How to Car Top an Inflatable Kayak

The best way to transport inflatable kayaks when using a car is deflated and rolled up in the trunk. In the trunk they will be more secure and present no added wind resistance. It doesn’t take too long to unroll and pump them up at the put in either.
If you don’t have room inside your trunk for a kayak, this video will walk you through the process of how to transport it inflated on top of your car.
Helpful Tips
Deflate the kayak slightly before strapping it down. The sun will heat up the air inside the kayak, causing it to expand and potentially damage the boat if it’s not slightly deflated.
If you don’t have a roof rack you can open the doors and loop the cam strap through the car.
Equipment
2 x 12-15’ cam straps
P.S.
Have you heard about AIRE’s sister companies, Outcast Sporting Gear and AIRE Environmental? Outcast Sporting Gear produces quality fishing boats and equipment, while AIRE Environmental products protect our rivers from pollution.
Websites:
- www.aire.com
- www.outcastboats.com
- www.aireenvironmental.com

[@elisamerva2617]

Great explanation 👌 thank you.

[@philstevens6934]

The cam buckles should not be tight against the inflatable. Doing that will cause the buckle to rub against the material and potentially cause weakness and eventually a leak.

[@IppokratisPoimenidis]

Excellent vdeo. Thankhk you

[@AireWaterSports]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@georgewaters8592]

For extra support I used to use two PVC pipes with caps on either end that were about 3 inches in diameter and maybe 8 feet long, I ran them lengthwise and they picked up my home made roof rack [this was a 93 Jeep Wrangler with a hardtop] using just those reusable twist ties and the rest of the install was just like the video.
I did that for a while but now, I either transport inside the car, or rolled up in its bag in a rooftop basket.
Good Video.

[@dreamerxxxc]

Why not post video of what you did?

[@georgewaters8592]

@@dreamerxxxc can't ! I was doing this like 10 years ago, and did not have the technology like there is today to make videos.

[@livenhfree]

OK, I'm no physics expert, but if I'm not mistaken, letting air out makes sense at first because of heating/expansion from the sun. However... once you tighten the inflatable back down, doesn't it just raise the relative air pressure in the kayak to where it was initially (or even more)?

[@AhmadYusuf85]

Thanks for the video.
Was just wondering, isn't it better to put the kayak upside down for less wind resistance? I mean the nose will be pointing down in this case

[@AireWaterSports]

Thanks for your comment Ahmad. You're probably right as far as wind resistance goes. if you really want to cut down on wind resistance though, the best way to transport an inflatable kayak is rolled up inside the vehicle.

[@philstevens6934]

No. If you place the kayak nose down you create a parachute effect that will potentially cause wind to lift the car slightly. I know because I did this with a canoe and going over a hill at speed I could feel the car get light.

[@falconheavy595]

@@philstevens6934 where is the problem ? you can just take off, So therefore no hassle of kayaking is necessary anymore 😁😁😆😆

[@squid_fish]

Put the boat upside down with more stern back off the end IMO. Especially upside down if doing two boats. I would not recommend roof-topping an IK longer than a shuttle or a few miles anyways.

[@Freda6699]

Could I put extra line inside car?

[@Freda6699]

Could extra line fo inside car

[@sandrafrances]

Just what I needed. Single woman trying to manage this. I have a pump. I may try rolling it up. Can the pumps run off the car?

[@georgewaters8592]

They make pumps that run off the car, but I personally prefer a big barrel pump.