How to Tie down a Kayak or Two Kayaks With Retractable Ratchet Straps

Here’s a quick guide for tying down kayaks of any weight or size to car tops with retractable kayak tie down straps.

Wondering if you can secure a kayak or two of them on the top of your car without them falling off on the highway? Absolutely! This article will guide you through eight simple steps to load and tie down a kayak or TWO kayaks using retractable ratchet straps. Let’s hit the road!

Read more: Retractable Ratchet Straps vs Traditional Ratchet Straps

How to tie down a kayak?

First, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need to tie down your kayak:

1. A hollowed foam roller or pool noodle (seriously, they are a life saver.)

2. A roof rack

3. The straps we would recommend using to tie down your kayak are the 1 in x 10 ft retractable ratchet straps. You can find the straps here. Each ratchet strap can handle up to 500LBS/227KG in Working Load Limit and 1,500LBS/680KG in Breaking Strength.

Read more: Breaking Strength vs Working Load Limit

4. Soft loops (optional)

Step 1: Prep the roof rack 

We’re about to get creative here. Take one of the retractable straps and run it through the middle of a hollowed foam roller or pool noodle, and attach it to the base of your roof racks. Tighten it up to create a nice, tight surface for your kayak to rest on. This hack keeps your kayak from rubbing against your car’s paint.

Video instruction: Solo Kayak Loading Hack – Car Top 100lbs in 2min

Step 2: Lift the kayak

Use the kayak’s nose as the pivot point. Lift the back of the kayak and place it on the foam roller, keeping one hand on it for stability. Then, carefully lift the front, making sure to maintain control and support the whole time.

Step 3: Center The Kayak 

Scoot that kayak onto the roof racks, making sure it’s nicely centered and lined up. Once everything looks good, you can release the retractable strap on the foam roller or pool noodle, and say goodbye to them – their job is done for now.

Step 4: Tie-Down Time

This step’s optional, but if you want to use soft loops as anchor points, it’s definitely safer than hooking your strap straight to the bar. If you’re going with soft loops, just wrap one around the roof rack bar and attach your retractable ratchet strap to the loop. Repeat on the other side. For extra safety, we recommend doing this on both the front and rear of the kayak.

Step 5: Ratchet Action!

Once the straps are in place, it’s time to strap down the kayak. Give the ratchet handle a few good pumps until it feels nice and tight. Just don’t overdo it—you don’t want to damage the kayak or your car roof.

Step 6: Check Stability

Give the kayak a little shake to see if it’s moving around too much. The goal is to keep it secure and steady for the whole trip. If it’s wobbly, just readjust and tighten the straps until it’s nice and stable.

Step 7: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Retractable ratchet straps do a great job keeping things stable, but it’s important to drive responsibly to minimize any risks. Avoid speeding and sudden braking since those can stress the straps and might make them less effective. Keep it smooth and controlled for a safe and worry-free trip.

Step 8: Stay Alert and Enjoy

Keep an eye on those tie-downs as you travel. Bumps and vibrations can loosen them up, so adjust as needed. Enjoy the ride, knowing your kayak is secure and ready for your next water adventure!

Unloading the Kayak From The Car Top

You’ve made it to your destination, and it’s time to free your kayak from its roof-top perch. Carefully release the straps and loosen them gradually. Just make sure you hold onto your kayak securely while you do it.

Once the tie-downs are completely loosened, grab your foam roller or pool noodle and retractable ratchet strap like in Step 1. As you lift the kayak off the car, pay attention to its position and what’s around you. Watch out for obstacles like the side mirror or anything else nearby to avoid any bumps or accidents. Keep safety in mind for both you and the kayak while unloading.

How to tie down 2 kayaks on roof rack?

“Should I put both kayaks on the roof rack and strap them down together, or is it better to strap them individually? Do I need separate straps for each kayak?” These might be the questions that pop into your head when you have two kayaks to tie down on your car roof. 

A common mistake people make is thinking that simply throwing a couple of straps over both kayaks will do the job. But this can lead to instability and potential danger while driving. 

And we certainly don’t want any of your gear taking flight on the highway. To make sure your trip is as safe as it is fun, we have included every info you need to know about to tie down 2 kayaks on your car roof rack safely. Let’s dive in! (Spoiler: experts recommend using four retractable ratchet straps. Two for each kayak!)

What do you need to tie down 2 kayaks?

• A J rack  
• Kayak tie down straps
• (Optional) Soft loops
• (Optional) Towel, mat, rug, hollowed foam roller, pool noodle or even a jacket to avoid scratches on your car when you lift up your kayak.

