Car-Top Kayak Rack for Around Ten Bucks

This instructable will show you how to make a car-top rack for hauling your kayak for about ten dollars.

Step 1 Get some pool noodles.

I bought two pool noodles from the dollar store.  Then I used a sharp knife to cut them to that each piece was approximately as long as the width of my car's roof.

Comments

[Verga]

I have to echo the above comments: Do Not try this method under any circumstance. I have seen canoes go cartwheeling off a car using a similar set-up fortunately there was no one behind.
Use Quality ratchet straps with a rating 5-7 times that of the weight of your load. The wind will provide much more lift than you think and it is better to be safe than sorry.

[blackcamo]

not a bad idea at all, I think you just need to replace bungee cords with something
more reliable. I actually know that someone lost his kayak while suddenly breaking and that was with proper roof rack, just poor straps. In the event like that your kayak becomes a missile in a split second. be safe!

[ski2moro]

This Instructable is dangerous and irresponsible.

In the event you have a collision at 70 mph or 50 mph or even 35 mph, your boat will become a projectile. Remember, Newton's Law of Motion - "Things in motion stay in motion until acted upon by an outside force." It's not just a good idea, it's the law!

1. Your straps from the dollar store are not strong enough to hold under this kind of force if they have plastic buckles. That's why Thule and Yakima have metal buckles. What strength are the straps capable of holding? Webbing straps have ratings for a reason.

2. You have placed the kayak on ROUND pool noodles, just ready to roll off. The REAL kayak/canoe foam pieces are rectangular for a reason. (Hint - no rolling.)

3. There is no way that you can tighten these straps enough to keep this from sliding. If you have an accident, the straps will slide around in the window opening.

4. Your tie-downs front and back MUST be secure. Bungie cords are not strong enough for this.

5. The handle you tied the bungie cords to - is it meant to be a tie down? Or is it only a plastic handle with plastic points holding it to the boat?

6. Do you know the weight that your roof is capable of holding? If tightening down a ratchet strap is denting your roof, consider researching the weight your roof was designed to carry.

I'm not trying to be mean, but this whole idea is just dangerous. You are not only putting yourself at risk, your car and boat is at risk, too. My main concern is the danger of the other drivers on the road.

Please redesign this.

[LancasterPA]

Great solution for taking your kayak from one end of the drive way to the other. On the road?? You got to be kidding.

[bcardwell]

. I've carried boats this way with better tie downs and they've always come loose though I never actually lost the boat. This method will distort the door where the window frame is held away from the body and produce a huge leak for wind, dirt and rain to come into the car along the straps. Buy a properly fitted rack from Thule or Yakima. You may never appreciate it if you do but if your boat comes off and hits another car doing sixty mph it could kill people and you could do prison time for negligent homocide.

[farmsteader]

Very Good Simple solution! will try it out on our neighbors canoe on our pick up, it is a long brute , those pool floats will help a lot, thanks

[dezertbreez]

Thank you so much for sharing your creative idea! I didnt take kayak out last year at all and thought I was going to have to trade my depenable Honda for a pick up truck or trade my kayake for one you fill with air.