Transporting your kayak can prove very difficult, especially if you do not own a rack to tie the kayak to the roof of your car. Of course, the question of whether or not your kayak will fit inside your car depends on the size of your car, and the length, width, and depth of your kayak.
When buying a kayak, you have to consider everything, including how you will transport it. Fitting a 6ft kayak inside your car will be a struggle unless you have a large truck.
Foldable and inflatable kayaks are more likely to squeeze into your car, and are great if you have limited space: most can fold into the size of a small backpack. The downside to inflatable kayaks is that they are less durable than foldable or rotomolded plastic kayaks, and require a pump to inflate.
If you’re lucky enough to own a larger car, or a truck, make sure to clear enough space in the back to put your kayak inside and place a rubber mat on the floor of the vehicle to reduce friction and keep the kayak safe.
Load the kayak such that the hull is face down, and use straps or buckles to hold it in place and prevent it from sliding around. Remember to be cautious and drive carefully when transporting a kayak in your vehicle, and try to avoid traveling in heavy rainfall or snowfall!
Most kayakers advise against traveling with your kayak inside your car, unless it can be folded or deflated, mainly for safety reasons. Even an SUV is not large enough to safely transport a kayak. Tying the kayak down using buckles or straps will help, but there is always the risk that it will come loose should you have to steer your car sharply round a corner, or swiftly break at some traffic lights!
And it probably goes without saying that having a huge kayak inside your car will likely block your rear-view mirror, making it much more difficult to drive safely. Additionally, there is the risk of the kayak ruining the inside of your car!
Foam blocks can be used to avoid the kayak damaging your car roof if you use a rack to transport it and if you cannot fit it inside your car safely. Additionally, there is the option to use a kayak trailer, that will attach to the back of your car and enable you to transport more than one kayak at a time.
When deciding upon a kayak, ease of transportation should be taken into consideration.
Finding a foldable, or inflatable kayak is a much safer option that will be much easier to transport and fit into your car. If you prefer a plastic 6ft kayak, consider getting a roof rack so that you can transport your kayak safely and easily on top of your car, as opposed to trying to squeeze it inside your car!
