How to Tie Down a Kayak

If you’re transporting a kayak on the roof of your car, it’s important you tie it down properly so it doesn’t get damaged or come off during the trip. Tying down your kayak is easy once you get the hang of it, but always take the time to make sure your kayak is strapped down securely before you take off.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Getting the Right Supplies

  1. Padding will prevent your roof rack from damaging your kayak during your drive. You can use padding blocks that sit on top of the roof rack bars, or you can use padding that wraps around and hook-and-loop fastener over the bars. [1] [2]
    • You can find roof rack padding online or at your local sporting goods store.
  2. Using straps designed specifically for tying down kayaks on cars will make tying down your kayak easier and safer. Straps with cam buckles will let you tighten your kayak to your roof rack without over-tightening it and potentially damaging it. Look for kayak straps online or at your local sporting goods store. [3]
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  3. Bow and stern lines are straps or ropes used to secure the bow and stern of your kayak to your car. Bow and stern lines will prevent your kayak from lifting up and detaching from your car while you’re driving. Use bow and stern lines with a cam buckle or ratchet attached so you can easily tighten them into place.
    • You can find bow and stern lines online or at your local sporting goods store.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Tying Your Kayak to the Roof Rack

  1. You may need someone to help you lift it. The bow (front) of your kayak should be at the front of your car, and the stern (back) of your kayak should be at the back. [4]
  2. Move the kayak forward or back on the roof rack as needed until the middle of the kayak is centered between the two roof rack bars. Then, make sure the kayak is centered between the two sides of your car. You don’t want your kayak to be closer to one side of the car than the other.
  3. You should be looping the bare end of the strap under the roof rack bar. Leave the end of the strap with the cam buckle attached hanging on the other side of the car. Once you’ve looped the end of the strap under the roof rack bar, pull the slack at the end of the strap up in your hand so it’s in a bundle. [5]
  4. If you have someone helping you, they can stand on the other side and grab the strap when you throw it. Otherwise, walk around to the other side of your car and grab the end of the strap you just threw over. [6]
  5. You should use the same roof rack bar, but on the opposite side of the kayak. Loop it under the same way you did on the other side of the car. [7]
  6. This will close off the strap and secure your kayak to the roof rack bar you’re working on. Insert the bare end of the strap through the slot in the cam buckle and pull it through with your hand. Keep pulling the strap through until all of the slack is through the cam buckle.
  7. To tighten the strap, pull on the bare end of the strap so more slack comes through the cam buckle. You want the strap tight enough that your kayak won’t shift around while you’re driving, but not so tight that you damage your kayak. [8]
  8. Loop the bare end of the strap under the bar, throw it over the kayak to the other side, loop it under the bar again, and then run it through the cam buckle. Tighten the strap so your kayak is secure. [9]
  9. After you wrap the ends around the bars, tie several secure knots so they stay in place. If you drive with the ends loose, they could get stuck in your tires and cause your kayak and roof rack to rip off your car.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Tying Down the Bow and Stern

  1. Insert the hook at the end of the bow line through the loop on the carrying handle at the end of your kayak. Make sure the hook is secure. [10]
  2. The tow hook should look like a small metal ring underneath the bumper of your car. Don’t hook the bow line to the plastic part of your bumper or you could damage your car. [11]
    • If your car doesn’t have a tow hook, you may need to get a hood loop strap to use instead. Hood loop straps attach to the bolt heads under your hood. After you’ve bolted it on, close the hood so the fabric loop part of the strap is sticking out from the hood. Hook the bow line to that loop.
  3. If your bow line has a cam buckle, pull the line through the cam buckle to tighten the line. If your bow line has a ratchet, crank the ratchet up and down until the line is tightened. [12]
    • Don’t make the bow line too tight or you could damage your kayak. You should still be able to move your kayak up and down on the roof of your car with your hand.
  4. Hook the end of the stern line to the carrying handle on the back end of your kayak. Then, hook the other end of the line to the tow hook underneath your back bumper, or to the hitch on your car. If you don’t have a tow hook or hitch, you may need to install a hitch so you have something to hook the stern line to.
  5. Take the loose ends of the bow and stern lines and wrap them around the rest of the line. Once all the slack is wrapped up, tie multiple knots so the loose ends don't come unraveled.
    • Never drive with the loose ends of the bow and stern lines dangling. They could get caught in your tire and cause your kayak and roof rack to come off.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I protect the paint of my car when mounting a kayak?
    Ky Furneaux
    Survival and Outdoors Expert
    Ky Furneaux is a survival expert, outdoor guide, and professional stuntwoman based in Australia. She’s been featured in over 100 films and TV productions, and has hosted, produced, and participated in some of the most extreme TV survival shows including MTV’s Made and Discovery’s Naked and Afraid. She has authored 5 survival books, including "The Superwoman’s Survival Guide" and "Survive: The All-In-One Guide to Staying Alive in Extreme Conditions", with the goal of sharing her knowledge of survival techniques with others. As an accomplished stuntwoman, she won a Taurus Award in 2012 for Best Female Stunt Performer and has doubled stars like Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Jaime Alexander, and Sharon Stone.
    Ky Furneaux
    Survival and Outdoors Expert
    Expert Answer
    Just make sure you have the right equipment. Use a high-quality roof rack system with padded crossbars. The padding acts as a cushion between the kayak and your car, preventing scratches or scuffs when loading or driving. If your roof rack doesn’t come with built-in padding, you can easily wrap it with foam pipe insulation or buy specialized pads that fit over the bars. Also, wash your kayak thoroughly before mounting it, especially after using it in saltwater or muddy conditions. Doing this helps remove grit, sand, and any residue that could scratch your car’s paint. It’s an easy way to prevent damage and paint erosion before it even starts.
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      Things You’ll Need

      • Roof rack
      • Kayak straps
      • Rack cushions
      • Bow and Stern Lines

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about outdoor survival skills, check out our in-depth interview with Ky Furneaux .

      References

      1. ↑ Ky Furneaux. Survival and Outdoors Expert. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/how-to-transport-a-kayak/
      3. ↑ http://www.austinkayak.com/blog/2010/10/dont-kill-your-kayak/
      4. ↑ https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/how-to-transport-a-kayak/
      5. ↑ https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/how-to-transport-a-kayak/
      6. ↑ https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/how-to-transport-a-kayak/
      7. ↑ https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/how-to-transport-a-kayak/
      8. ↑ https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/how-to-transport-a-kayak/
      9. ↑ https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/how-to-transport-a-kayak/
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htsyubu8EHc&feature=youtu.be&t=43
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htsyubu8EHc&feature=youtu.be&t=53
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htsyubu8EHc&feature=youtu.be&t=62

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To tie down a kayak, place it right side up on your roof rack and center it. 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. Tie the straps down with cam buckles to secure the kayak. Hook a bow line from the front of your kayak to the tow hook under your front bumper, then tie a stern line to the back of your kayak and attach it to the tow hook beneath your rear bumper. For more help, including how to get cam buckles and lines, read on!

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