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PACIFIC RACK · RACKS, PARTS & KNOW-HOW

Canoe

Find the gear and parts you need, with practical help from a specialty rack shop.

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Before you choose

Kayak supported by a J-style carrier on crossbars

Long boats and boards need a securement plan that accounts for wind, lifting, and the whole rack system.

Match the hullSaddles, J-cradles, stackers, or pads, chosen for your boat.
Plan the liftSolve the lifting problem before the strap problem.
Add bow and stern linesThe most skipped step, and one of the most valuable.
Popular add-ons:These parts are model-specific; check compatibility before ordering.
Bow/stern tie-down kit
Hood/hatch loop anchors
Pacific Rack door step
Saddle quick-release set
How to load and secure a long boat
  1. Confirm the rack, carrier, crossbar spread, and boat are compatible.
  2. Position the boat on saddles, J-cradles, stackers, or padded bars as intended.
  3. Route the primary cam straps around structural rack members, not decorative trim.
  4. Tighten enough to prevent movement without crushing the hull.
  5. Fit bow and stern restraints as required by the boat and carrier manufacturers.
  6. Secure strap tails and keep buckles away from paint and glass.
  7. Push and pull the boat before driving, then recheck after the first few miles.
No tow hooks?Hood and hatch loops give bow and stern lines a clean attachment point.
Snug, not cranked.End lines limit movement. They shouldn't bend the hull.
Recheck after a few miles.Knots seat, loops settle, and wet rope changes length.

Adapted from The Complete Vehicle Rack Handbook.

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