The Kayaking Adventure
Kayaking is a fun and adventurous recreational sport enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people every year. Whether you are paddling calmly around the local mill pond, or facing down the rapids DELIVERANCE style (no, wait, those were canoes) …either way, kayaking is an enjoyable pastime for the whole family. Many folks opt to own their own kayaks instead of renting them, and some kayakers will tell you they get pretty close to their chosen kayak in a way not unlike car enthusiasts gush over automobiles. So, when you find yourself having to move, it is inevitable that your beloved kayak is going to go with you. If you have never moved a boat before, this is how you do it!
Planning, Planning, Planning
As with any project, proper planning will always result in a more efficient outcome. Waiting until the last minute, throwing your kayak on the roof of the car or truck and tying it down wherever the ropes go through the windows may sound good, but ultimately will fail in its execution.
All Aboard!
Place the kayak atop whatever vehicle is carrying it, using cross straps to secure it to your racks. You can also attach the bow and stern lines but leave them somewhat slack until you are actually ready to go. Tightening them down too soon could actually warp the kayak itself, which would ultimately make for a none too pleasant journey later on!
You also wish to use a cockpit cover, as this not only prevents foreign matter from getting into the seating area but can actually increase the aerodynamics (and fuel mileage) by preventing the kayak from scooping in the air as you go down the road. Some kayaks have even been known to fly off their transport vehicles if enough wind force is exerted upon them. These covers are very inexpensive and will provide safety and fuel efficiency when used properly.
Front, Bow! Back, Stern!
When securing the kayak for transport, always use the bow and stern lines. This is designed to keep your kayak from shifting sideways and making its best impression of an airplane wing. Kayaks are hydrodynamically engineered, not much different from aerodynamics, as they are meant to move through the water efficiently. This can become a problem if the kayak is not properly secured, as a sudden stop could turn the kayak into an airborne missile. A person standing in the wrong place could get hurt. Use bow and stern lines of the ratchet variation for the most secure and dependable results.
Check Those Lines
Once you are secured and on the road, periodically stop and check those lines to make sure they are still properly tightened down. Things have a habit of shifting or working loose during transport and just giving them a cursory check whenever you stop for food, gas, or bathroom breaks will help ensure that you do not have any surprises on the way to your new destination.
Inspection!
Even if you aren’t facing a move, a periodic inspection of your tie down gear will make sure that they are always in proper working order and ready the next time you need to transport your kayak, either for a major move or just a trip to spend the day on the lake. As with any sport, you want to keep your equipment in top working condition.
Take Your Time
We have already established that a kayak could become a formidable force if suddenly projected through the air. Do not be in such a hurry during your move. Driving slower makes it much less likely that you will have to stop quickly or make sudden turns or other maneuvers, any of which could serve to loosen the kayak from the top of your vehicle, making it susceptible to falling off. Any time you are powering a load, take it a little slower and be careful.
Use A Caution Flag
In some place this may be the law, but it is always a good idea to affix a caution flag to your kayak, as it will no doubt hang pretty far over the front and back of your vehicle, and you do not want anyone getting close enough to risk a collision. Kayaks have very narrow profiles from front and rear, and may be difficult to see, but that red caution flag should be enough to catch anyone’s attention.
Rule Number One – Obey All Rules
Some states may have other laws pertaining to the transport of kayaks, so always familiarize yourself with them and make sure you are in compliance. Many states require three points of contact between the kayak and the transport vehicle, so you might want to go that extra mile and have four. Just to be on the safe side.
Of Course There Is Always the Old-Fashioned Way
If you are looking at a long-distance move, and do not want to have your baby riding piggyback for hundreds of miles, there remains the option of packing the kayak into your moving vehicle and transporting it that way. In fact, you may be able to utilize the cockpit area for additional smaller items.
Just make sure you afford enough room in your moving vehicle to accommodate the kayak and use enough ratchet straps to fully secure it to the wall or floor of the vehicle. The last thing you want is the kayak banging around in the back like a BB in a box car.
Of course, when you arrive at your destination, have some space designated for your kayak to occupy, somewhere that you can easily retrieve it when you are ready for some fun.
Summary
Moving, even long-distance moves, do not have to be trying, nerve wracking experiences. With proper planning, they can be a fun and rewarding adventure. Perhaps not as adventurous as riding the rapids, but an enjoyable process, nonetheless. So, take the proper time and effort to make sure everything is done right, and enjoy your kayaking adventures in your new area of the country!
