Question about roof racks!

[twangg]

hey guys, i'm new to surfing and just bought my first board.. however i gotta drive to the ocean a considerable distance and want to know whats the best way to transport it. i know a rack mounted to my hood is the strongest way and probably the safest but that costs over 300 bucks with all the straps and accesories needed! i saw a soft roof rack that goes thru your windows but will that damage my board on a long trip? doesnt seem like it would hold it all too stable. am i really just best off biting the bullet and buying a roof rack? thanks a bunch guys

[Sillysausage]

the soft roof racks go through your door, they are ok for shorter distances and day trips etc but it can be a pain putting them on and off etc. they won't damage your board because they were designed for this purpose and they are stable.

if you have the money, go for a fixed roof rack. they can be used for more than carrying just surfboards plus its more practical for everyday surfing etc.

this is just my opinion though, had soft roofracks before and even though they do the job fixed ones are better

[garbarrage]

if it rains a lot where you are stay away from soft roof racks. as sillysausage said the straps go through the car. any rain heavier than a drizzle and they channel the water straight into your car. absolute nightmare in ireland. rains all winter here. think you are overpricing the hard rack tho. bought one for bout 130 euro. and almost everything is about 10% more expensive here than anywhere else in the world. better again sell the car and buy a van. much more useful if you do any travelling to surf. save money on accomodation food etc.

[twangg]

you guys seems to just think it's worth to bite the bullet and attach the roof rack it seems... thats probably what i will do. as far as me overpricing it, i went straight to a couple manufacturers (thule, yakima) and both quoted me about 250 for the rack and then another 50-100 for the crossbar pads and straps. so all together roughly 300-350 without the tax. thanks for your help guys

[Sillysausage]

not sure about roof rack prices, but wouldnt buy the pads and straps from them. go to a car show to get some tie downs and then buy the foam pipe stuff and tape that onto the roofracks, cost less if you want to save money

a mate of mine got the tie downs for £5 for 2 of them and the foam pads cost about £0.50

[Dr Rev]

I would go with Thule, thay are expensive but easy to fit and will last a long while !
Well worth the money !

[jethrodog]

If you are willing to pay for a good board, pay for the good rack. Consider it part of the cost of having your own decent board. What would suck more, paying the $300 for the rack or losing your $600 surfboard on the freeway going 120kmh?