How to strap a Canoe to roof racks - The best way to tie a canoe to your roof

Zack walks you through the best way to secure a canoe to roof racks. Using some handy cam buckle straps and some rope, he shows you how to strap your canoe down for a short trip or a long trip.

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[moddan]

I’d recommend not to throw the buckle to avoid accidental damage to your vehicle. Keep the buckle idle and throw the opposite side of the strap.

[paultyson]

I'm glad to see that you showed the most important step flicks strap ) "That's not going anywhere." 🤣😂🤣

[wendyrogers]

Thank YOU!! I was so nervous strapping my canoe to the top of my car for an annual trip to Algonquin Park (did I say I am 70 years old?) and with your easy to understand video I have done a perfect job!! Much appreciated

[jimmorrison]

With any secured load, I like to go 20 or 30 minutes down the road and check the load a second time. Motion and bumps often cause things to shift.

[jimquantic]

Thank you. One tip on the trucker's hitch, after taking the tension, wind one knot over, one under, cinch them together. They will never loosen up. Very nice video, thanks again.

[jimsteel]

If you use a flat strap, and there is a space between it and the keel, it will start to act as a reed and vibrate at highway speeds. The tighter it is, the higher the pitch. That was last year. This year I'm using 6mm climber's cord for all four attachment points. Good video, Zack.

[MarcTelesha]

I started tying the front and rear carry handles to the crossbars. It's super fast and also clear view of the road and no vibrations. I just use the cams on all 4 straps. Two on the top and two on the handles.

[kenseeley]

Very informative and to the point!
Thank you!!

[BrantShields-hw]

That's not going anywhere. Great video. Useful details but still concise. Thanks!

[scooper]

Very helpful. Thank you for posting this. I, too, struggled with finding an attachment points for the bow and stern tie-offs. Had no idea about the "quickie hood loop." A "game changer."

[zaviwaher]

I found that if I feed the strap around the rack bars one side once creates a stopper for canoe moving side to side. This helps if the bars are round and there very little friction with the gunnels. When driving for a few hours on the highway or when it is very windy it seems to help keeping canoe from shifting

[djhagrid]

I use ratchet straps, but I have an aluminum canoe. I think it's mostly about placement and finesse when it comes to ratchet straps. Don't crank it down, don't rest the ratchet on the side of the canoe, or put down a cloth or foam under the ratchet and tie it onto the ratchet after you've tightened it down. If you have ratchet straps, I don't recommend buying a secondary product just to carry a canoe or kayak. If you have rope, you can use rope, if you know how to tie a knot with the rope you have. Keep in mind, a canoe only weighs around 70lbs, depending on the material, but you have to remember that the canoe will be catching the wind and the force put on the line could exceed 200lbs at highway speeds. I always recommend using two straps, as shown here, and always tying a line onto the bow and the stern as an extra precaution. As said in the video, you are responsible for securing your load. If it comes loose and damages another vehicle or injures someone, you will be liable for that, even if the straps you used were rated for your load and you took necessary precautions. Test your straps, and inspect them for fraying or damage every time you go to use them. Never use frayed or damaged straps or rope.

[JA-gxhb]

Pretty good job. Side to side, as well as up and down motion is controlled pretty good with just the wrap around straps. A couple of comments...
Your ties look super secure, for driving around, but what happens when you execute a panic stop? The down friction of the wrap around straps keep the boat from sliding forward on gradual stops, but a sudden stop from 75 mph?
The way your bow straps are angled towards the front of the car will help keep the canoe from sliding back, like if you were rear ended, but...
Your stern line going straight down won't keep the boat from going forward until it moves quite a bit, maybe ending up with the bow on the hood of the car.
I think you should tie a line from the front of the canoe (maybe a seat or cross member), straight back to the rack, or better yet over the roof right down to a trailer hitch or something secure in the rear. That line will stop the boat going forward on a sudden stop, your stern line (and your wrap around straps as well) will keep your bow up.

[superdkano]

Hey man, a big thank you for this vid. Really well explained and totally helped me transport my new canoe.

[dznfishing]

Thanks just picked up a set for my yak. Switched from using ratchet straps.

[StroMedia]

Great video - just found your channel and subscribed. I like your approach. Thanks.

[peterbarlow]

I had old Foresters and they all had dual recovery eyes under the front.

[timelessadventurer]

My rav4 has no connections in the rear and front so this was an awesome loop to see for the hood and trunk!

[tifdc]

Great job just curious why you didn't also use the straps for the front and rear? Thank you

[Lvtinstallion]

Do I’ve to run these anchor lines on the trunk and hood always? Does just the ties on the roof rack enough?