Cartopping
Fitting Out Your BoatLosing a boat off your car is a nightmare scenario. Here are some tips on how to keep boat and car from flying down the highway in close formation.
Roof Racks - My first set of roof racks came from a car parts store. They were made of thin stamped metal, and fastening them to the flimsy raingutters of my parents' Pontiac Parisienne required a wrench and considerable patience. They dented the roof of the car and tended to come loose from the raingutters, so a cobweb of tie-downs was essential to keep my boat from fluttering away.
Years later I finally gave in and bought a pair of racks from one of the high-end manufacturers. What a difference! I can now carry two 19-foot kayaks on my 12-foot long Suzuki with absolute peace of mind. The cost is sobering, but even the stingiest boaters I know have been forced to admit that the added convenience and security of good racks is worth the money.
I endorse the Thule and Yakima brands; I've used both on a variety of vehicles. Since today's wheeled conveyances come with such sleek roofs, be sure to get the mounts made to fit your car - the store will have a chart to help you select the right ones. If you buy a new car later, you'll only need to get a new mounting kit.
If you transport your boat only rarely, foam cradles that rest on the top of the car are an inexpensive alternative to high-end rack systems, but I wouldn't do much highway driving with them.
Straps - Use quality tie-down straps with a simple, reliable metal cam lock. Avoid the ratcheting buckles used on boat trailers and truck straps - they're clumsy and can damage your boat. One of the great things about Thule and Yakima racks is the strength of their connection to the car. For short trips I feel comfortable simply strapping the boat to the crossbars of the racks and leaving it at that. See the sketch for the proper way to strap a hull to the racks. Make sure that the straps pass inboard of the rack mounts - this way, even if the straps loosen up they won't slip off.
Bow and stern lines add great security for highway trips. Just be sure not to make them too tight! All cars flex a little, but your wood-composite boat does not; if the bow and stern lines are taut you can damage the boat.
See our selection of transportation options including foam cradles, hull cradles, tie-down straps, Thule products and trailers.