I could use this info as well. BTW, you posted this in the "Interior" section - you might do better posting/moving this to the "Exterior" section where there are other threads about exterior mounted baskets, carriers, racks, mounts, etc.

 

OOPS, I thought I chose the exterior. Damn old eyes, fingers, etc.

If a Mod sees this, please move it.

Thanks!

 

Dont hau a canoe but with kayaks you have fdii so tow hooks work front and back to keep it from flapping up
Prefer crossbars to flat roof as provides more secure tie down
Short distance foam on roof will work but wouldnt want that on a regular basis

 

Sportsman stores usually sell foam blocks that fit on cross bars or u can place them straight on your roof

 

Ya, foam gunnel blocks...then you can move them from vehicle to vehicle.

Only thing is I wouldn't want to trust them for a long drive at highway speeds, just too much give.

But to get from here to there they work fine.

Whatever you do, please bridle the front of the boat. Side loads can twist a boat right off the top, you want two attachment points on the vehicle, up front going up to the bow. They can go into one tie down on the bow or just have two tie downs...these should be webbing straps, not rope.

I have a rack on the XL7 but just rails on my Patriot...when I move my kayak by Patriot I simply lay a folded army blanket onto the roof, strap it down via the rails and tie off the bow...nothing on the stern, and it seems plenty secure. No roof damage yet but not many miles that way either.

 

You seem to have the same ideas as I. Using foam blocks I rest my canoe between the side rails. Its a nice snug fit, maybe an inch to spare. I have the factory crossbars but kept mine removeable -- they'd be a nuisance otherwise.

Finding a place to tie is challenging. Most recently I've kept my canoe where I use it so Ignatz hasn't had to carry it in a year or two. What I recall is that you've really got to go for a crawl to find something solid for tying the bow and stern. That said, you can tie the thwarts to the side rails to minimize front-to-back movement.

As Metaxa says, a light tie on the front will keep it from flapping, but I tie the rear too. Its still a smart idea to keep the speed down.

Keep calm and paddle on!

 

I made up some hood ties, you can also buy them from Thule (I think).

Just a 6 inch length of old rubber hose and tie a loop into it. I punched two holes through and through and just made an approx foot long loop.

Open your hood, place the hose into the inner fender such that when you close the hood it clamps onto the hose. Leave the loop hanging out and use that as your tie down point. Not going to hold the Titanic but fine for my 8' kayak.

This way no rope or strap rubbing onto anything on the front end either.

 

Clever! :notworthy:

 

I have put a canoe on my pat a few times. I put it on the cross bars for the roof rack. I went to Lowes' and got that foam water pipe insulation and put it over the crossbars to pad the canoe and keep from scratching it up. Then used the tow hooks and ratchet straps. One on the front, one on the back, and one looped over the middle of the canoe around the roof rack bars. Worked well for me and total investment not including the crossbars was less than 20 bucks. This was used with a 14 foot canoe and is about as long a canoe as should be placed on top of a vehicle. I did it once with a friends 16 footer and it overhung way too much and even straped down tight it was moving around.
If I were going to haul a canoe that long again I would want one of those rear hitch inserts that turns up and has a flat bar across the top to offer more support for a longer canoe.

 

... I went to Lowes' and got that foam water pipe insulation and put it over the crossbars to pad the canoe and keep from scratching it up...

Not sure if they're cheaper but consider pool noodles as well.

Here's a relevant discussion on the uses of pool noodles.

 

Some good ideas, thank you, and keep them coming.

Also, any photos would be great. I'm not sure I understand exactly your "old hose" method Metaxa?

 

I have not had a canoe for many years, and used to transport in my Truck. But want to use the Tracker or Jeep now.

We'd mostly use it for fishing, and some easy float trips, no wild rapids.

Here's the canoe we are looking at:
http://www.dunhamssports.com/products/old-town-saranac-146-xt-canoe/

 

just remember 79 lbs is not the easiest to lift/load onto a vehicle,
i would recommend rear cross bar with roller that lets you slide it on and into position.

 

This is what I made up.



Just Google canoe hood tie down and you can look at a lot more...mine are uglier but way, way less expensive.

 

We close a ratchet strap end, with a knot tied in it, in the hood, between the latch and spring. Simple, cheap and functional

 

Just hauled a old town tandem kayak and have had a 16' canoe on top. Thule crossbars and used the straps from the Yakima kayak carriers for our other kayaks. Rear to hitch, front two to under radiator support, couple of holes worked there. The straps had the rubber sleeve on them to protect the hood where it domes up over. Occasionally haul three swiftly 9.9's on top top up to Inlet Ny and fourth lake. I did put a pillow under the tandem kayak as I wasn't sure how much flex it might have seeing as how it's plastic.

 

Use a Yakima roof rack with the Gunwale brackets and straps. Tie end to the hitch and the front to the hood using some straps mentioned by AKAngelBear above. Tie all my ropes with a truckers hitch. Carry a Old Town Saranac 146. I can load it by myself fairly easy or super quick with 2 people.