Paddle Board Roof Racks – How To Choose One For Your Vehicle And SUP

Susan Levinson0 commentsPaddle Board Roof Racks

A roof rack for your paddleboard is a good investment because it ensures you transport your board correctly.  To get the full benefits of these racks, you will need to choose the right one.  With so many on the market, this can be hard to do.  To make choosing the roof rack easier, you need to know what to look for.

The Vehicle And Rack Compatibility

The first point to consider when looking at a paddleboard roof rack is the compatibility.  There is no point in looking at racks that will not fit your vehicle.  Fortunately, all roof racks will have a compatibility chart that you can use to determine this.

When looking at compatibility, it is important to note that the SUP rack does not fit onto the roof of your car.  These racks will attach to an existing roof rack.  If you do not already have a roof rack on your vehicle, you will first have to purchase one.

Some SUP racks will only work with specific systems such as the Thule rack.  These racks only work with Thule crossbar racks.  There are also a small number of factory racks these rails these racks will work with.

Before you make any decisions, you have to look at the compatibility.  Some SUP racks only with circular racks, while others only work with oval bars.  Some SUP racks have greater compatibility, but you will generally pay a premium for this.

The Board Capacity

Once you have narrowed down your list of SUP racks to those compatible with your vehicle, you need to look at board capacity.  This is the number of SUP boards the rack is able to carry at any time.  Capacity is particularly important if your paddleboard with friends and family.

In these situations, you will not want a rack that can only carry one board.  If you paddleboard with your partner, the capacity will need to be able to carry two boards.  It is rare to find racks that are able to carry more than two boards.  If you need to transport more than two boards, you will need to look for a tow-trailer instead of a roof rack.

While looking at the board capacity, you need to check the width of your board.  This will need to be compatible with the width limit of the rack.  Most racks are able to carry boards up to 34” wide, but some might be narrower.

You also need to look at the weight capacity of the rack.  Exceeding the weight or width capacity of the rack can cause pressure dinging on the boards.  There is also a chance that you can puncture the boards during transit.

The Lock System

There are many roof racks that have a very sturdy lock system, but there are others that do not.  The best lock systems allow you to leave your boards on the rack when the vehicle is parked.  They will prevent the boards from being stolen when left unattended.

There are some roof racks that have up to four locks.  These are the most secure roof racks on the market, but can seem like overkill if you only take your board to the water and back.  However, if you are traveling a distance to the water and are likely to stop along the way, they will be the best option.

If you are looking at racks without locks, it is important to note that soft rack systems are less secure than a hard system.  Soft systems are generally made with polyester and nylon.  This makes it easier for thieves to slash the racks and take the boards.

The Loading System

SUP boards are heavy and will generally weigh 30 pounds or more.  This can make them hard to load onto a roof rack unless you are a tall and strong person.  If you are shorter, you can have a hard time getting your board onto the roof of your car.  This is why you need to consider the loading system offered by the roof rack.

Some of the racks on the market have easy loading systems.  These systems allow you to place the board on a track that rolls up onto the roof rack.  This system also reduces the chance of damaging your board, vehicle or body.

Of course, an easy loading system will increase the cost of the roof rack.  However, if you need these systems, the additional cost will generally be worthwhile.

There are many great websites out there that review SUP roof racks one of our favorites you can find here PaddlingWaves Roof Racks Reviews.  They have 9 reviews on the best paddle board roof racks on the market, check them out.

A SUP roof rack is the best way to transport your board, but you need to get the right one.  To determine the right roof rack, you need to consider compatibility and capacity.  You also need to look at the locking system and whether the rack offers a loading system.  These are two factors that increase the costs, but make the rack more secure and easier to work with.

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The Top 3 Best Paddle Board Roof Racks

Susan Levinson0 commentsPaddle Board Roof Racks

If you own a paddleboard — or multiple boards — you’ll want to make sure that it’s easy for you to transport your board. If it’s a hassle to get your paddleboard out on the water, you may find that you don’t use it very often. These are three of the best paddleboard roof racks that are currently on the market. If you’re trying to find a roof rack that’s worth purchasing, you’ll want to take a closer look at all three of these products.

1. The Yakama Supdawg Paddleboard Carrier

This roof rack may have a comical name, but it’s one of the best products of its kind. This cross-mounted rack is incredibly sturdy and has a number of features that make it easier to use. It’s able to hold two paddleboards at a time, which makes it an excellent choice for most users.

From the moment you install this rack on your vehicle, you’ll be able to see that it’s one of the best products of its kind. The rack is designed to be simple to install. It can actually be secured to your vehicle without using any tools at all. You’ll have this carrier set up and ready to use in no time at all.

What’s particularly great about this rack is that it’s able to support paddleboards of all sizes, including wider boards. It has a flat, cushioned bar that can hold any type of paddleboard, whether it’s thick or narrow. The board comes with both a tie-down leash and anchor cords, which means that users will have access to everything that they need.

When you use a roof rack, you won’t have to worry about whether or not your boards will be secure. This carrier has multiple locks. There are locks to ensure that the rack remains firmly in place, and there are also locks that will keep your boards from slipping out of place when you’re on the road.

After you arrive at your destination, you’ll find that it’s easy for you to unload your boards from your rack. The rack has a roller that makes unloading a breeze.

2.The Vault Cargo Universal Roof Rack

If you’re looking for a roof rack that can be used with paddleboards, surfboards, and kayaks, this is an option you’ll definitely want to take a closer look at. This is designed to be installed onto the crossbars of an existing roof rack. It has two foldable bars that can be flattened as needed. This means that you won’t have to remove your bars if you need to drive through an area with low clearance.

