How to Put a Surfboard on Top of a Car Safely

Transporting a surfboard can seem daunting, but with the right equipment and technique, you can securely fasten it to your vehicle. Learning how to put a surfboard on top of a car properly is crucial for both the safety of your board and other road users. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps, from choosing the right gear to securing your board and driving confidently to your next surf spot.

Understanding Your Car and Surfboard Transport Needs

Before you even think about strapping down your surfboard, it’s essential to understand the different methods and equipment available. Your choice will largely depend on your car’s features, the type of surfboard you have, and how frequently you’ll be transporting it. Neglecting proper preparation can lead to damaged gear, a lost board, or even accidents on the road.

Types of Roof Racks for Surfboards

The foundation of safe surfboard transport is a reliable roof rack system. There are primarily two types you’ll encounter, each with its own advantages and considerations:

Hard Roof Racks

Hard roof racks are permanent or semi-permanent fixtures installed on your car’s roof. They offer the most robust and secure solution for carrying various gear, including surfboards, kayaks, and bikes. These typically consist of crossbars that attach to your vehicle’s existing roof rails, door frames, or dedicated mounting points.

• Factory-Installed Racks: Many SUVs and wagons come with integrated roof rails from the manufacturer. These are convenient and designed to fit your specific vehicle model. You’ll often need to purchase compatible crossbars that attach to these rails.
• Aftermarket Racks: Brands like Thule, Yakima, and Rhino-Rack offer extensive lines of universal or custom-fit rack systems. These systems usually involve a base kit (feet and fit kits tailored to your car), crossbars, and sometimes locking mechanisms for added security.
  • Pros: Extremely sturdy, secure, durable, capable of carrying multiple boards or heavy loads, and often lockable. They distribute weight evenly and minimize aerodynamic drag compared to soft racks.
  • Cons: More expensive upfront investment, require installation (though often straightforward), and can slightly increase wind noise and decrease fuel efficiency when installed permanently.

Soft Roof Racks

Soft roof racks are a temporary and portable solution, ideal for occasional use or for cars without existing hard rack systems. They consist of foam pads that sit on your car’s roof and straps that run through the car’s interior, securing the pads and the board.

• Installation: To install a soft rack, you place the foam pads on your roof, open your car doors, and run the securing straps through the cabin, buckling them tightly. You then place your board on the pads and use additional straps to secure it to the pads themselves.
• Pros: Affordable, easy to install and remove, portable (can be stored in your trunk), and compatible with most car types. They offer flexibility for those who don’t want a permanent roof rack.
• Cons: Less secure than hard racks for long distances or high speeds, can cause wind noise, may interfere with door seals (potentially leading to leaks if not installed correctly), and generally suitable for one or two boards at most. They also put direct pressure on your car’s roof, which some car owners might be wary of.

When making your choice, consider the frequency of use, the distance you’ll be traveling, and the value of your surfboard. For regular, long-distance trips, a hard rack from a reputable brand like those found at maxmotorsmissouri.com is a worthwhile investment. For casual, short trips, a quality soft rack can suffice.

Essential Accessories for Secure Transport

Beyond the roof rack itself, several accessories are crucial for ensuring your surfboard stays put and remains undamaged during transit.

• Rack Pads: These are padded sleeves that go over your hard rack crossbars. They protect your surfboard from dings and scratches and provide extra grip, preventing the board from sliding. Even with soft racks, ensure the foam is thick and resilient.
• Tie-Down Straps: High-quality tie-down straps are non-negotiable. Look for straps with durable cam buckles, not cheap plastic clips, which can loosen or break. Straps with a rubberized or neoprene cover around the buckle can prevent scratching your board or car. Avoid bungee cords, as they lack the necessary tension and can stretch, allowing the board to shift.
• Nose and Tail Protection: For longer boards, or during extended drives, consider using nose and tail protectors. These foam or neoprene caps shield the most vulnerable parts of your board from impacts and wind lift.
• Locking Straps (Optional): If you need to leave your car unattended with your board on the roof, locking straps provide an added layer of security. They typically feature a steel cable embedded within the strap and a locking mechanism.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Put a Surfboard on Top of a Car

Once you have your chosen roof rack system and all the necessary accessories, you’re ready to secure your surfboard. Precision and attention to detail are key here.

Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle and Equipment

• Clean Your Car Roof and Racks: Remove any dirt, sand, or debris from your car’s roof and the rack pads. Small particles can scratch your board or car’s paint.
• Install Rack Pads: Slide the rack pads onto your hard rack crossbars and secure them with their Velcro closures. If using a soft rack, position the foam pads evenly on your roof, typically just behind the front windshield and just forward of the rear window.
• Position Straps: Have your tie-down straps ready. For hard racks, drape them over the crossbars so they are easily accessible when you place the board. For soft racks, feed the securing straps through your car doors and tighten them before placing the board.

Step 2: Position Your Surfboard on the Roof

This step requires careful handling to avoid damaging your board or your car.

• Fin Placement: Always place your surfboard fin-side up. This protects the fins from impact and prevents them from pressing into your car’s roof, potentially causing damage. It also reduces aerodynamic drag and noise.
• Nose Forward: The nose of the board should face forward, towards the front of the car. This is the most aerodynamic position.
• Centering the Board: Carefully lift your surfboard onto the roof, centering it both front-to-back and side-to-side on the rack pads. Ensure the board is balanced and not overhanging too much on either end or side. For a single board, aim to have the front rack pad near the nose of the board’s middle and the rear rack pad near the tail’s middle for optimal weight distribution and stability.
• Multiple Boards: If carrying multiple boards, stack them carefully. Place the largest board on the bottom, with subsequent boards stacked on top, ensuring fins are still up. Use towels or thin foam sheets between boards to prevent dings.

