How to Put a Kayak on a Roof Rack by Yourself

January 7, 2021

Mounting a kayak on a roof rack can be a challenging task if you are undertaking things yourself. However, there are some methods that make solo loading to a roof rack relatively straightforward. First and foremost, you should avoid the urge to try and lift your kayak directly from the ground to the roof. Even the most lightweight of kayaks will be too cumbersome for a single individual to comfortably and safely load from ground to roof.

How to Put a Kayak on a Roof Rack

A relatively easy way to carry a kayak individually is to place your shoulder within the edge of your cockpit. This distributes the weight of the hull evenly and allows you to handle the heavy load with ease. When you come to load your yak onto a roof rack, you should first position yourself at the rear end of your vehicle. Next, place the bow end of your kayak on the rear roof rack bar. Once the bow end of the yak has been safely and securely positioned, you can move to the stern side of the hull. Carefully lift the stern side of the yak and slide it gently forward until it is placed securely on the roof rack. You can adopt a similar approach to load your kayak to a roof rack from the side.

Lift assist products are an affordable option for those looking to make loading a kayak onto a vehicle a roof rack as simple as possible. This lift assist accessories can be mounted to the exterior of your vehicle via suction cups, providing you with a simple way to slide your yak onto the roof of your car with minimal effort. These loading assists will also ensure that the finish of your vehicle is not damaged by coming into contact with the hull of your kayak. When you have positioned your kayak onto the roof of your car, these accessories can be removed from the bodywork of your car and stored away in your trunk until you need them again. Always ensure that your kayak is securely tied to the roof rack with bow and stern lines. You should however avoid securing these lines with too much tension.