How to Tie a Canoe to Your Vehicle

In this video I demonstrate how to tie a canoe to a vehicle under two very different scenarios.

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First Scenario: Roof Rack
In this scenario the vehicle has a factory installed roof rack with after-market cross bars with special brackets to hold a canoe. I show how to use both a canoe strap or to tie it on with a rope using a bowline and truckers hitch. I tie the front of the canoe down using rope and under the hood webbing loops. These are easy to make and if you carry a canoe often I highly recommend installing some.

Second Scenario: No Roof Rack
In this scenario I place the canoe on the vehicle with foam pads that mount on the gunwales of the canoe. This is more of a challenge as there are limited places to tie to. I show various ways to use straps or ropes to tie the vehicle to the roof through the back doors or to the post between the two doors. Because this isn’t as solid as with roof racks I use both fore and aft lines to tie the boat more firmly to the front and rear of the car. Since there is limited tying locations in the rear of the vehicle I demonstrate how to use the trunk as a tie point.

My Rules for Tying a Canoe to a Vehicle
1. Always use good quality strong straps or ropes.
2. Always tie down the canoe in at least three locations – four is even better.
3. Always tie down to something solid like the metal frame of the vehicle – never plastic parts.
4. Cinch that boat down tight.
5. Pay attention to the geometry of the fore and aft ropes – especially if you don’t have two solid tie down points on a roof rack.

There are a bunch of good videos already out there on how to tie a canoe to a vehicle but I haven’t seen anyone demonstrate with and without roof racks and very few demonstrate the under hood loops or the trunk trick. Hopefully I have contributed something new.

My wife pointed out how easily I lift the boat onto the vehicles and perhaps I should show other techniques for folks who aren't as strong. Perhaps I will make another video.

Yes I know my vehicles are dirty. That’s what you get for living in a rural area on a dirt road. Washing vehicles is pointless.

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Any opinions expressed in this video are mine and mine alone and are not related to my employer or any other organization or individual. I have not been paid to make this video or to endorse a product. If I am ever paid for an endorsement or provided other compensation I will state it clearly in the video. Any advice or demonstration I provide is just advice. The viewer should take responsibility for their own actions, follow any manufacturers warnings and directions and act safely and responsibly when travelling in the backcountry.