Position your canoe so that the yoke or middle thwart is equi distant between the contact points with the car.
How to tie a canoe to a car roof rack.
Once the boat is on the roof of the car and the straps are around the bars pull the straps over the canoe or kayak to the other side of the roof rack to avoid car damage or even a broken window.
To carry your canoe on a roof rack you ll need a carrier designed for this use.
The easiest way is with the help of a friend.
We have put together a quick how to guide with some tips to help you tie down your kayak so you can get to your destination safely.
Bring the straps over the kayak or canoe.
To tie down a kayak place it right side up on your roof rack and center it.
Find everything you need for loading.
If you re solo there are a couple of options depending on your rack system.
If your vehicle has a roof rack you have one of the best situations for tying down a canoe.
Tying a kayak onto a car roof rack can be tricky.
If you don t have a roof rack there are still other options out there for you.
Straps spread the load out a bit and are easy to use but tie the strap ends down after cinching them just in.
Tying your kayak for the roof rack.
In this video i demonstrate how to tie a canoe to a vehicle under two very different scenarios.
Pick up your kayak onto the roof rack on your car so it is right side upwards.
How to tie down a canoe to a roof rack.
A roof rack is ideal as it provides the most secure tie down.
It also reduces the risk of damaging your vehicle.
You can use cam buckle straps or ropes.
You might need somebody to assist you to pick it up.
You ll pick the boat up by each end and place it on the rack.
Put a kayak on a vehicle.
Tie down a kayak.
Tie the straps down with cam buckles to secure the kayak.
The proper way to load a canoe onto a vehicle with an existing roof rack using cam straps bow and stern ties and foams.
Most include the necessary tie downs as well.
Foam blocks and crossbar pads are economical options that protect your canoe roof rack and vehicle.
Using cam straps is the simplest and fastest way to secure the boat.
But it can be important to do it correctly to avoid damage to either your boat or your car or accidents while you re on the road.
Run 2 boat straps over the top of the kayak and them under the roof rack bars then bring the straps to the other side of the kayak and loop them under the roof rack bars on that side.
The bow front of one s kayak should be at the front end of your car plus the stern back of one s kayak should be at the back.