How to Haul Your Kayak: A Quick Guide

You’re ready to enjoy a day on the river, but how are you going to get your kayak from here to there? How are you going to haul your kayak?

Read on for several ways you can transport your kayak.

Truck Bed

An open truck bed is arguably the easiest way to transport your kayak. Open your tailgate, and load the kayaks in.

The number of kayaks you’re able to fit in a truck bed depends on the type of truck– some can comfortably fit four, others only two.

Once the kayaks are loaded, lift the noses up so that you can latch the tailgate.

Secure the boats to the truck using bungee cords. Each kayak should be held in place so that it does not move when you push or pull on it.

The last thing you want is for a boat to blow out as you drive down the road.

A red flag should also be tied to the end of at least one of the kayaks to help it stand out in traffic.

Roof Rack

Roof racks are a convenient way to transport your kayak using your car or SUV. There are several different styles of roof rack worth considering.

J-style racks are a popular model for transporting a single kayak.

These racks fold down when not in use, meaning you can leave them connected and ready to go for your next kayaking adventure.

J-style racks hold your kayak at a 45-degree angle across the roof of your vehicle, allowing for a small amount of storage on either side of your yak.

Horizontal racks hold your kayak into place horizontally, with the bottom of your kayak resting flush against the roof of your vehicle.

These racks are fairly aerodynamic, positioning your kayak in a way that helps reduce drag.

Horizontal racks are great for transporting a single kayak.

Vertical kayak racks are another option. These racks require you to slide your kayak in on its side, so the name is slightly misleading– it’s not a truly vertical rack.

That small detail aside, these racks are great for accommodating families or small groups, as they can hold up to four kayaks.

Lift-assisted racks are particularly convenient if you do a lot of solo kayaking. Many of these racks feature hooks that slide down, allowing you to easily attach your kayak to the rack.

The rack then handles the bulk of the weight of lifting the kayak onto the roof of your vehicle.

This is an excellent option for anyone who isn’t confident that they can lift their kayak on their own.

>> See a great selection of Kayak Racks on Amazon

Foam Mount

Foam mounts are remarkably simple. They consist of either two or four pieces of foam, depending on the model.

If using a two-piece model, the foam is usually long and thin with an inverted slope, designed to serve as a rest for the bottom of your kayak.

The four-piece model usually comes with a small slit in each piece of foam that you will slide the sides of your kayak into.

Regardless of the model of foam, the purpose of the foam is to serve as a barrier between your yak and your vehicle.

You will still need rope and bungees to help securely latch your kayak into place.

Trailer

A trailer is right up there with a truck bed in terms of ease of use. Open your trailer’s tailgate, or lift the kayaks over the side and into the trailer bed.

Secure them with bungee cords so they don’t move around during transport, and you’re ready to go.

>> See a great selection of Kayak Trailers on Amazon

Conclusion

Transporting your kayak is an important step to master before getting on the water. You need to be able to move your kayak safely to and from the location you’ll be paddling.

Be sure to choose the right method of transport for your vehicle and preference.

This quick guide on how to haul your kayak should help get you started.