Surfing Waves

What's up guys,

I need to find out all of the possible ways to tie down a surfboard and most efficient ways to tie down, financially, without damaging a board and worrying about it flying off.

Can you guys give me a few ideas?

Here is the car I have. I know I can buy a soft rack or a hard rack but I'm looking for other less costly ways to tie down a board. Got any ideas?



Thanks for the help!

easiest, most secure: lay down the back seat and put it in the back.

if you're gonna be traveling a lot with it on the roof/long distances, go with a thule or yakima rack.

if it's gonna be a few of short trips/not that often, go with a soft rack.

travelracks.html

$50nz for a travel rack works great

If its more than a few times though nothing beats a proper set of roof bars.

No way! That looks awesome! That looks ideal for my situation. I currently don't have the standard roof racks like most cars so this will be great. I will check it out. And I'm glad it will work for 8-9ft longboards--that's all I surf with.


OH and can I tie down a board with this without a surfboard protector?

I have never used this brand...kind of cool for travel tho. I would think no bag necessary, just might want to protect the top of the car from wax and dings with a towel.

Chuck a towel on the top and use some tie downs through the doors.

DoorM4n wrote:No way! That looks awesome! That looks ideal for my situation. I currently don't have the standard roof racks like most cars so this will be great. I will check it out. And I'm glad it will work for 8-9ft longboards--that's all I surf with.


OH and can I tie down a board with this without a surfboard protector?

I use mine with longboards, but in boardbags, you could use it without but I'd want somethign round the board to protect it and the car.

It leaks (through the door seals) if it rains heavily - also if you put in a half twist at each corner it will be silent!!

Honestly if you have such a decent car pony up for proper roof bars.

Don't use soft racks. I scratched the hell out of my roof in just one journey. Go for the proper job roof bars.

Jonah_Fro wrote:Don't use soft racks. I scratched the hell out of my roof in just one journey. Go for the proper job roof bars.

Yeah be careful with the soft ones. You get a build up of sand and salt on them and they will damage the paint on your roof. I imagine cleaning them regularly helps but I was too late when I noticed my roof.

I only use them on hire cars now!

I am only able to surf once a month cause of my location from the nearest beach. I actually don't officially own a board but need a way to travel with one when I do use one. Until I get settled in to an apartment closer to the beach I won't invest in a roof rack. I'm gonna scout around looking for proper deals. Thanks for the help so far.

Never use a soft rack if it's raining!! - I got the whole of my car soaked when it rained hard enough to soak the rack material, then it drips down the straps and pees all over the driver!!

Hey Guys!
So I got a luggage rack and my car basically looks just like this with the 2 crossing bar in the middle of my basic roof rack. I am now on a quest to find out how to strap a board to my roof. Can somebody explain how? Which ropes, specific tying styles, and the basic logistics of tying down a surfboard to a roof rack without a soft rack. Thanks!

DoorM4n wrote:Hey Guys!
So I got a luggage rack and my car basically looks just like this with the 2 crossing bar in the middle of my basic roof rack. I am now on a quest to find out how to strap a board to my roof. Can somebody explain how? Which ropes, specific tying styles, and the basic logistics of tying down a surfboard to a roof rack without a soft rack. Thanks!

serously? (that spelling doesnt look right?) erm, you need to get some specific instructions on how to tie a board down? Maybe Ive had a few too many afterwork beers or something but isnt it obvious? Sorry if im being horrid! eeek!

Get these ( or somethin like it) follow the instructions and follow common sense:
http://www.ridershack.com/dakinebaja12f ... p-431.html

get tie downs with a cinche at one end (like sar linked too) and loop it under the bar either side of the board.

So basicaly put the cinch to one side of the board/bar ,
throw the rest over the board.

loop it under the bar
throw the rest back to the 1st side.
loop the end under the bar then feed through the cinch & tighten.

Get a 40mm suspension lift, snorkel, air lockers, and some decent M/T tyres on it.

The reason I asked that juvenile question is because I was wondering specifically if their were certain positions the board needs to be in and certain straps that are recommended. I know how to tie a board down with normal ropes and all but I wasn't sure whether certain style of wrapping was needed and all. I do appreciate the help guys, I'm going out surfing today for the first time in 6 months. I can't wait; I really hope the waves are nice.