Every canoeist should know how to transport their canoe to a river without damaging it. In this guide, I will explain the proper way of tying a canoe to the roof of your vehicle.
Canoe On Top Of Car
When it comes to tying a canoe boat to a car, there are several different options, and it all depends on whether or not you have a roof rack.
You can tie the canoe on the roof without a roof rack, but having one just makes things easier. It provides more stability and a secure tie-down. Let’s start the guide by lifting the canoe!
The Proper Way To Lift The Canoe To The Top Of Your Vehicle’s Roof
You should transport a canoe upside down, the hull pointing towards the top. Be careful not to slide it across the paint, as it can scratch and cause damage to your car.
Rope Or Cam Straps
I, personally like cam straps because they are easy to use and unlike ratchet straps, they won’t scratch your canoe with their buckle.
However, using a strap with wrong buckle can cause damage to the padding around the outside of your door frame. Another option is to use rope.
If you know how to tie the right knots, you will have no problem using rope. It’s important to use a rope that won’t stretch when it’s wet.
Transport A Canoe On A Vehicle With A Roof Rack
If your vehicle has a roof rack, transporting the canoe will become much more manageable. Ensure the rack is in good condition, firmly attached, and has crossbars.
Once you’ve made sure that these three conditions are met, follow the steps below to tie your canoe to the roof rack:
Lift and place the canoe on the top of your vehicle. You can do it by yourself for lower vehicles, but I suggest doing it with a friend for large cars.
Place a cloth between the gunwales on the canoe and racks to protect them.
Balance the canoe on the crossbars so it does not tip forward or backward. The yoke should be centered between the two crossbars.
Throw the non-buckle end of the strap to the other side of the vehicle.
You want to secure both the front and back of the canoe with a bow and stern line.
Take the non-buckle end, wrap the strap around and underneath the bar on that side, and fasten it to the cam.
Tighten each so the canoe is firmly tied down and won’t budge at all, because the canoe is gonna move in the wind, especially on the highway.
Once the straps are tight, you might want to tie off any loose ends on the back and front so they won’t flap around in the wind.
Try shaking the canoe with two hands to check if it’s secure, and you are all set to drive off.
Transport A Canoe On A Vehicle Without A Roof Rack
If your vehicle doesn’t have a roof rack, you can still transport a canoe safely. All you need is foam blocks that are specifically designed for this purpose.
Now, Follow these steps to tie a canoe on your car:
Secure the foam blocks to each end of the canoe halfway between the yoke and the thwarts while the canoe is on the ground.
- Either by yourself or with the help of a person, lift the canoe up and place it on top of your vehicle.
Once the canoe on top of your vehicle, you need to loop the cam straps or rope all the way through your vehicle’s windows or doors.
Pull the strap and tighten off any loose ends to avoid risking any mishaps.
Do one final check to make sure the canoe is well connected to the car and you are all set to hit the road.
Transporting Two Canoes
Assuming your crossbar is big enough to accommodate two canoes, you can safely transport them both.
Just be sure to tie down each canoe to the middle of the crossbar. You will need four cam straps for each canoe.
Tying With The Trucker’s Hitch Method
If you are using a rope to tie you canoe to your vehicle then you should learn what’s called the “trucker’s hitch.” This method will give you extra leverage in securing heavy load onto the rack of your car.
Simply create a loop and put the bunny ear through the loop, then do it one more time so it doesn’t slip on you. Pass this through the loop and use a slip knot to hold it.
Closing Thoughts
And there you have it! The entire process of tying a canoe to the roof of your car. Remember, it’s your responsibility to be sure your canoe is tied down securely.
You don’t want to cause damage or injury to your own paddle gear or your friends who are sharing the road with you.