Step 3: Secure the Surfboard with Tie-Down Straps

This is the most critical part of how to put a surfboard on top of a car. Correct strapping ensures your board’s safety.

• Drape the Straps: Take your tie-down straps and drape them over your surfboard, ensuring they are positioned directly over the crossbars (or soft rack pads).
• Feed the Straps: For hard racks, feed the loose end of each strap under the crossbar, then up and through the cam buckle. For soft racks, feed the straps over the board and through the buckle on the opposite side of the car, connecting to the part that runs inside the car.
• Twist the Straps (Important!): Before tightening, give each strap a half-twist or full twist (depending on length). This seemingly small detail significantly reduces strap vibration and wind noise at highway speeds, preventing the dreaded “buzzing” sound.
• Tighten Evenly: Pull the straps through the cam buckles, tightening them firmly. Alternate between the front and rear straps, gradually increasing tension on both. You want the board to be snug and immovable, but avoid overtightening, which can damage the board, especially if it’s a lightweight epoxy construction. The straps should be tight enough that the board doesn’t shift when you try to wiggle it, but not so tight that it bows or flexes.
• Check Buckle Placement: Ensure the cam buckles are positioned off the board itself, ideally to the side of the board or between the board and the rack. This prevents them from dinging the board or your car’s paint.
• Secure Excess Strap: Roll up or knot any excess strap length and tuck it securely. Loose straps can flap wildly in the wind, creating noise and potentially damaging your car’s paint or even coming undone.

Step 4: Perform a Final Security Check

Before driving off, always do a thorough check.

• The “Wiggle Test”: Firmly grasp the nose and tail of your surfboard and try to wiggle it. It should not move independently of the car. If there’s any significant movement, retighten the straps.
• Door Check: If using a soft rack, ensure the interior straps don’t interfere with your car’s door seals or windows. Make sure doors can close completely and securely.
• Visual Inspection: Walk around your car, visually inspecting all straps and connections. Ensure nothing is loose, twisted incorrectly, or obstructing your view.

Driving Tips When Transporting a Surfboard

Successfully learning how to put a surfboard on top of a car extends beyond just securing it; it also involves adjusting your driving habits.

• Reduce Speed: While tempting to maintain your usual speed, driving with a surfboard on the roof increases wind resistance and raises your center of gravity. Reduce your speed, especially on highways, during windy conditions, or around sharp turns.
• Be Mindful of Crosswinds: Strong crosswinds can act like sails on your surfboard, putting extra stress on your rack and potentially causing instability. Drive cautiously and anticipate gusts.
• Watch for Low Clearances: Don’t forget the added height of your surfboard. Be extremely careful when entering garages, carports, drive-thrus, or underpasses. Many a surfboard has met an untimely end due to this oversight.
• Regular Checks: For longer journeys, pull over every couple of hours to recheck your straps. Vibrations and bumps can sometimes cause straps to loosen.
• Avoid Harsh Braking/Accelerating: Smooth driving minimizes the forces acting on your board and straps.
• Parking Considerations: When parking, be aware of overhead obstacles like tree branches or low-hanging wires.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced surfers can make mistakes when transporting their boards. Being aware of these common pitfalls can save you a lot of hassle.

• Using Bungee Cords: As mentioned, bungee cords are insufficient for securing a surfboard. They stretch and provide inadequate tension, making your board vulnerable to movement or loss.
• Fins Down: Placing the board fins down is a recipe for disaster. It can damage your fins, ding your board, or even harm your car’s roof due to concentrated pressure points.
• Overtightening Straps: While you want your board secure, crushing it with excessive strap tension can lead to pressure dings or even delamination, especially with foam or EPS core boards.
• Not Twisting Straps: Forgetting the half-twist in your straps can lead to an incredibly annoying and loud buzzing sound from wind vibration, which can be distracting and damaging to the straps over time.
• Forgetting to Secure Excess Strap Length: Loose strap ends can whip against your car, damaging the paint, or even get caught in a wheel or another vehicle.
• Ignoring the Security Check: Skipping the wiggle test and visual inspection before driving off is a gamble you shouldn’t take.

Maintenance and Care for Your Gear

Proper care of your surfboard and transport equipment ensures longevity and continued safety.

• Clean Straps and Pads: After each use, especially if exposed to saltwater or sand, rinse your straps and rack pads. Salt and sand can cause wear and tear.
• Store Properly: Store your straps, pads, and soft rack in a dry, shaded place when not in use. Prolonged sun exposure can degrade materials.
• Inspect Regularly: Periodically check your hard rack components for rust, loose bolts, or wear. Inspect straps for fraying, cuts, or damaged buckles. Replace any compromised equipment immediately. A well-maintained transport system, like those accessories available through maxmotorsmissouri.com, will provide reliable service for years.

When to Consider Alternatives

While car-top transport is common, there are situations where alternatives might be better:

• Inside the Car: For shorter boards (under 7 feet), many cars, especially SUVs or hatchbacks with folded-down back seats, can accommodate a surfboard inside. This is the most secure option, offering protection from theft and weather. Always ensure the board is secured to prevent it from becoming a projectile in a sudden stop.
• Specialized Enclosed Carriers: Some premium roof box systems are designed to carry surfboards, offering superior protection from weather and theft, though they are much more expensive.
• Dedicated Surfboard Trailers: For multiple boards or extremely long boards, a small trailer might be a viable option, particularly for commercial use or group outings.

Conclusion

Mastering how to put a surfboard on top of a car safely is a fundamental skill for any surfer. By investing in the right equipment, following the step-by-step instructions for preparation and securing, and adopting careful driving habits, you can ensure your beloved board arrives at the beach in perfect condition, ready to catch some waves. Always prioritize safety and conduct thorough checks before every journey.

Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Cristian Steven