How to Secure a Kayak on a Vehicle

Because both the hull and the bottom of a kayak are curved, it doesn't sit flat on top of a car roof. You need to build it a nest. It's relatively easy to tie a kayak to the roof, even if you don't have window rain gutters or a luggage rack to attach tie-downs across the center of the kayak; tying the ends down will secure the kayak.

Things You'll Need

  • Bag of bungee cords
  • 3 Styrofoam swimming "noodles" (two solid and one hollow)
  • Duct tape
  • Sharp knife
  • Bundle of zip ties
  • 2 Ratchet tie-down straps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay everything on the driveway next to your vehicle. Turn the kayak hull (bottom) up on the ground. Lay the two solid Styrofoam noodles on top of the hull with the ends overlapping, so the noodles form an oval. Tie the ends together with zip ties.

    • 2

      Wrap the zip ties with duct tape to keep the plastic ties from rubbing against the car or the hull of the boat. Make the oval large enough so the noodles rest against the hull halfway between the center point and the edges and ends of the kayak.

    • 3

      Set the Styrofoam noodle oval on top of the car and set the kayak upright on top of the oval. Make sure the noodles lift the kayak high enough that the hull clears the roof of the car by 2 inches or more to allow for the pressure of tying the boat down securely.

    • 4

      Find the two tow eyes underneath the front and rear bumpers of the car. These are metal loops that tied the vehicle to the assembly line during manufacture.

    • 5

      Hook the loose end of one of the ratchet tie-downs to one of the eyes under the right front bumper. Run the strap through the painter loop at the end of the kayak's bow, then back down. Attach the ratchet to the other eye under the left front bumper and loop the long strap through the ratchet pulley. It will make an upside-down "V". Ratchet it taut, but not tight. Don't pull down on the end of the boat. Do the same thing on the other end and barely tighten the straps.

    • 6

      Cut four short lengths of the remaining hollow foam noodle. Split the noodles halfway through. Wrap one of each around the straps where they touch the hood or roof of the car. The noodles will protect the car. Ratchet the tie-downs tight, alternating between the front and back, a few pulls at a time. The kayak will ride securely with a four-point tie-down.