If you love water sports, carrying kayaks or SUPs on your boat is an absolute must! Whether you’re new to the hobby or you’re a seasoned expert, transporting your SUP or kayak on a boat is a great way to instantly boost your fun. However, there are better ways to go about this than throwing your costly gear on the boat’s floor and hoping for the best. In this article, we’ll explain the best and most efficient methods for carrying SUPs and kayaks on a boat.
Why Some Don’t Carry Kayaks on Their Boat
Many kayak owners never get to experience carrying their kayak on a boat because they either don’t realize it’s a viable option or they think it’s just too much of a hassle. The same goes for SUP enthusiasts. Often, these adventurers settle for renting paddleboards at the location they are boating to. But carrying your kayak or SUP on a boat opens up a whole new world of possibilities!
Many Paddlers ride out within paddling distance of a special spot, anchor, and launch your kayak or SUP from there. Rinse and repeat as needed. Transporting your gear via boat opens up a world of new adventures and fun. Your boat can take you to secluded aquatic areas that you can’t reach any other way.
How to Carry Your SUP or Kayak On a Boat
It’s easy to justify transporting gear on the boat floor. It’s fast and easy, plus what good options do I have anyway? Well, the good news is, there are some great options. Options that are fast, easy, safe, and secure. Which turns out to be a pretty big deal. Transporting your kayak or SUPs on the floor of your boat seems convenient, but it comes at a cost.
Not only can it lead to potential injuries to your passengers, but it also adds to the wear and tear of your boat. Plus, it’s an eyesore and a cumbersome annoyance which you already know. Short-term, it’s quick, but if you’re looking for a better, more organized long-term option, you’ll need a smarter solution. Like storage racks.
Storage Racks
Storage racks are easily the most convenient and reliable way to transport kayaks and SUPs. They let you secure your gear safely, up and out of the way. It’s a popular choice for many reasons – here’s a few:
- First, they are a simple and sturdy way to hold your gear and keep it organized.
- Second, they slide right in using the fishing rod holders your boat already has. No installation is necessary.
- Finally, they are a game-changing solution for anyone planning to take their kayak or SUP out on the water more than once. They’re just as convenient and dependable as a quality car rack system, just for your boat.
Honorable Mention
Inflatable kayaks and SUPs are popular for obvious reasons if you don’t mind inflating and deflating them every time you want to move. They’re a perfectly viable option when wanting to transport your kayak or SUPs in your boat. Just deflate, fold, and store.
There are additional benefits to inflatable Kayaks and SUPs. They are soft, so you don’t have to worry about dinging them on your boat if they hit the boat. They won’t hurt your passengers if they accidentally hit one. Inflatable options are also a good choice for beginner paddlers, to get their feet wet so to speak. However, if you are tired of inflating and deflating just to move, Manta Racks S1 & S2 Rack Systems will work with inflatable SUPs.
But as you get more advanced, you might find yourself wanting to invest in a hard kayak or paddleboard, so you can steer more precisely, handle weather conditions better, and save the valuable time you’d spend inflating and deflating this gear. With that said, let’s get back to racks.
How to Find the Perfect Kayak Rack for Boat
A storage rack for your boat will be a long-term investment. So, it’s key to get racks that are high quality and built to withstand the elements. How do you find top-quality SUP and kayak racks? Look no further. We have the best quality options available. Manta Racks offers a variety of rack systems to fuel your adventure. Let’s take a deep dive into your options.
The L2K
The Manta Racks L2K rack system transports both kayaks and paddleboards. It’s durable, incredibly simple to use, and comes with everything you need to transport your gear. Drop-in ready, these racks slide easily into any boat’s flush-mounted fishing rod holders.
No permanent installation is required. No hassle whatsoever. Crafted with top-quality solid powder-coated aluminum and EVA Foam cushioning here in the USA, these racks are built to last. They work on center console boats, walk-around consoles, yacht tenders, and more. This kayak rack system is perfect for transporting 1 Kayak up to 11” wide or 1 large paddleboard, such as the LIVE Watersports L2 & L4, and the Dragonfly Paddleboards.
The S1 & S2
Manta Racks also offers the S1 and S2 boat storage systems. These are ideal options for paddleboard transportation; they don’t support kayaks. The S1 paddleboard storage rack transports one paddleboard up to 6 ¾” thick, while the S2 system fittingly transports two paddleboards up to 6 ¾” thick.
Our systems rotate and lock to keep the racks parallel with your boat’s gunwale. Our rotating head compensates for the angle of the rod holder on the gunnel. Make sure the rack system you choose matches the angle of your rod holder. This angle is super-easy to measure with the free Angle Meter App for smartphones.
Transport Kayaks & SUPs with Ease
Taking kayaks and paddleboards on boats is getting more and more popular because of the tremendous freedom it allows adventurers. And now, with Manta Racks, you can take back your boat’s deck, so your kayaks and SUPs aren’t left to slide around chaotically, tripping people, taking up valuable space, and scuffing your expensive investments.
Finally, there’s a better way to carry SUPs and kayaks on your boat. Get your very own Manta Racks today and embark on your new and improved oceanwide adventures!
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