Homemade Kayak Rack for Your Vehicle

Most SUVs and other vehicles suitable for transporting kayaks to the kind of places kayaks need to go come with a simple luggage rack. Unfortunately, kayak hulls and decks are curved and don't sit securely on a flat luggage rack crossbar. You need to make them a little nest that supports the curve of the hull so it sits securely when you bungee cord it into place. Here's a quick solution.

  1. Materials

    • The easiest way to pad down a kayak is with a pair of those ubiquitous foam swim "noodles" you find in virtually every pool in the land. You can pick up a pair at the local discount store for a few bucks. Get the kind with a hole down the center. Cut them to the width of the luggage rack, then wrap the ends with duct tape about a foot or so from the end. You'll need a knife, and two pair of zip ties to finish the job.

    Seating the Noodles

    • Use a sharp knife to cut halfway through the noodles into the hollow core. Start on the inside of the duct tape and cut a line along one side of the noodle to the duct tape at the other end. This should leave 12 to 16 inches of uncut noodle on either end. Pry open the cut in each noodle like a pair of jaws and wrap them around the luggage rack crossbar. The uncut ends will stick up at an angle and the middle of the noodle will be lower forming a smile-shape into which the kayak can settle.

    Attaching the Noodles

    • Use you zip ties to secure the noodles just inside the uncut ends marked by the duct tape. Pull them tight so the ends of the cut wrap securely around the noodle to hold it down against the crossbar. Now you have a foam-lined nest into which to nestle your kayak either hull down or hull up -- it doesn't matter. Throw some bungee cords over the top and secure the kayak tightly and you're ready to head for the river. The whole process takes about 30 minutes. If you want to remove the kayak pad later, simply snip the zip ties and store the noodles with some spare zip ties for next time.