traveling long distances with a roof rack

[little waves]

Ok - this weekend I am going to be road tripping it (long weekend), bout 5 hour road trip to warmer waters to surf.

i have never owned a fiberglass surfboard (only my big plastic bic) and i know that fiberglass boards are delicate. i recently purchased a 6'4" glass board (pic in the shortboarders section). but anyways, my question is, i use soft racks on my car. would having it on the roof with those tight straps cinched around it for that long a ride, hwy driving with possible stones etc hitting it be that bad for the board? would it get pressure dents having the straps pulled tight around it?

it is a possibility to put the board in the car, but definitely an inconvenience if i dont have to - as there will be other people in my already small car.

thanks.

[drowningbitbybit]

If the board is in a bag, it should be fine - if it isnt a bag, put it IN the car 'til you get one!

The soft racks dont tend to pressure-ding boards, but bungee straps do

As for stones and stuff - yeah, they can damage boards if you're unlucky

Make sure you put the fins at the front of the car facing up - that way the rocker of the board fits around the car (less wind resistance, and less area for stones to smack into), and the fins trap the board should it start to slide backwards

[little waves]

ya, i haven't gotten a bag yet. the shop i went to didn't have the right size at the time (they are ordering it for me).

i think i have decided to take the car with the fold down seats though, so i will prob put the board in the car to be safer.

have used the rack with my bic - but on the other hand its a bic, i could probably drive over it and not have a problem

psyched about my trip though, there will def be pics to come later next week.

[k mac]

nice to see you back little waves ! havea good trip

[libby]

I travelled between uni and my home with my (fiberglass) board on the roof, in a board bag, secured with soft racks. Its a 7 hour drive and it was fine. Be careful when your securing your board though, otherwise you get that really annoying buzzing noise from the straps, bearable for 20 minutes, definatley not for 7 hours

[Driftingalong]

Just curious...where are you headed?

[little waves]

i think i will be in belmar area - found a nice little reasonably priced travelodge near there.