How to Build a Roof Rack for a Canoe

If you own an ordinary sedan-type car with no luggage rack and you've got a canoe to transport, you can build a roof rack in no time with hardly any tools and for less than $20. Get rid of the idea that you need to screw or strap something to your car roof to get the job done. This rack attaches to the canoe.

Things You'll Need

  • Canoe
  • Car
  • 3 styrofoam swim noodles (the tube kind)
  • Tape measure
  • Knife with 6-inch long blade
  • Assistant to help lift canoe
  • Two 3-foot lengths of 1/2-inch cord
  • 2 ratcheting tie-down straps, 12 feet or longer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the canoe on the ground upright beside your car. Place two swim noodles beside the gunwales (sides) of the canoe, one on each side.

    • 2

      Measure the distance along the gunwale between the canoe's center thwart (crossbar) and the first thing that ties into the gunwale forward. Next measure from the center thwart backward to the seat bracket or thwart (whichever comes first). The distance will probably be longer toward the stern (back) and shorter toward the bow (front).

    • 3

      Cut four pieces of swim noodle to the lengths you measured in the last step--two going from the center toward the bow, two going center toward the stern. Slit the four noodle pieces lengthwise halfway through to the center hole.

    • 4

      Spread the noodles at the slits and wrap the over the gunwales of the canoe in front and back of the center thwart. This will pad the edges of the canoe where it will rest on top of the car.

    • 5

      Lift the canoe, with help from assistant, and turn it upside-down. Then place it on top of the cabin of the car. The bow (front) and stern (back) of the canoe should extend equally past the front and rear bumpers of the car. The canoe should rest entirely on the foam noodle padding.

    • 6

      Tie short loops through the rings in both ends of the canoe with the half-inch cord. Pass one ratchet tie-down strap through the loop at the front of the canoe and the other tie-down through the loop in the back. Working at the front end first, hook one end of the tie-down strap underneath the front bumper to the towing eye. There are usually two on each bumper, one on either side of the center. Attach the other hook to the towing eye on the opposite side of the same bumper. Ratchet the strap so it holds the hook, but is not tight. Repeat the same process at the rear bumper.

    • 7

      Slit the third noodle, again lengthwise to the center hole, with the knife. Cut this noodle into sections long enough to cover the areas where the tie-down straps rub against the car's hood and bumper. Wrap these noodle sections around the tie-downs and adjust over those contact points.

    • 8

      Ratchet the tie-downs tight. This four-point tie-down created by the straps going to the towing eyes provides a secure mount for the canoe. If tightened properly, you don't need straps across the middle.