How to Transport a Kayak on a Car Without Roof Rack

How to Transport a Kayak on a Car Without Roof Rack and Don’t have a roof rack? No problem! You can still transport your kayak safely for short trips using just foam blocks, cam straps, and rope. Getting your kayak to the water can be hard without a roof rack. Racks make it easy, but they’re expensive and need installation.

What if there was a cheaper, easier way for short trips to nearby paddling spots?

I’ve tried transporting my kayak without a roof rack using just foam blocks, straps, and rope. I’ll share my tips and solutions so you can do it safely too.

This works best for short distances and little highway driving. For long trips or regular transport, it’s best to get a good roof rack.

Related Article: How to Tie Down a Kayak onto the Roof Rack

The DIY Kayak Roof Rack System

You can easily and cheaply Transport a Kayak on your car without a roof rack by using foam blocks and racket straps.

First, cut some foam tubing into blocks and secure them to the roof of your car with duct tape. Space the foam blocks apart at the width of your kayak.

Next, run two racket straps over the kayak so they go under the foam blocks on each side. Tighten the straps to secure the kayak firmly on top of the foam blocks.

The foam blocks protect your car roof from getting scratched by the Transport a Kayak. And the racket straps hold everything in place. This DIY kayak rack works great for cars without roof rails. It’s a simple, affordable way to transport a kayak. Just check your local laws to make sure strapping items directly to your roof is allowed.

Kit List

You’ll need:

Get:

What You’ll Need

1. Foam Padding – Use foam blocks or pool noodles, 2 for each kayak. Place one at the bow and one at the stern.
2. Ratchet Straps – These allow you to tightly secure the kayak. Don’t use rope or knots which can loosen. Ratchet straps clamp tightly.
3. Rope (optional) – While ratchet straps hold the kayak in place, rope tied to the handles provides extra stability.

The key materials are foam blocks for padding and ratchet straps to firmly fasten the kayak. The foam protects the car and kayak. The ratchet straps keep the Transport a Kayak securely fixed in place during transport. The rope gives added peace of mind but is optional.

What is a Ratchet strap?

Ratchet straps are used to secure loads on vehicles during transportation. They have an adjustable ratchet buckle that lets you tighten the strap.

Many people struggle with using the ratchet buckle properly. Here are some tips:

Following these simple guidelines will make ratchet straps easier to use and ensure your load is properly secured.

How to Tread and Tighten a Ratchet Strap

To use a ratchet correctly follow this 5-step guide

1. Open the top of the ratchet buckle so it releases away from you.
2. Thread the strap through the slot in the buckle. The strap should loop back onto itself.
3. Pull the strap through the slot to tighten it.
4. Pump the ratchet lever up and down to further tighten the strap.
5. When the strap is tight, close the top of the ratchet buckle. It will click locked.
6. To loosen, push the release tab on the side of the buckle.
7. Open the top of the buckle and pull the strap back through the slot.

The key things to remember are threading the strap correctly, tightening it with the ratchet lever, and using the release tab to loosen it. Following these simple steps makes using ratchet straps easy.

How to Release a Ratchet Strap

To release a ratchet correctly follow this 2-step process

Step 1 – Is My Car Suitable for This Roof Rack Method?

You need a 4-door car or truck. Lay the pool noodles across the width of the roof between the front and back doors. This creates your DIY roof rack.

Make sure there is at least 6 inches of space between the pool noodles and the edges of the roof. This is because most car roofs curve down at the edges. You want to avoid that curve to ensure the noodles stay securely in place.

Run the ratchet straps over the pool noodles and through the inside of the car. Tighten the straps to hold the noodles firmly in place as your roof rack. The goal is to create a flat, secure surface across the width of the roof using the pool noodles. Leaving 6 inches from the edges avoids any curved areas and allows you to tighten down the noodles safely.

Step 2 –Noodle length

The key is ensuring the noodles are long enough to fit your kayak with 3 inches of space on each side. Measuring the Transport a Kayak width plus 6 inches gives the minimum noodle length.

How to Transport Two Kayaks without a Roof Rack?

If you have room for more than one kayak on your roof, use individual noodles for each Transport a Kayak. This makes positioning them easier.

Measure and cut each noodle to fit its kayak:

Be sure the total length of all the noodles combined doesn’t exceed the width of your roof.

Customizing each noodle means you can snugly fit multiple kayaks side-by-side with a 3-inch gap between them.

Cutting pool noodles is easy using a basic handsaw or craft saw. Measure twice to get the size right. With properly sized noodles for each Transport a Kayak, you can create a custom rack that fits like a glove!

Step 2 – Secure the Pool Noodles to the Car

Tread the Pool Noodles

Position the Pool Noodles on the Car

Place the first noodle/strap set across the roof, making sure it lines up with the middle of the front doors.

Tighten Straps

Sit in the car and pass the ratchet strap through.

Step3 – Load the kayak onto the Roof Rack

Lifting a kayak on your own

1. Lay an old blanket on the roof edges to protect the paint.
2. Place the kayak parallel to the car about a kayak length away. Center it with the front rack.
3. Standing at the bow, lift the front and walk under the kayak until it’s over your head.
4. Turn the kayak 90 degrees and lay the bow on the front foam blocks.
5. With the roof supporting the weight, go to the stern.
6. Lift and push the stern onto the rear foam blocks.
7. Turn the kayak 90 degrees to align with the car.
8. Remove the protective blanket.
9. Attach and tighten the ratchet straps over the kayak securely.

This step-by-step method allows you to safely lift and rotate the kayak into place. Positioning it properly on the foam blocks distributes the weight before strapping it down tight.

Step 4 – How to Secure the Kayak to the Rack/Car

1. Open both front doors.
2. Lay one strap over the kayak lined up with the front noodle.
3. Spread the strap evenly across the width of the car.
4. Thread the strap through the front doors.
5. Sitting inside, pull the strap through and center the buckle.
6. Tighten the strap with the ratchet, but don’t overtighten.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 for the rear strap and back doors.
8. Check that the kayak doesn’t move side-to-side or front-back.
9. If it does, tighten the front and back straps a little more until there is no kayak movement.

The goal is to evenly distribute the straps across the width of the car and tighten just enough to secure the kayak firmly without crushing it. Start loose and tighten as needed for a safe DIY rack!

How to Transport a Kayak Without a Roof Rack – Wrapping Things Up