Unless you live directly on a beach or the bank of a river, you will need a way to transport your kayak to the place you want to kayak, or to take it with you on a vacation. Kayak racks are a good way to transport your kayak on the roof of your car – some will even carry multiple kayaks. Beyond the rack, you will want to buy certain other accessories to keep your kayak attached properly to the kayak rack. Here are the basics to buying a new kayak rack and securing your kayak.
Why should you buy a kayak rack in the first place? It is the cheapest way to store and transport your kayak. When you store your kayak in the garage, you want to keep it off the ground – which a kayak rack helps you do. You could carry your kayak in a trailer hitched to your car, but then you would have to rent or purchase a trailer for your trips. On the other hand, a kayak rack simply attaches to the top of your car and you can carry your kayak easily for long trips.
A rooftop kayak rack only needs a base rack system. This system is made up of two horizontal metal bars that are attached to the top of the vehicle – they attach to factory-installed roof racks, raised side rails, and even bare rooftops with no racks or rails. You will want to shop around for a rack that will fit well on your car: some allow clearance for side gutters on vehicles, and others are made specifically for your car model.
Saddles and j-cradles are extra equipment needed to secure your kayak to its rack. Saddles are small padded platforms that the kayak sits on to be stabilized. J-cradles are paddle bars in the shape of a j that hold the kayak from the sides so that it won’t be warped, and can carry multiple kayaks. Buying a roof rack and the accessories offers you a cheap and safe way to transport your kayak to wherever you want to go.