How to Lash Down a Kayak

Before you paddle a kayak on the water, you need to get it to the water. This requires lashing the kayak down to your mode of transportation (car, SUV or truck). There are two typical methods of lashing the kayak to a vehicle: straps and foam chunks, or using a standard kayak rack with saddles and straps. Using foam chunks and straps is cheaper than buying a specialized rack.

Things You'll Need

  • Open cell foam chunks
  • Foam sleeping pad
  • Nylon ratchet straps
  • Small bungee cords
  • Red flagging tape (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spread the foam sleeping pad out over the roof of the vehicle. With a friend, lift the kayak up and onto the padding, making sure the kayak is upside down and that the combing rests squarely in the middle of the roof and on the pad.

    • 2

      Unroll the windows of the vehicle and thread the nylon straps through the windows and over the hull of the kayak. Make sure you use two sets of straps -- one in front and one in back.

    • 3

      Connect the nylon straps and tighten them down, making the kayak secure along the lateral axis.

    • 4

      Use the front kayak rope to tie it around the front bumper of the vehicle, or to a tow hook under the vehicle's front. Use bungee cords to tighten and secure the rear of the kayak to the tow hook or rear bumper.

    • 5

      Push the kayak back and forth to check for any slack.