Transportation of water equipment - how to do it conveniently, safely and in accordance with the rules?

Water sports are a proven recipe for a successful vacation, but transporting the necessary gear can be cumbersome. Owners of kayaks, surfboards and windsurfers can choose from trailers, as well as special holders and roof racks. Below we describe the most popular solutions.

What will you learn from this post?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of a trailer?
• How to transport a canoe?
• How to transport a surfboard or windsurf board?

Shortly speaking

A trailer significantly increases cargo space, but makes it difficult to maneuver the vehicle and can cause problems on unpaved roads. Clamps can be used to secure a kayak or board to the roof base beams, but improperly secured equipment can slip off. The most reliable and easy-to-use solution is special racks or handles for carrying boards and kayaks.

Rooftop or trailer?

Water sports enthusiasts know that transporting equipment can be inconvenient... Unfortunately, the kayak and surfboard cannot be folded, and due to their large size, they will not fit in the car. So there is a choice: trailer, special handles or roof rack. Of course, the trailer offers the maximum capacity.because in addition to water equipment, it will also fit the luggage of the whole family. However, it is more difficult for a car with a trailer to maneuver.especially on rough roads, which are often found near lakes and rivers. Therefore, a more convenient solution may be a special rack or handles for carrying certain types of equipment, for example, kayaks or boards.

Kayak transport

The kayak or canoe can be attached to the roof cross member using special buckled ribbons... Obviously this is the cheapest solution, but it takes some practice. Improperly secured equipment can slide off the roof while driving, creating a hazardous situation on the road. A safer and easier to use solution is baggage handles or baskets that hold the equipment securely. One of the simplest solutions is Thule Kayak support 520-1, compact. kayak rack available at an affordable price. You can also find in the market slightly more expensive models with various amenitieswhich facilitate loading and minimize the risk of vehicle damage. For example, the Thule Hullavator Pro trunk has gas lifts and special levers that help you put the kayak on the roof. An interesting solution is Thule Multi Purpose Holder 855, i.е. universal. stand for carrying oars and masts, which will surely appeal to kayakers, as well as fans of windsurfing and SUP.

Surfboard or windsurf board transportation

Due to the smaller dimensions, transportation of surf and windsurf boards it's a little easier. You can also use ribbons here, but we recommend purchase of special roof holderswhich are safer and easier to use. One of the most popular models is the Thule Wave Surf Carrier 832, which holds two boards. They are securely held with a soft rubber stand and adjustable straps. With the most demanding surfboard owner in mind, the Thule SUP Taxi Carrier has been created with a unique retractable design that can be adjusted to the width of the board being transported.

Legal issues

Finally, legal issues. Traffic rules oblige drivers appropriate marking of transported items if they protrude beyond the contour of the vehicle... Therefore, a piece of red cloth with a size of at least 50 x 50 cm should be tied to the back of the kayak or board. Drivers often forget that it is placed on the roof. the load must also be marked at the front... For this, an orange flag or two white and two red stripes are used in passenger cars. It is also worth recalling that the load carried on the roof must not protrude too far beyond the contour of the vehicle - no more than 0,5 m in front and 1,5 m from the driver's seat, and 2 m in the back. Before buying a roof rack, it is also worth checking the maximum permissible roof load.

Are you looking for a water rack or a regular roof rack? On avtotachki.com you will find Swedish Thule products that are used by the most demanding drivers.

Photo: avtotachki.com, unsplash.com