Securing your kayak

[Graham]

Hey yakers, I bought a Yakima j low rack to secure my boat to my vehicle (Subaru forester). I found that I like to secure the kayak directly to my roof racks excluding the j rack altogether. I was using the Yakima straps to do so and I broke one using it improperly. Was wondering what y’all use to strap your boats down. I was thinking I may get some ratchets and see how those work. They are certainly more heavy duty than the Yakima straps (which have a rubber head). Any input would be nice, thanks in advance!

[moguy1973]

I use some 16' ratchet straps I bought at Walmart.  They work great and are a lot better than the tug and pull and hope they hold straps that came with my rooftop carrier.

[Brad in Texas]

My experience with ratchet straps is they work themselves a bit loose. I used to stop and tighten mine on an hour trip going or coming home from a lake I fished often. This was for a kayak or canoe carried on a light trailer, so some bouncing.

 

When I switched over to cam straps, I found them to hold better, at least for me. 

 

Both are solid choices as are a few special knots using just rope.

 

Brad

 

[Graham]

1 hour ago, moguy1973 said:

I use some 16' ratchet straps I bought at Walmart.  They work great and are a lot better than the tug and pull and hope they hold straps that came with my rooftop carrier.

Yeah that’s how I felt about the straps that’s came with mine...even more so after I broke one of them. If it wasn’t for the front and back hook straps I got I wouldn’t have been able to get it back home! I’m gonna go get some ratchet straps, glad to hear they work nicely.

 

@Brad in Texas ah, interesting brad. Do you think that it was since you had it on a trailer, or do you think having it on my roof would be different? Cam straps look like a good alternative, I wonder if my local hardware store carries those. 

[PECo]

I use Thule Load Straps. If you double them over the load, they don’t slip.

 

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/cargo-carrier/roof-basket-accessories/thule-load-straps-523-_-1031

[Choporoz]

2 hours ago, PECo said:

I use Thule Load Straps. If you double them over the load, they don’t slip.

 

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/cargo-carrier/roof-basket-accessories/thule-load-straps-523-_-1031

These same straps came with my Thule racks (2 dif sets.)  I love them.  Going into fourth year of heavy use with little noticeable wear at all.  They aren't cheap, but the hold is outstanding and the durability means they're easily worth twice any strap that lasts only half as long. 

[Graham]

@Choporoz@PECo those Thule straps look a lot more durable than my Yakima. The reason they broke is when I tightened them down I was going against the rubber with the strap and it dug through the rubber. Total user error and I don’t blame Yakima, but to have only used them 4 times and to have them break is a bummer.

[Darren.]

I have used both ratcheting straps and cam-lock straps.

 

Bought some new cam-buckle straps at Harbor Freight and

they are fantastic. The lock is very tight, actually a bit 

tough to get the strap in it. But once done, these are 

solid.

 

If you are concerned of slippage, once you've got it 

tight, take the extra strap and tie an overhand knot up

to the cam-lock.

 

[J Francho]

I just had a Thule strap snap on me.  I bet that thing is 12 years old, lol.

[Brad in Texas]

10 hours ago, Graham said:

Yeah that’s how I felt about the straps that’s came with mine...even more so after I broke one of them. If it wasn’t for the front and back hook straps I got I wouldn’t have been able to get it back home! I’m gonna go get some ratchet straps, glad to hear they work nicely.

 

@Brad in Texas ah, interesting brad. Do you think that it was since you had it on a trailer, or do you think having it on my roof would be different? Cam straps look like a good alternative, I wonder if my local hardware store carries those. 

I'm not certain but one thing about car-topping is as long as you have the front end very secure, you'll likely see any looseness if it develops, then you can take care of it. I couldn't see my low riding kayak or canoe back there on my trailer as easily. I was always surprised to see a few inches of slack develop using ratchet straps. Note below someone else posted the cam straps at Harbor Freight. They are cheap and work great. I believe NRS makes some higher quality straps but I just use the Harbor Freight ones, about an inch wide or so.

 

*** As regards pushing the nylon strapping through, cut the tag end at a 45 degree angle then before it frays, just use a flame and lightly melt the fresh cut. It'll stiffen it making it easier to push through the cam. 

 

*** One other note is that the cam straps wind up into a little disc about 3" in diameter and I just toss mine in my truck. Ratchet straps are much bulkier.

 

If you get cam straps, I'll post the proper technique to roll them up tightly and very quickly.

 

Brad

[Graham]

@Brad in Texas thanks for the advice. I’ll have to run by northern tool & company and see if they have cam straps. Kind of unfortunate  I bought a rack and realized I’d rather just secure it straight to my roof. I guess the rack will be nice once I get a yack for my girl so we can carry two at once!

30 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I just had a Thule strap snap on me.  I bet that thing is 12 years old, lol.

I’d assume you got your use out of em!