Whats the best way to strap surfboards to a roof rack?

[GrantMeThePower]

Or is it just a stupid idea to begin with? (i'm talking about like a yakima rack with the bike racks, but attaching the boards to the cross bars.

 

[j00fek]

rope

 

[halik]

duck tape

 

[Amused]

Someone's gonna die...

 

[blackdogdeek]

twine.

tie the loop around the crossbar and the end of the surfboard and make sure the loop is knotted so that it can't get bigger. this should prevent the board from slipping toward either end. however, it doesn't guarantee that the board won't move left or right. you'll need to anchor it to the side runners with more twine for that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yes, you can use a bungee cord but I've found that it doesn't hold the board very securely. I ended up buying the Yakima surfboard mounts for my rack. It was only like $50 and it locks the board tightly to the rack so it doesn't lift up when you get above 40mph. That can get a bit unnerving with a 9' longboard strapped to the roof of your car.

 

[imported_Baloo]

bungee cords, more than one.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

ratcheting tie down

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Yes, you can use a bungee cord but I've found that it doesn't hold the board very securely. I ended up buying the Yakima surfboard mounts for my rack. It was only like $50 and it locks the board tightly to the rack so it doesn't lift up when you get above 40mph.

Can you use 1 for 2 boards, or does that mean i need two set ups for 100 bucks?

I would be driving on the freeway with them...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Yes, you can use a bungee cord but I've found that it doesn't hold the board very securely. I ended up buying the Yakima surfboard mounts for my rack. It was only like $50 and it locks the board tightly to the rack so it doesn't lift up when you get above 40mph.

Can you use 1 for 2 boards, or does that mean i need two set ups for 100 bucks?

I would be driving on the freeway with them...

I think if you had two boards you might be able to strap them both down to one mount. Just put the smaller one on top and sandwich a couple towels inbetween them. As long as one doesn't have a lot more rocker than the other you should be okay.

If you're going on the freeway I'd definitely go with the Yakima option.

What kind of boards are we talking about here anyway? Longboard? Shortboard?

 

[gsellis]

It is a stupid idea without a rack. Most of the stuff you could try will ding the rails. And if it is not right, it comes off. Best then is major repair. Worst is it hits another car and goes downhill from there. If you cannot get it on the roof because of channels, check about mounting on the trunk. Seen it done in desperation. There may be a solution for it now.

Edit - if you are determined... Do look for pipe insulation foam at The Home Depot/Lowe's. Foam the rack and locktight them down. Put the bungies through the foam. Same foam (PE) as bodyboards from the feel of it.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Originally posted by: gsellis
Edit - if you are determined... Do look for pipe insulation foam at The Home Depot/Lowe's. Foam the rack and locktight them down. Put the bungies through the foam. Same foam (PE) as bodyboards from the feel of it.

Thats not a bad idea!