Cheapest way to transport a kayak

[trick worms]

What is the cheapest way to transport a kayak in a Honda Odyssey? I live about 2 miles from the lake I fish most but sometimes go to farther away lakes

[nhpleasantlakebass]

Cheapest way is to put it on top and tie it down... But that is not the safest most economical way.

For 150$ I got a Malone rack system that can go on any vehicle and it has worked great carrying my feel free lure 11.5 on the highway for a 250 mile round trip so far.. I would look into some type of rack system for any distance 

[flyfisher]

foam blocks and straps is the cheapest.  If you have factory racks then just strap it down and call it good.

Get a decent rack system if you don't have a factory rack and you won't have any worries.  Losing a kayak, which happens more often than you think, will cost a whole lot more than a rack system.

[buzzed bait]

i transported mine on a toyota camry with foam blocks and ratchet straps, no rack system.  Transported that unit 1,000s of miles and never once had an issue.

[J Francho]

Cheapest way in a minivan?  Jam it inside, and leave the back gate open.

[FluffChucker]

Foam blocks and straps. Run two ratchet straps across the middle, one rope from the front end of kayak to front of van, and one from back of kayak to the back of the van. I've cartopped a lot of kayaks and canoes over the years with this method and I've never had it fail.

It came close one time, when I drove straight into a severe thunderstorm with 90+ straight line winds. Probably the most scared I've ever been in my entire life (I thought it was a rain wrapped tornado). One of the ropes I ran to the rear of my car actually snapped, but the extra security straps ensured my kayak didn't get flung off my car.

If you're just driving back on forth a few miles, I'd just run one strap over the middle, and one to the front and back and call it good. Anytime you do a long distance trip, run two across the mid-section of the kayak. It's also worth the extra time to stop and check your straps once in a while on those long trips.

[trick worms]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Cheapest way in a minivan?  Jam it inside, and leave the back gate open.

So you can leave the trunk open and just hold it in?

[Junk Fisherman]

2 hours ago, trick worms said:

So you can leave the trunk open and just hold it in?

I would at least tie it down with a couple bungees.  Have a red flag too.  

[Ohio Yakker]

If it is light enough I would recommend using foam blocks and ratchet straps and putting on top. And if you need a point to connect the strap to on the van, they make a piece that is rubber with a heavy duty nylon loop on it. You put the rubber piece under your hood and the strap hangs out and then is used to hook onto the end of a ratchet strap. Hopefully that explanation makes sense. I have two of them and used to put one on each side of the hood. I don't use them anymore because I just strap it down to my cars roof rack, but these would help if you don't have a rack.  

[FishingMcD]

Tie it to the top of your car. They sell sets at Walmart I believe. I'm getting into kayak fishing and I found one for $20. 

[flyfisher]

i wouldn't use ratchet straps as you don't need that level of force.  I have seen and heard of many kayaks being deformed from the undue stress of using a ratchet strap.  A quality cam buckle strap is more than sufficient to hold it in place.  

[Darren.]

On April 21, 2016 at 1:39 PM, J Francho said:

Cheapest way in a minivan?  Jam it inside, and leave the back gate open.

Especially since he's only 2 miles from the lake!

I'm with John here. Foam blocks for the top would
be my next recommendation, with the others.