How to Transport a Kayak on a Small Car

Need to know how to transport a kayak on a small car without the headache? Our straightforward guide cuts to the chase, offering you step-by-step instructions on securing your kayak to your compact vehicle. We cover the essentials – from size and gear to proper loading – so you can hit the road with confidence. Discover the tips and tricks that make transporting a kayak on a small car a breeze. Let’s dive in.

Key Takeaways

• Pick a lightweight and appropriately-sized kayak for your small car, like touring or recreational kayaks, and avoid bulky fishing ones.
• Use roof racks or affordable alternatives like foam blocks and pool noodles for transportation, and secure with straps and lines.
• For multiple kayaks or convenience, consider inflatable kayaks or a kayak trailer, and always adhere to safety and legal requirements when transporting.

Choosing the Right Kayak for Your Small Car

Prior to commencing the loading sequence, confirm that your kayak is compatible with the size and load capacity of your small car. There’s a variation in both small cars and kayaks. Thus, factors like size, weight, and design should be taken into account.

Typically, types such as touring kayaks or those for recreational use—as well as most single-person models—are conducive to being transported on small cars because they are more lightweight and have less length. On the other hand, fishing kayaks are usually not advisable for smaller vehicles given their heftier mass and larger dimensions.

Size and Weight Considerations

To ensure safe transportation and prevent any road accidents or harm to your vehicle, it is wise not to allow your kayak to protrude beyond half its length past the rear of your car when you’re transporting it.

Types of Kayaks

into the various kinds of kayaks. You may wonder about inflatable kayaks and their place in this mix. Indeed, for those new to the sport, inflatable kayaks provide impressive stability and comfort levels. It is worth noting that while top-tier inflatable kayaks can rival hard-shell counterparts in performance, models at the lower end of the spectrum might fall short when it comes to longevity. Be mindful that challenging wind conditions could present difficulties. Under such circumstances, traditional hard-shell kayaks tend to outperform their inflatable counterparts.

Essential Equipment for Kayak Transportation

When you’ve chosen an appropriate kayak for your small vehicle, gather the equipment required to transport it. Employing a roof rack system is a straightforward approach to carry a kayak on top of a small car and is widely regarded as the simplest way to safely secure and transport your gear. This method makes it easier to lock in place and offers peace of mind, especially for those who are new to this. To ensure that the kayak remains firmly attached to the roof of your car during transit, straps with a minimum length of 12 feet will be necessary.

Roof Racks

Selecting a roof rack for your small car involves evaluating various alternatives such as J-cradles, saddles, and padding which are well-suited for transporting kayaks on smaller vehicles. It’s essential to follow the recommended load limits and mounting guidelines from the manufacturer to guarantee the safe and proper use of the equipment.

After fitting the rack onto your vehicle, it’s important to place the kayak appropriately depending on your chosen style of rack. Be certain to fasten it securely with straps along with bow and stern lines while also being cognizant of clearance above your vehicle.

Foam Blocks and Pool Noodles

Don’t let the absence of a roof rack stretch your budget! Instead, consider utilizing foam blocks or pool noodles as an affordable alternative to conventional roof racks. These are cost-effective and require meticulous placement to achieve stability. Be aware though that these alternatives may not provide the same security level as traditional roof racks, particularly with repeated use over time.

It’s essential to balance the kayak’s weight evenly on your car’s roof for secure transport. Proper distribution is crucial for maintaining stability while you’re on the move.

Straps and Lines

Cam straps play a pivotal role in securely transporting kayaks. To ensure your kayak doesn’t shift, position a cam strap through the attachment points where the crossbars connect to your vehicle. Adding a twist to these straps is an effective way to reduce vibration while the car is moving.

Once you have gathered all the required gear and your kayak, it’s time to tackle the challenge of loading multiple kayaks onto a compact car.

Loading and Securing Your Kayak

Ensuring your kayak is correctly loaded and fastened will result in a smooth trip. Retract the side mirrors of your vehicle before hoisting to avoid damaging them. It’s advisable to have assistance. With one person at each end, lifting the kayak onto the roof becomes much easier.

After positioning the kayak on top, it’s essential that you firmly attach it using roof racks to prevent any accidents while traveling.

Loading Your Kayak with Help

Having a helping hand while loading your kayak is ideal! Both people should pick up the kayak by its hull, avoiding using the grab handles for lifting, and gently set it down on the vehicle’s rack system. Take care to softly place it in order to protect the underside of your kayak from damage and also prevent any strain on your back.

Solo Loading Techniques

Going it alone? You can still manage to load your kayak onto a small car with ease. Kayak racks come equipped with lift systems that minimize the height at which you need to hoist your kayak, making the loading process much easier. By utilizing rolling wheels affixed to the rack, you can effortlessly push your kayak’s bow into the back cradle and roll it towards the front cradle for secure loading.

Securing Your Kayak

Once your kayak is loaded onto your car, it’s time to secure it. Here’s how:

• Center the kayak between the vehicle’s crossbars.
• Use cam straps to tie it down, ensuring the kayak is cinched down without overtightening to prevent damage to the hull.
• After securing the kayak with cam straps, tie off the loose ends around the crossbars to prevent them from flapping during transit.

And don’t forget to attach the bow and stern lines to secure points on the kayak and vehicle. After driving for about 15 minutes, check to ensure that the kayak remains firmly in place. For an extra layer of protection against theft, locking cam straps can be used.

Alternative Kayak Transportation Options

If you’re looking to carry multiple kayaks but your small car lacks sufficient roof space, know that there are different ways to transport them beyond the conventional rooftop method. Options like towing or employing a kayak trailer can provide solutions.

