The Best Way To Transport Your Kayak? Use A Pool Noodle Roof Rack

If you’re an avid kayaker, you know the importance of having a good roof rack. But what if you don’t have much money to spend on a roof rack? Well, I’ve good news: you can make your roof rack out of pool noodles!

That’s right, pool noodles. Those foam tubes that kids use in swimming pools. They’re cheap and easy to find and make great DIY roof racks for kayaks. 

In this blog post, I’ll show you how to make your own pool noodle roof rack for your kayak.

Key Takeaways

• A pool noodle roof rack is an effective and inexpensive way to transport a kayak.
• To use a pool noodle roof rack, simply strap the kayak to the roof of your car with the pool noodles securing it in place.
• A pool noodle roof rack is especially useful for shorter kayaks as it keeps them from shifting around while you drive.
• If you have a longer kayak, you may need to use two pool noodles side by side to secure it properly.
• When not in use, a pool noodle roof rack can be stored easily by rolling up the noodles and storing them in a garage or shed.

What Is Pool Noodle Roof Rack For Kayak?

A pool noodle roof rack for a kayak is a great way to transport your kayak. You can use foam blocks and ratchet straps to secure your kayak to the roof of your vehicle. This is a great option for kayaking enthusiasts who don’t have a kayak trailer.

If you have a car with crossbars, you can simply place the foam blocks on them and secure them with the ratchet straps. You can tie the straps around the kayak’s hull if you don’t have crossbars.

Make sure the buckle faces the front of the car, so it doesn’t scratch the paint. To secure the paddle, tie it to a crossbar with a rope or strap. If you’re using a rope, make sure it’s tied in a figure-eight knot, so it doesn’t come loose.

When you’re ready to load the kayak onto the roof of your car, lift it and place it onto the foam blocks. Then, secure it with the ratchet straps.

Start by passing the strap’s one end through the foam block’s two loops. Then, pull tight and secure it with a knot or cam buckle. Repeat this process for all four corners of the kayak.

A Pool Noodle Roof Rack Is A Cheap And Easy Way To Transport A Kayak

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to transport your kayak, look no further than the pool noodle.

Pool noodles are available at most department stores or sporting goods stores, and they make a great substitute for wood when building your rack.

The best part? You can use them repeatedly, so there’s no need to constantly buy new racks. It might seem unorthodox, but trust me: this is one of the easiest ways.

Simply Tie The Kayak To The Roof Of Your Car Using The Pool Noodles For Support

One of the most common questions is, “What’s the best way to transport your kayak?” Well, we have an answer for you! It’s simple. Simply use the pool noodles as a brace and attach the kayak to the car’s roof.

Simply tie your kayak down with strong rope or bungee cords. Ensure that both ends are tied securely, so they don’t fly off while driving down rough roads or highways.

Then, place one pool noodle directly behind each end of your boat and start driving up hills like a boss!

This Method Is Not As Secure As Other Methods, But It Will Do In A Pinch

The pool noodle roof rack is the most affordable, but it’s certainly not the best. The noodles are not as strong as other roof rack materials, nor are they secure or durable.

However, suppose you’re in a pinch and must transport your kayak immediately. In that case, this method will do—as long as your kayak isn’t too heavy.

Pool noodles are also not as stable on your car’s roof, so be careful when driving at high speeds because the wind could knock them off and onto the road (which would be bad).

Make Sure To Use Strong Rope Or Bungee Cords To Secure The Kayak

If you’re unsure how to secure the kayak, a good place to start is with ropes and bungee cords. Make sure you use strong ropes that won’t break easily and check them often for wear and tear.

If you have a lot of distance between your car and the roof rack, you might want to put some padding under the kayak, so it doesn’t accidentally hit anything on its way up there.

You May Want To Consider Using A Foam Pad Under The Kayak For Extra Protection

You don’t want to bring your kayak home from the store just to find that it has a ding or crack in it. You can avoid this by using a foam pad under the kayak.

Foam pads are inexpensive and easy to use, but they’re also much more durable than a tarp when protecting your car roof from scratches or dings.

You can find foam pads at any hardware store and attach them by simply putting them between the kayak and the roof rack bars. This method makes for an easy installation, so tools are not needed.

Don’t Forget To Remove The Pool Noodles When You’re Done

After transporting your kayak, don’t forget to remove the pool noodles! Pool noodles are reusable and biodegradable.

They can be used repeatedly, so if you have a big boat or just like using them to transport things (like me), it makes sense to keep some on hand.

Additionally, pool noodles are cheap—so there’s no reason not to replace them when they get old. If you want an ultra-cheap option that won’t leave dents in your car roof rack like metal bars might do, try these foam tubes from Amazon instead.

How To Make A Pool Noodle Roof Rack For Your Kayak?

First, grab your pool noodle. Next, cut it with a saw or scissors to match the length of your kayak’s deck. If your kayak is long, you may need to use two noodles (one on each end).

You can also add extra protection by adding a foam pad around the edges where it will rest on top of the car’s roof rack to prevent scratching or damaging your vehicle’s paint job.

Finally, tie a rope or bungee cord around each end of the noodle and secure them underneath your car’s cross bars using sturdy knots that won’t slip—making sure not to use anything that might damage either item.

What You’ll Need To Make A Pool Noodle Roof Rack?

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Pool noodles – these are the most important part of this project. You can use any shape or size, but thicker pool noodles work best for our kayaks. The more rigid your roof rack, the less likely it is to break off during transport and cause damage to your vehicle or yourself.
• Rope or bungee cords – depending on which method you choose, one or both types are needed for securing your pool noodle roof rack to your vehicle. If you decide to use rope ties, make sure they are strong enough to tie down, withstand wind gusts, and hold up against shifting cargo in case an accident occurs while driving down the road at 60 miles per hour (I’m just saying).
• Tape measure – a 5-foot-long metal tape measure will come in handy here because there isn’t any other way of measuring out how long each noodle should be without having access to any sorta’ ladder type thingy…which isn’t always readily available when working outside on vehicles such as cars vs. trucks/SUVs etcetera.

Are There Any Drawbacks To Using A Pool Noodle Roof Rack?

The only real drawback to using a pool noodle roof rack is that it isn’t as secure as other methods. You can fall off if you’re not careful.

If you’re planning on making a long journey, this may not be the best way for your trip. Also, if your car has a low roof or an awkward shape (like mine), chances are that this won’t work for you.

How Long Will A Pool Noodle Roof Rack Last?

Pool noodles are cheap and easy to replace. When you’re done with your kayak, just throw away the pool noodle and buy a new one.

You can buy them anywhere: hardware stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and wherever people shop for pool noodles.

So what’s so great about this? For one thing, it’s easy as heck to install. It takes less time than putting on sunscreen or brushing your teeth in the morning (which you should do).

You don’t need any tools at all! Just slide two eye hooks into each end of your pool noodle and attach them with bungee cords or something similar if you want extra security from theft attempts.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to make the best choice for transporting your kayak. This is a great way to store your kayak in your car without spending much money.

To make this roof rack, you will need the following:

• Two pool noodles
• Rope or bungee cord
• Tape

First, cut the pool noodles in half. Next, tie the halves together with the rope or bungee cord to form an “X” shape. Then, tape the ends of the pool noodles to your car’s roof. Finally, secure your kayak to the roof rack with more rope or bungee cord.

If you have any questions about pool noodle roof racks or other methods of kayak transport, please feel free to email us.

Frequently Asked Questions