Tie down 2 kayaks on roof rack

Step 1: Consider a J rack

We’re not the only ones who think getting a J rack is safer—kayakers on Reddit seem to agree!

Step 2: Load the first kayak onto the rack

With the help of a partner, lift the first kayak onto the roof rack and position it on its side against the kayak stacker or foam block. Make sure it’s nicely centered and lined up!

Step 3: Pull out the strap

Press the release button and pull the handle to the release slot around 80-90° depending on the straps you use.

Step 4: Hook the strap on the roof rack

If there’s no obvious place to hook the strap, use a soft loop strap for an anchor point. Hook the strap onto the roof rack or the soft loop strap, then gently carry it over to the other side and secure it by hooking it there as well. Do the same thing for both the front and rear tie-downs.

Step 5: Tighten the strap

When you feel good about how the kayak is placed, you can start tightening the straps. Press the release button, and pull the ratchet handle up and down until it feels tight enough!

Step 6: Lock the ratchet strap

Pull down the handle to lock position to make sure it’s locked in!

Step 7: Load the second kayak onto the roof rack

Repeat the process with the second kayak, placing it next to the first kayak. Both kayaks should be positioned on their sides, leaning against the stackers or blocks.

Step 8: Strap down the second kayak

Hook the strap, tighten it, and lock it in!

Final Checks

Shake each kayak gently to ensure they are securely fastened. There should be minimal movement.

Tips from our experts

1. Two straps for one kayak

Tying down two or more kayaks with just one strap might seem easier and more economical, but it’s risky. The kayaks can shift during transport, and trust us, it’s not worth putting your safety on the line!

2. Avoid Over-Tightening

We definitely don’t want anything happening to your kayaks, like seeing them fly off the highway because they weren’t tied tight enough, or getting cracked from being strapped down too hard. If you’re unsure about how tight the straps should be, try giving your kayak a gentle shake before you set out. Ideally, it shouldn’t move much at all — that’s when you know it’s just right.

3. Factors to consider when choosing kayak tie down straps

• Length and width
• material and durability
• strength and load capacity

Best kayak tie down straps

Read more: What Are The Different Types of Ratchet Straps?

Let’s sum it up!

We hope you find this guide helpful, and are ready for your kayak journey. Strapinno’s retractable ratchet strap is like no other- it automatically retracts, built to last a lifetime. Grab yourself a pair, and secure your kayaks with no more threading straps or tying ends off! And remember to check the kayak tie down straps periodically. That way, you’ll keep both your car and your kayak (and yourself!) safe and sound.

FAQs

1. Can you stack two kayaks on a roof rack?

Yes! Just make sure your roof rack is designed to support the weight and size of two kayaks. 

2. How tight should the straps be?

The straps should be tight enough to secure the items without allowing movement but not so tight that they damage them.

3. What straps are best for tying down a kayak?

We would recommend using retractable ratchet straps because they automatically retract! And they are safer than the regular ratchet straps because there’s no excessive strap flopping around when you drive on the highway!

4. Can you use ratchet straps to tie down a kayak?

Yes! Ratchet straps make it easy to adjust the strap’s tension for the perfect tightness.

You can even consider using retractable ratchet straps to save you some time tying off the excessive straps or threading the straps before use. After tightening the retractable straps, try flicking the strap and test out the resilience!

5. Can you strap a kayak without a rack?

Yes, you can strap a kayak to your car without a rack, but you’ll need to take extra precautions to ensure it’s secured safely. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Use Foam Blocks or Pool Noodles: These act as a makeshift rack to cushion the kayak and protect the roof of your car. Place them under the kayak to distribute its weight evenly.

2. Position the Kayak: Center the kayak on the roof of your car, hull up, ensuring it’s stable on the foam blocks or noodles.

3. Secure with Straps: Use cam buckle straps, ratchet straps, or retractable ratchet straps to tie down the kayak. Run the straps over the kayak and through the car doors or windows (not through the car if you can help it, as this can compress and damage the door seals or affect window operation).

4. Tighten and Check: Tighten the straps so that the kayak is snugly fit without being overly tight, which can deform the kayak. Close the doors and give the kayak a gentle shake to check stability. It shouldn’t shift when you move it.

5. Use Bow and Stern Lines: For added security, tie lines from the front and back of the kayak to the towing hooks or under the car’s bumper to prevent the kayak from shifting forward or backward.

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Going on a kayaking trip soon? Ensure the safety of your vehicle and watercraft with Strapinno’s retractable ratchet straps! Shop them now at Strapinno.com.