Take the SylvanSport GO EASY as an example. This lightweight trailer is designed specifically for small cars, allowing them not only to transport several kayaks at once, but also accommodate extra gear.

Inflatable Kayaks

For owners of small cars, inflatable kayaks present an extremely practical option as they can be easily stored and transported in the vehicle’s trunk. This obviates the necessity for any external carrying mechanisms while offering satisfactory stability and agility when used on water bodies. It is important to consider, though, that their performance might not quite match up to that of rigid boats.

Kayak Trailers

Transporting several kayaks with a small car can be achieved using a kayak trailer, providing an alternative when rooftop space is insufficient for more than one kayak. This method eliminates the need to hoist the kayaks onto the roof of the car, offering a convenient solution for individuals unable or reluctant to lift heavy objects.

Safety Precautions and Legal Considerations

When you are transporting kayaks, particularly using a small car, it’s essential not only to focus on the physical relocation of the kayak but also to ensure that the transportation is conducted in a secure and lawful manner. Adhering to specific safety protocols as well as local traffic rules and regulations is crucial during this process.

Driving Safely with a Kayak

When transporting a kayak in your car, consider these safety suggestions:

• Modify your driving pace to reflect the increased height and extended length of your vehicle.
• Utilize straps at both the bow and stern consistently to anchor the kayak firmly to your vehicle, this is particularly crucial during strong winds or while traveling on highways.
• After covering a brief span of distance with the car, ensure you reassess that the kayak remains tightly fastened.

Legal Requirements

For legal compliance, it’s important to check with state rules concerning the limits on load overhang to prevent incurring fines. Although there are federal standards governing how much a kayak can overhang while being transported, not every state adheres strictly to these guidelines.

In certain cases, states may permit kayaks that go beyond the federally established overhang restrictions if they have particular signs or permits for their lawful transportation.

How to transport a kayak without a roof rack

No kayak roof racks? No problem! You can still transport your kayak without harming your car doors by employing alternatives such as a lift system or rolling wheels, and even simple solutions like towels or blankets. By mastering the correct methods, you are able to move your kayak safely atop your vehicle despite not having traditional roof racks.

Can I put a kayak on my car without a rack?

Certainly! It’s possible to transport a kayak on top of a vehicle even without a rack by adhering to the following procedures:

• Place towels, blankets, or foam blocks atop your car as padding to shield both the vehicle and the kayak from damage.
• Rest the kayak securely on this cushioned layer.
• Employ straps to firmly anchor the kayak onto your vehicle.

To enhance stability and ensure safety during transit, you’re advised to utilize stern lines that connect both the bow and stern ends of your craft directly with points on your car.

Can you put a kayak rack on a small car?

Absolutely, fitting a kayak rack onto a small car can be done! These racks are designed to affix securely atop your vehicle, specifically for transporting kayaks. To mount the rack, you’ll require crossbars on your car’s roof—if these aren’t in place already, installation may be necessary. Do bear in mind that hoisting the kayak up to the roof of your car might present some difficulty due to its height and weight.

What is the cheapest way to transport a kayak?

Employing foam blocks or pool noodles is an economical solution for carrying a kayak. These materials are inexpensive alternatives to conventional roof racks and can be adapted for use when hauling a kayak atop a small car. They necessitate meticulous placement on the vehicle’s roof to ensure stability and may not provide as robust security as standard roof racks do during transport.

Is it better to transport a kayak up or down?

When it comes to the proper orientation for transporting kayaks, whether they should be placed hull side up or down largely depends on what the kayak is made of. Kayaks crafted from composite materials are best transported with the hull facing upwards to avoid any deformation or damage due to pressure exerted by the securing straps during transit.

In contrast, polyethylene kayaks boast a sturdier construction that enables them to be carried safely on roof racks or trailers with their hulls facing downward without fear of sustaining damage. As for inflatable kayaks, thanks to their pliable nature, they offer versatility in transport options – these can be situated in different positions when inflated, and if necessary, can simply be deflated and neatly packed away inside your vehicle as an easily stored inflatable craft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you carry a kayak on top of a sedan?

Certainly, transporting a kayak atop a sedan is entirely feasible. Provided that your vehicle is equipped with either a rack specifically designed for kayaks or a general roof rack, it’s quite straightforward to transport the kayak on most types of cars, sedans included.

Rest assured!

How do you get a kayak on an SUV alone?

Utilizing a lift system facilitates the solo task of hoisting a kayak onto an SUV, as it enables you to glide the kayak from the vehicle’s side to its summit without having to raise it excessively. This approach streamlines the loading process, allowing for independent handling.

Can I put a kayak on my car without a rack?

Certainly, it’s possible to place a kayak atop your car and ensure its stability without having a rack by simply utilizing cam straps. These straps will help you fasten the kayak securely and effortlessly.

What types of kayaks are suitable for small cars?

Transporting touring, recreational, and most single-person kayaks is quite manageable with a small car due to their lightweight nature and more compact size.

Enjoy your time on the water – happy kayaking!

How can I secure my kayak to my car?

Center your kayak between the crossbars on your car and utilize cam straps to fasten it firmly in place. To ensure added stability, connect stern and bow lines between designated secure points on both the car and the kayak.

Conclusion

Transporting a kayak using a small car can seem daunting, but with the correct understanding and tools, it becomes an achievable and enjoyable endeavor. Utilizing foam blocks or a roof rack system—or even pulling along a kayak trailer—the crucial aspect is to fasten your kayak securely for safe travel.

Prepare your equipment, properly position and fasten your kayak on the car’s roof or trailer, and go in on your upcoming aquatic expedition!