Transporting Canoes by Car

• Inexpensive
  
• Easy to install
  
• Easy to remove
  
  Cons
  
• More susceptible to boat theft
  
• Not recommended for frequent use, longer trips or journeys that involve rough driving terrain
• Roof-mounted rack systems
  Thule and Yakima make the most popular roof-mounted systems which can be fitted to almost any regular-sized car, truck or van. They generally consist of a rack, made up of four towers and two bars, which accommodates various gear-hauling attachments.
  
  

• Towers and bars
  Most roof-mounted rack systems begin with towers (also known as "feet")--short, sturdy vertical supports that secure the rack to the car and keep equipment off of the car's roof. These towers are usually held in place by clamps, though some are permanently attached to the roof itself. Bars are the horizontal poles that run between the towers width-wise across your vehicle to form the platform on which attachments are secured and equipment is loaded.
  
  
• Attachments
  There are a number of different rack attachments that can be screwed, clamped or otherwise fastened onto rack bars. These attachments allow you to carry boats and other gear safely and securely on a single rack. Canoes are sometimes strapped directly to rack bars (gunwales down) and held in place with nylon straps. But special bracket attachments (which typically come with straps) provide a safer, more secure hold, bracing the canoe gunwales firmly in position on the bars before the boat is strapped down.
  
  
• Factory racks
  If your vehicle already has factory-installed roof rack, you may need to buy a universal mount adapter that lets you add attachments to its bars. However, some attachments come with universal mounts, so check that out before you buy an adapter you don't need.
  
  

• Safer, more secure
  
• More stable
  
• Can carry other gear, as well
  
  Cons
  
• More complicated installation
  
• Not as easy to take on and off
• Loading Tips
  
  The basic two-person procedure
  Starting with the boat gunwale-side down, use a standard two-person overhead lift. Once you've lifted the canoe over your heads, carry it over until it's directly above your rack, then set it down gently (inside the rack brackets, if they are being used). Once it's up there, be sure to center it fore and aft.
  
  Tie-down strategies
  
  Tie-down straps
  Most roof rack attachments and foam block carriers come with the nylon straps necessary to secure your canoe. These straps feature reliable, self-locking cam buckles that are easy to use and quick to cinch down, providing excellent overall grip. Most of these straps will have some sort of padding directly underneath the buckle (where it makes contact with the canoe hull) to help minimize hull damage during transport. Tie off the extra length of strap directly above the buckle once it's been cinched tight for added security in case the buckle releases while you're driving.
  
  Ropes
  Unless you're confident in your knot-tying ability, nylon tie-down straps with cam-buckles are preferred for their ease of use and reliability. If rope is all you have, make sure it's non-stretch and water-resistant. It should be "seasoned" (brand new ropes tend to stretch), non-slick (slippery ropes tend to come untied), and non-elastic (even when pulled tight, elastic lines and bungee cords can expand under pressure and let go of a boat).
  
  Basic securing procedures
  No matter what type of tie-downs you use, follow these basic procedures whenever you secure your canoe to a roof rack:

• Use at least two lines or straps to hold the body of your canoe in place. These lines should run across your car width-wise.
  
  
• It's also a good idea to secure both ends of the canoe to your vehicle's bumpers. There are bow/stern tie-down sets that feature easy-to-use ratcheting systems, or you can simply use a standard nylon tie-down strap.

• Pre-driving check
  Make sure your boat is securely fastened to your rack before you leave home. Also check it occasionally throughout your drive, since wind and road vibrations may cause straps to loosen slightly and some boats can soften up when exposed to the heat of the sun.
  
  To check your canoe, grab hold of either end of the boat and shake it from side to side. If it's truly secure, the entire car should shift instead of just the boat. Inspect both bumper lines each time you check your boat.
  
  
• On the road
  Always drive cautiously when carrying your canoe; they can affect the handling of some cars in high winds or at high speeds, so keep your speed down.
  
  Make sure your boat is centered on your vehicle properly so that it doesn't impair your view of the road. And always be mindful of your spacing between other cars if the ends of your canoe extend beyond the ends of your vehicle.