Wondering if anyone has used a Sea to Summit inflatable pack rack to transport their canoe on top of their car for any real distance. If so, would you recommend it or not? Thanks in advance!

I just saw these last week when I was looking for a rack system for my truck to haul kayaks and canoes.

I have not used one or looked at one, just seen them online, so this is just my opinion. My first impression would be these are a step up from the foam blocks. It would probably work for someone who wants to get into paddling.

I, for one, hate it when the straps go on the inside of the car. They always get in the way of people’s heads. Then there might be the issue of it going flat during a longer transport. Not many options out on a highway to repair it.

Not sure if it’s an issue, but I would watch for these scratching your car top paint. Dirt roads or dirty cars and moving mounts could cause trouble. These might be fine for going a short way to a lake, but I would want something better for a longer trip.

Just my $.02.

It's an interesting idea, but what happens if it pops when you are going 70 on the freeway?

Wabawho: "Wondering if anyone has used a Sea to Summit inflatable pack rack to transport their canoe on top of their car for any real distance. If so, would you recommend it or not? Thanks in advance!"

I used something similar, borrowed from a friend who used it a few times. It got the job done.

Savage Voyageur: "Not sure if it’s an issue, bu I would watch for these scratching your car top paint. Dirt roads or dirty cars and moving mounts could cause trouble."

That is a concern with the foam blocks as well.

I also would be concerned with deflation as others noted.

Since you're going to have straps through the car anyway, why not get yourself a Spring Creek DIY Suction Cup Rack kit? What's shown is for ONE RACK. You would need TWO of these, plus a 2 x 4 for each. If you're planning to carry two canoes, you'll want 78" 2 x 4s. If you're planning to never carry more than one canoe, then you can go shorter.

I used this system for years until I bought a different vehicle where I could use a Yakima rack. I just sold it to a BWCA.com board member. I'm sure he'll be using it for years, too. Great system.

Whatever you do, I would encourage you to do it right the first time. Don't mess around with inflatable tubes that are designed to carry a 10' plastic kayak a mile to the beach while driving 25 mph.

We never have a canoe transport trip less than 40 miles, and frequently have several hundred miles of travel with the canoe on the car. Home to Ely is 1250 miles. I wouldn't be comfortable with this rig for any of those trips.

TZ

Jackfish: "Since you're going to have straps through the car anyway, why not get yourself a Spring Creek DIY Suction Cup Rack kit? What's shown is for ONE RACK. You would need TWO of these, plus a 2 x 4 for each. If you're planning to carry two canoes, you'll want 78" 2 x 4s. If you're planning to never carry more than one canoe, then you can go shorter.

I used this system for years until I bought a different vehicle where I could use a Yakima rack. I just sold it to a BWCA.com board member. I'm sure he'll be using it for years, too. Great system.

Whatever you do, I would encourage you to do it right the first time. Don't mess around with inflatable tubes that are designed to carry a 10' plastic kayak a mile to the beach while driving 25 mph. "

Jackfish, I'm getting a new to me car this fall and am trying to figure out how to transport a canoe and kayak to and from the Cities to Ely and our cabin in Wisconsin. Is this rig good for freeway speeds with 2 boats?

I have not used those. But I did pick up this kind of sea to summit rack, cheap, from the gander mountain closeout. Have used it more for paddle board, but it is a two thumbs up product. I have observed no paint scratching.

And it is secure and easy.

(Forgive picture, my daughter is driving us back right now from a very crowded bwca outing. Always bring these in case I find a good deal on a canoe and need to roof top it home. )

If you are going to regularly carry boats around then I would get a Yakima or Thule rack and avoid having straps going through your doors and through the car.

If you are going to do something with straps then I definitely second the Spring Creek DIY rack. We have that at our cabin in Ely because we fly into MSP, rent a car, and drive up. I can easily adjust the DIY rack for any vehicle and it is really, really solid and holds two canoes well. For a short drive with one canoe, I will sometimes still use foam blocks. But for a long drive or two boats, the DIY rack is great.

One thing to check on the Sea to Summit inflatable is to make sure your boat is less than 30" wide where the racks will go. On a small car where the racks may be close together that might possibly be an issue with a tandem canoe. The non-inflatable Sea to Summit Soft Car Rack is wider. I think that's the one in the picture from Drab.

At home we have a Yakima rack that can stay on all the time.

GickFirk22: "Jackfish, I'm getting a new to me car this fall and am trying to figure out how to transport a canoe and kayak to and from the Cities to Ely and our cabin in Wisconsin. Is this rig good for freeway speeds with 2 boats?"

Countless trips to Atikokan and the northside of Quetico with two canoes on the rack and driving normal highway speeds (i.e. 65-75 mph) with zero problems. I had Dodge Caravans with the venting back windows so I could spread the bars a bit more than on a car, but with good straps over the canoes at each rack and tie downs front and back, you could drive anywhere you like with no worries. I really liked the rack and it served me well on my vans with no roof bars.

Here are a few pics. I'll look for a pic or two of the van with two canoes on top.