Hauling Canoes

Hauling a canoe can be a challenge.

Troop 60 is lucky enough to have a trailer and several Canoeing Adult Leaders able to haul canoes.

If you are intrested in transporting canoes, come talk to our Canoe Team.

Everything you need to know about roof racks:

• Todd Finley at Oak Orchard in NY:

• https://www.oakorchardcanoe.com/racks.php 

• oakorchardcanoe@rochester.rr.com 

• info@oakorchardcanoe.com   

Crossbar Length

• Many factory roof racks are not wide enough to safely support a canoe

• Crossbars should to be at least the width of he canoe (around 36") plus 4" to support a single canoe

• Cross bars should be no wider than the width of your side-view mirrors for safety reasons

• Longer bars will result in you and passengers bumping their heads when getting out of and walking around your vehicle

• Staggering canoes front to back may allow you to get away with shorter bars

• Canoe widths varies - these are rough guidelines:

  • 40" will hold single 36" wide tandem canoe safely

  • 65" will hold 2 solo whitewater canoes

  • 72" will hold 2 whitewater tandem canoes - depending on canoes

  • 78" will hold 2 tandem canoes with extra length to tie down your canoes securely 

    • This is our preferred length for transporting 2 canoes

Reputable Roof Rack Companies

• Yakima 

  • Yakima JetStream bars

    • Carrying Capacity: 165 lb./74.8 kg.

    • Aluminum 

    • T-Slot channels for quick install of compatible accessories

    • Little better aerodynamics than Corebar

  • Yakima Corebar

    • Carrying Capacity: 165 lbs/74.8 kg

    • Galvanized Steel with vinyl wrap coating

    • Carrying Capacity: 220 lbs/99.8 kg

  • Yakima HD Bars

    • Able to carry rooftop tents and other heavy cargo

    • Rated to carry up to 500 lbs on-road and up to 300 lbs off-road.

    • T-slots

• Thule

  • Thule WingBar Edge Roof Bar

    • Enhanced aerodynamic design

    • Does not overhang - may not be wide enough for some canoes

  • Thule WingBar Evo Load Bars

    • Aerodynamic 

    • Upper T-track 

  • Thule SquareBar Load Bars

    • Steel and coated with black polymer

  • Thule ProBar Evo Load Bars 

    • Aluminum 

    • Tri-slot design

      • Allows for more accessories and customization

Universal Crossbars

These will fit just about any vehicle and can be configured to 1 or 2 canoes

• Wonder Bar 

  • www.oakorchardcanoe.com/racks.php 

• Suction Cup Rack

  • www.springcreek.com/product/paddle-sports/car-truck-racks-and-accessories/diy-suction-cup-rack-kit 

No Rack = Roof Pads

These pad your roof to limit scratches.  use campstraps to secure canoes to roof by running then through door or window opening. 

• Foam Blocks

  • Traditional way of hauling canoes

• Yakima EasyTop Car Rack

  • Barely wide enough for most canoes

  • Safety issues if used as designed - straps have been known to fail

• Pool Noodle

  • Works ok - you may get some scratches on your roof

  • Can be a pain to setup

Securing Canoes

• NRS 1" HD Tie-Down Straps

  • Industry standard for securing canoes

  • These are dependable, work very well and don't damage your canoe

• 5mm Polyester Accessory Cord 

  • No stretch

  • Works great but requires knot tying skills

• Avoid using ratchet straps

  • Can easily over tighten and damage canoe or car

  • Ratchet can easily dig into canoe

• Hood Loops

  • Seattle Sports Hood Loops

  • Provides a secure tie down point under hood and rear hatch or trunk

• Bow and Stern Safety Lines

  • A canoe flying at 70MPH is deadly - Bow and Stern Safety Lines are a MUST! 

  • Assortment of options

  • 5mm Polyester Accessory Cord 

    • No stretch

    • Floats

    • Old School - works great!

    • Note: Nylon will stretch when wet

    • Note: don't use crappy yellow stuff

  • Cam Straps

    • Super easy to use

  • Cam Ropes

    • Riverside The Ratch Pack

Canoe Trailer

If you are shopping for a canoe trailer, come talk to our team - there is so much that goes into this.

Dan (253 606-0108) at Jet MOTORSPORTS located at 1709 137th Ave East, Sumner has Triton LXT-LK6 and other aluminum trailers.