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How to Transport Your Kayak

These handy tips will make transporting your kayak to and from the water safe and easy.

5 Min. Watch | Paddling

Whether you’re heading out for a short paddle on your local pond or on a multiday kayak camping trip, you need to get your kayak safely to the water. We’ll show you how to load a kayak onto your car and a trailer as well how to carry it to and from the water from your vehicle.

Loading Onto the Roof of Your Car

Using a J-style Kayak Carrier

We strongly recommend having a friend's help to get the kayak onto your car. This will help prevent damage to you, your car or your kayak! Always lift with your legs to avoid straining your back. One important note: it’s fine to load your boat directly onto your racks if it’s made from polyethylene (otherwise known as plastic), which is most recreational kayaks. It's a good idea to use foam blocks that attach to the load bars to protect the kayak.

Loading by Yourself Onto a Roof Rack

We recommend using assistance like a roller loader that affixes to the rear load bar. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing and loading all racks and carriers for your kayak. Place the boat behind the car and lift the bow up so it’s resting on the roller. Now pick up the stern and simply slide the kayak up and onto the racks. Secure the kayak to the racks with straps. Tie-down straps with cam buckles make this super-easy. Secure your kayak using the rack and kayak manufacturer’s instructions. Regardless of the type of boat being loaded on your roof rack, bow and stern lines should always be used when transporting a boat on the roof of a vehicle.

Using a Trailer

This is the easiest way to get your kayak around. Kayak trailers are light, easy to handle and can be towed by just about any vehicle. Best of all, you don’t have to lift your boat high to get it on the rack. Just like a car roof rack, you can load it with a friend or by yourself using the same techniques we just showed you. Your car needs to be equipped with a trailer hitch to tow a trailer. To properly attach the trailer and load your kayak, please follow all manufacturer instructions.

Using a Trailer

This is the easiest way to get your kayak around. Kayak trailers are light, easy to handle and can be towed by just about any vehicle. Best of all, you don’t have to lift your boat high to get it on the rack. Just like a car roof rack, you can load it with a friend or by yourself using the same techniques we just showed you. Your car needs to be equipped with a trailer hitch to tow a trailer. To properly attach the trailer and load your kayak, please follow all manufacturer instructions.

Getting Your Kayak to and from the Water

By Hand

Like loading onto your car, carrying it to the water is easiest if you have a friend.

Most boats have bow and stern grab handles, making it easy for two people to carry the kayak. If you’re alone, get it off the rack by reversing the steps you used to load it. You can carry it like a briefcase. Or you can lift it so the padded coaming of the cockpit is resting onto your shoulder.

Using a Boat Cart

A boat cart is the easiest way to move your kayak around by yourself. You can quickly attach one to the stern of your kayak using the included straps. They have two wheels, so all you have to do is lift up the bow with the grab handle and roll it to the water. Make sure the kayak is and centered and securely attached to the cart or it could come loose on rough terrain. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions.

Planning some paddling adventures? Get outfitted with everything you need:

Kayaks Canoes Paddleboards

Life Jakcets & PFDs Active Clothing

Roof Racks Kayak Accessories

Planning some paddling adventures? Get outfitted with everything you need:

Kayaks

Canoes

Paddleboards

Life Jakckets & PFDs

Active Clothing

Roof Racks

Kayak Accessories

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