DIY Homemade Kayak Car Top Carrier

There are many kayak carriers on the market that attach to your car. However, if money is tight, or if you simply don't want hardware that is permanently attached to your vehicle, you can make your own kayak car top carrier, with the same materials as some kayak rental stores. Using just an old boogie board, you can build a car top carrier in minutes, to transport your kayak without damaging your vehicle or your wallet.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Marker
  • Boogie board
  • Hacksaw
  • 2 tie-down straps with cam buckle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and mark out two 21-by-6-inch strips on the foam boogie board.

    • 2

      Cut out the two strips using the hacksaw.

    • 3

      Lay out the strips on your car so that one strip sits parallel to your front windshield and the other sits parallel to your rear windshield.

    • 4

      Place the kayak on the roof of the car so that the hull is facing up and the kayak rests on the foam strips.

    • 5

      Run one tie-down strap through the front scupper holes, which are the holes for bailing out water in your kayak. Roll down the windows of your car and take the the strap and run it through the vehicle.

    • 6

      Tighten the straps using the cam buckle by running the strap through the buckle and pulling on the end of the strap until it is tight.

    • 7

      Run the second tie-down strap through the back scupper holes, repeating steps 5 and 6.