Making sure your kayak is fastened properly is vital for on-the-road safety. Here are some pointers on loading and transporting your kayak.

Car Racks
There are several car racks manufacturers on the market. Be sure to shop around and find the rack that best suits your car size and kayaking needs.

Loading your Kayak
Before loading on top of the automobile, make sure the seat is as flat as possible to the bottom and loose straps are tucked under the seat. The Bungee cord used to secure the MirageDrive® pedal back can be used to help hold the seat down. We recommend that the seat be removed from the kayak when car topping for long journeys.

Depending on the position of the roof racks, either lay the boat beside the car or lay it directly behind with the rudder end closest to the back. In either case, pick up the rudder end to prevent scraping on the ground and place it as far on the rack as possible. Then get the other end and lift and push the boat to the top. From the side loading position, twist the bow to the front of the vehicle; and from the rear, push the boat completely on top, then twist the bow around to the front. On rough or rocky terrain, put something under the bow to prevent scratching and to make sliding the stern on top a little easier.

Securing
There are many different means of securing the kayak to your racks. The best way to secure your kayak is with two straps with grabbing buckles or a ratchet tightening mechansim. These systems are quick, easy and make a really secure tiedown. The straps do not have to be heavy duty. Medium duty is plenty. After the boat is positioned, run the straps through the opening for the MirageDrive and then on each side, run the straps around the loading rack. By pulling them tight, the boat will not move side to side. For safety sake, it is always good to secure the bow and stern by running a line tied to the bumper through the padeye that holds the carrying handle and back to the bumper. You shouldn't rely on this extra precaution to hold the boat to your car, but as a means of a secondary safety precaution. When on long trips, stop periodically to check the tightness of the straps.