This rack is made from sturdy lightweight aluminum and features a crossbar mount. It’s very easy to install, no matter what kind of roof rack you have in place. If you’re looking for a simple way to transport paddleboards, this might be the solution for you.

While your boards are stored on this rack, you can trust that they’ll be well protected. There are soft cushions in place, and there are also lashing straps that will help to keep your boards firmly in place. Even if you’re traveling a long distance, your boards should safely arrive at their destination.

This is a highly versatile roof rack that will work well for people that enjoy a variety of recreational activities on the water. With that said, if you have a wider paddleboard, you should know that this particular roof rack might not be the ideal option for you. Some reviewers report that it’s harder to get a secure grip when you’re transporting a wider paddleboard with this rack.

In addition to all of the benefits listed above, this is one of the most affordable paddleboard roof racks on the market. Although the product does require you to have a roof rack, it’s compatible with racks of all types, which means you can purchase this alongside an inexpensive roof rack as needed. Even though it has some limitations, it’s a great choice for most users.

3. The Malone Auto Racks Maui-2

This is a rail-mounted rack that is fully compatible with most racks on the market. It can carry one to two paddleboards with ease. It allows for no-tool installation, and it is capable of carrying surfboards as well.

One of the great things about this product is that it features four low profile saddles. This allows you to make adjustments and find the right fits for the paddleboards that you’re transporting. The saddles are able to auto-adjust to your boards, which means it will be easier for you to find a fit that works for you.

It’s possible to stack two boards on top of each other, thanks to the spacer pads that come with this roof rack. The foam pads are 22 inches, which means they provide ample protection. The roof rack itself is easy to install. As a matter of fact, there are no tools required during the installation process.

It’s easy for paddleboards to be damaged when they’re outdoors, particularly if you live in a salty-sea climate. If this is something that you’re concerned about, you’ll be glad to know that this particular roof rack offers UV protection as well. It’s a feature that a lot of other roof racks on the market don’t have. If this is something important to you, you’ll definitely want to check this particular carrier out.

This carrier is one of the top choices for stand-up paddleboards. It’s flexible, it’s sturdy, it’s safe, and it’s easy to install. It also has a very reasonable price tag, especially when you compare it to some of the other options that are currently on the market.

These are three of the best paddleboard roof racks that are available to purchase. If your looking for the complete list of Roof racks check out this great article on Best SUP and PaddleBoard Roof Racks. A roof rack can be incredibly useful for paddleboard owners, which is why you should strongly consider picking up one of the racks listed here. Every one of these racks has a lot to offer and delivers plenty of value for the price.…

Tips For Traveling With Your Paddle Board – SUP

Susan Levinson0 commentsTips For Traveling

While inflatable alternatives are certainly ideal when it comes to traveling with your paddle board, there are ways to travel with any kind of board you have. In this article, we will be going over some of the different tips for traveling with your paddleboard.

Tips For Traveling With Your Board:

1. Get An Inflatable SUP Board (iSUP)

This is the best way to travel with your paddle board. By getting yourself an iSUP board, you will be able to deflate the board, which will make it a lot easier. When deflated, you will be able to roll up the board to the size of a sleeping bag. This will allow you to pack your board much easier. It will end up taking up a lot less space because you can shove it in your carry on or checked luggage. Best of all, when you pack it in your luggage, you won’t have to worry about the airline damaging it.

2. Board Bag

If you are going to be transporting a hardboard along with you during your trip, a lot will depend on how you are traveling. Regardless of whether you are driving or flying, you will want to purchase a high-quality board bag. Having a board bag is going to properly protect your board from getting damaged, whether being loaded onto the airplane or otherwise. You should be able to find all kinds of board bags that would be suitable for your paddleboard. The key is to look for one with ample padding and protection.

3. Don’t Forget Your Paddle

When you are looking for ways to travel with your board, you shouldn’t forget about your paddle. Your paddle is going to need proper protection as well. Therefore, you will want to look to ensure that you are able to place the paddle in the bag with enough room. Ideally, you want to get a bad dedicated to your paddle to keep it from hitting against your paddle board throughout the duration of the trip. From there, you can stuff the paddle bag inside of your larger bag to make it easier to carry and transport.

4. Know Your Size Requirements

When you are looking to take your board on your travels and you are flying, you will want to know the requirements that you are supposed to adhere to. Otherwise, you will find yourself spending a lot of money to take your board along for the ride. For most airlines, you will want to keep your board at 9 foot 6 inches or under. A lot of airlines will reject your board if it is over this amount. However, not all airlines will specifically measure and they will take your word for it. That being said, it is not wise to approach it this way. It’s best to stick within the restrictions to ensure you don’t have issues with getting your board on the airplane. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on where you are flying and who you are flying with.

5. Choose The Right Vehicle

If you are going to be traveling by way of the road, you will want to choose the right vehicle during your trip. Typically you want to stick with longer vehicles like a truck or a van when you are traveling with a SUP board. This will allow you to stick your board inside of a van or the bed of a truck which can keep you from having to strap your board to the top of your vehicle.

As you can see, you can travel with a paddleboard without too much hassle. You simply need to have the right materials to ensure you are not getting your board damaged during transit. By following the tips above, you should be able to travel just about anywhere with your board. Invest in a high-quality bag and you should be able to get it from point A to point B without risking damaging it. Without sufficient protection, you might find your board getting damaged during transit. Also, learn about your airline’s specifics in regards to over-sized luggage or boards to ensure you know how much you are going to be paying in fees before your trip.

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