Transporting & Storing Your Kayak
If you have flat rack bars, place your kayak either upside down or on edge to lessen the chance
of distortion. If you have specially designed kayak carriers as part of an aftermarket rack
system, follow the rack manufacturer’s instructions. For most touring kayaks, place the car top
racks under the boat's bulkheads, where the hull is strongest. If that is impossible, place the
bars or attachments as close to the bulkheads as you can get them. Don’t forget to securely tie
the kayak to the roof rack as tight as possible to avoid movement, but not so tight that you risk
distorting the hull-shape of your boat.
As an additional margin of safety, loosely tie down the ends of the kayak by running a rope
from the grab loops or security bars to the front and back bumpers of your car. Don’t leave
your kayak tied to the top of your car for a long period of time unless it is in transport, and
always remember that distortion created by improper storage or transportation is com-
pounded by excessive exposure to heat.
1. Always store your kayak indoors or under cover, and out of direct sunlight
2. Store kayak on edge, upside down, standing or hanging horizontally
3. When hanging, run straps around boat near the cockpit, not around ends
4. Run lockable cables through drainage holes for added security
5. Do not hang with bottom facing down, from drainage holes or handles
(may cause distortion)
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