of their car as they drive. Just make sure it’s secure!
  • It’s also possible to strap your kayak or paddleboard to the top of your car without using a roof rack. Just make sure you test its stability before you go for a ride.
  • And if you plan on paddling out into the ocean, it’s important to always choose the safest route possible and stay away from busy waterways with lots of boat traffic whenever possible.

Which Option Is Best For Me And My Needs?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it depends on your water vessel and how often you use it.

If you need to transport a small board, the kayak carrier or roof rack method works best for short distances and storage purposes. If you need to transport a larger boat over long distances such as from one lake to another, you can always turn to trailers to get the job done easily.

So we concluded how important these methods are to transport your kayak or paddleboard.

Conclusion

It’s crucial that you take all the precautions needed when transporting your kayak or paddleboard as it can cause damage both to yourself and your equipment if not handled properly.

Make sure that your kayak fits securely onto the roof rack if you go that route, and use straps for smaller kayaks and boards to avoid damage during transportation. If you opt for a trailer, be aware of how it works and make sure your vessel will fit in properly before embarking on a trip.

Last but not least, don’t even think about carrying your own vessels without taking all the necessary safety measures!. Now we hope that all of your concerns will be gone by following the above-mentioned guide about how to transport kayak and paddleboard.

FAQs

How do I transport a paddleboard if I don’t have a roof rack?

You can strap the board down to the top of your car with straps, but my personal suggestion would be to get a roof rack for easier transportation. If you need help fitting the board on your vehicle, check out this article from Yahoo Autos.

How do I transport a paddleboard on the inside of my car?

You can also fit your board inside your car, but make sure you tie it down securely in order to avoid any damage during transportation. You can use straps or padding that will keep both the boards and floors from getting damaged by moving around too much. Make sure you remove any loose items from the inside of your car that may get damaged, or cause an accident during transportation.

How can I safely transport a kayak or paddleboard if I don’t have a trailer?

There are other ways to transport aboard without a trailer such as strapping it down onto the top of your different type of vehicle. Alternatively, you can also pack your boat into the car. Make sure you have set up padding on the floor to avoid any damage, and secure straps tight in place with straps.

Do you need a bed extender for a kayak?

No, you don’t need a bed extender for a kayak. Kayaks are designed to fit inside the bed of a pickup truck without taking up too much space. However, if you have a larger kayak or want to transport multiple kayaks, you may want to consider investing in a bed extender. This will give you more space to work with and make it easier to secure your kayaks.

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