Key Takeaways
● Take the time to measure your vehicle and stand-up paddleboard
● Use ratchet straps to secure the paddleboard to the roof rack
● Crisscross the straps for extra stability
● Use tie-down straps or ropes to further secure the board
Paddleboarding season never truly ends, and when you’re getting ready to hit the water, you’ve got to strap the board to your car before you head down.
If you want to know how to strap your paddleboard to your roof, it’s very simple. All you need are straps, your roof racks, and about five minutes to tie it all up and secure everything.
Of course, there is a little more to it than that…
In this guide, we take you through the process of securing the paddleboard to your roof so that you can make sure you’ve done it safely before you head out.
Table of Contents
Steps for Strapping a Paddleboard to a Roof Rack
First things first, remember to open ALL your car doors before you start securing everything. You can close them when you’re done, but keeping them open is important.
Let’s take a look at the steps you can follow for your rack system:
Step One: Secure the Soft Pads and Lay the Paddle Board Down
The first step is to take the soft pads or foam blocks and SECURE them to your roof racks. You want to make sure that they’re placed in a way so that the board will sit evenly on top of them.
Once the soft pads are in place, you can lay your paddleboard down on top of them. When you have the board on the roof, check it’s not hanging over the side of your car.
Make sure that the nose of the board is facing toward the FRONT of the car and that the middle of the board is sitting in the middle of the car. You can strap a SUP using a similar method.
Pro Tip: When you place the paddle board down, the fin should stick up and face the sky. This is also known as fin-forward.
Step Two: Loop the Straps and Secure
Now that the board is in place, you’ll want to take the straps and loop them AROUND the center of the board.
Once the straps are in place, you can SECURE them by tying them off or using the clip that’s provided.
Make sure that the straps are tight but not TOO tight. You don’t want to damage the paddle board or make it difficult to remove when you get to your destination.
Pro Tip: If you’re using a clip, make sure it’s placed in the middle of the board, so it’s evenly distributed.
Step Three: Insert the Tail End into the Buckle and Secure the Nose
The next step is to take the TAIL end of the strap and insert it into the BUCKLE. You’ll want to ensure that the buckle is placed in the middle of the board, so it’s evenly distributed.
Follow the same techniques to strap underneath and SECURE these parts of the board to the racks of your car’s roof, as stated in the previous step.
Step Four: Twist and Tighten the Straps
The last step is to take the FRONT end of the straps and TWIST them. This will help to create more tension in the straps and make sure that everything is extra secure and that you lay flat the board.
Once you’ve twisted the straps, you can go ahead and TIGHTEN them so that everything is snug around the board deck.
That’s it. You’ve successfully strapped your paddleboard to the roof of your car, and you’re ready to hit the water.
How to Strap a Paddleboard to a Car Without Racks
If you don’t have racks to secure your paddleboard to, it’s NOT the end of the world. You can buy soft racks that will allow you to keep your board SAFE while also giving you the opportunity to take your car down to the beach.
Step One: Lay Soft Racks Over the Top of the Car
First, you’ll want to take the soft racks and lay them OVER the top of your car. You can place them anywhere from the front to the back of the car, but it’s important to make sure that they’re in a place where they’re not going to get in the way.
Step Two: Space and Secure the Soft Racks
Once the soft racks are in place, you’ll want to make sure that they’re SECURE. You can do this by tying them down or using the clips that are provided.
It’s also important to make sure that there’s enough space between the soft racks so that your paddleboard can fit comfortably. You don’t want it to be TOO snug, or else you won’t be able to get the board on and off easily.
Step Three: Lay the Paddleboard Down and Secure
Now that the soft racks are in place, you can go ahead and lay your paddleboard DOWN. You want to ensure that the board’s nose is facing toward the FRONT of the car and that the board’s middle is in the car’s middle.
Once the board is in place, you can SECURE it by using the straps that are provided. You want to make sure that the straps are tight but not TOO tight. You don’t want to damage the board or make it difficult to remove when you get to your destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Best Straps to Use on Roof Racks?
Generally, ratchet straps are considered the best straps to use on roof racks to secure a paddleboard.
Can You Put a SUP (Inflatable Paddle Board) on a Roof Rack?
Yes, you can put a SUP on a roof rack. You’ll want to ensure that inflatable boards are placed in the middle of the rack and that the straps are secure but not too tight when transporting your SUP.
To Conclude
That’s how you strap a paddleboard to a roof rack. It’s a SIMPLE process that can be accomplished in four easy steps. Just make sure that the straps are tight but not too tight, and you’ll be good to go. You and your board will be perfectly SAFE as you head to the water.
We hope that this guide has been able to help you feel more confident in securing your board so that you can paddle with your pals in peace.
