Bow and Stern Lines - Kayak Security & Transportation

You've probably seen a kayak on top of a vehicle going down the road with ropes attached to the front and back of the kayak. Your first thought might be that they help hold the kayak down. Well this is actually not the case as bow and stern lines are more of a preventative measure to keep your kayak from rolling down the road in case it happens to get lose. Here is a short video of how to secure your kayak, and the options you have for doing so.
www.aldercreek.com

[@michaelschaller7572]

Let this be a lesson to others trying to get the same feel as this great video sense of humour goes a really long way .

[@ChickensForEggs]

Love the "Paddle, Fish, Repeat" t-shirt! Side note, I'm looking forward to the knots video! Great idea.

[@SueKloetzer]

This is a PERFECT video! Thank you! - Question.... link to the knots? Thank you!

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

Glad you liked the video! Unfortunately our team member making the videos never got around to the knot video, but we hope to get those made in the fall!

[@expomm]

Great video, can u tie the bow and stern to the cross bar on the roof instead?

[@danielbarry836]

This video is quality! I saw the comments there was no knot video :(

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Where's the knot tying video? You said next week and it's been 8 months.

[@berger4112]

Agreed. Thanks AlderCreekKayakCanoe....

[@frierthai]

I’m waiting!

[@goosebumpp]

We're still waiting...

[@sunnesonne]

Still waiting

[@thedrifttheory]

Still waiting 😢

[@lisastevens9392]

I just bought those hood straps from you all the way across the country because you're hilarious 13/10

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

SUCCESS!!! Haha, enjoy the hood loops! Hope they make transporting boats easier!

[@dawsonzinza1671]

Are we still going to get that follow-up "knotty" video? I love your videos. :)

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

Hey Dawson! It's on our list of off-season projects this winter! Sorry to leave y'all in such suspense!

[@GamerKidEdits]

I’m ready for the ‘knotty’ video as well.

[@routinedrop4692]

What a great informative video, funny as well! Thank you

[@antsy_does]

Will ANY kind of rope do? Any thickness? Parachord? Cheap Home Depot rope??

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

Sure, just about any kind of line will be better than nothing! Check out our response to Heather Thompson below!

[@heatherthompson4602]

What kind of rope is best for the bow and stern tie down?

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

Good question! You can make most anything work, but there are certainly better and worse options. Try to avoid braided polypropylene rope as it doesn't hold knots as well and degrades notably. We've used paracord and camstraps, but nylon cord in the 3mm to 6mm range is probably our favorite!

[@maryo8528]

@@AlderCreekKayakCanoe doesn’t nylon stretch when it gets wet?

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

@@maryo8528 most ropes will inherently have some stretch to them unless they are reinforced with another fiber like aramid or dyneema, making a truly static rope. We like nylon because it is inexpensive and plenty strong. You could also consider a polyester rope which has less stretch than nylon. If you are taking your boat on an epic paddling roadtrip, we recommend double checking all straps and ropes periodically for shifting, slip, or stretch!

[@tdg223]

How would I tie down a wilderness pungo? I have the hood anchors but all I have is fixed carry handles, do I anchor to those, or is there a small loop thing I can wrap around handles to hook too.

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

Yup! The carry handles at either end will be your best points for bow and stern lines. You can either hook directly to them or tie off a continuous loop to attach to the handles.

[@tdg223]

@@AlderCreekKayakCanoe thank you

[@boatman222345]

Call me cautious but I've been car topping canoes and kayaks for more than 50 years and would never depend upon such small diameter line as you use in this video. Sure it will keep the kayak from sliding forwards or backwards but if the front restraining strap ever broke or suffered buckle failure that parachute cord would snap and your kayak would become a missile! You might want to get a bumper sticker made that says "Tailgating Can Lead to Death!" 😂

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

Everyone should do what makes them most comfortable! This cordage, bow and stern, has about 1,000lb breaking strength.

[@boatman222345]

@@AlderCreekKayakCanoe My dad was a mechanical engineer at Plymouth Cordage Rope Company which was the largest rope manufacturer at the time. I once asked him what "breaking strength" meant and he just smiled. To give you an example of "real life" stats I once had an almost new 3/8" 3 strand nylon dock line instantly snap when a passing boat wake caused my boat to jerk the line. The "breaking strength" of that line was 4,400 lbs. Most parachute cord is rated around 400 lbs breaking strength although there is one manufacturer who does claim 1,000 lbs. I'm not saying that your cord wouldn't handle a rack strap malfunction at 60 mph…but I am saying it's not worth taking the chance😩

[@wendylynn3616]

Needing a bow line makes sense for high speeds. Why do you also need one on the stern?

[@87_North]

probably just stability. I have a 75lb fishing kayak, so i just feel safer with it on.

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

That's a great question! The entire goal of bow and stern lines is to keep your boat with your vehicle. With only a bow line, you risk whipping your boat(s) forward into the car ahead of you or positioning your craft to promptly run over them. We personally know someone who used to only do bow lines until they had to slam on their brakes, only to then run over their kayaks. They now use stern lines as well!

[@fluffythekitten1013]

If I have two kayaks up, can I loop the lines through both? Effectively using one line in the front and one line in the back, or do I need four lines total? Thanks!

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

You can certainly lace them together! Remember, the goal is to tether the boats to the vehicle.

[@Carlo.Giovagnoli_22]

Hi, the suggested system works if the car is longer than the kayak! If only one of the central anchors were to give up the bow or stern lines would be banned and would be of little use! Buy a S.W.!!

[@flynnzilla8796]

Very clear video, thanks! (please consider not adding music - it’s a bit distracting and i want to hear what you say! : )

[@teddd10]

Brian is the dude!

[@limirl]

Do you tie the front at both left and right corners of your car?

[@6136086]

great video ， my car doesn’t have tow hooks.

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

Check out a product called "hood loops"! Better than sliced bread!

[@gammatnt]

2:11 mark, thanks for the laugh.

[@amyfreeze9772]

Good thanks

[@chuckles470s9]

Very helpful. Thx

[@wwortman_3619]

I'm putting a kayak on the same car as in the video lmao

[@jr5389]

👍.....Knotty...😉

[@coreyjohansen9823]

Naughty Brian

[@tuberider1171]

classic 😂

[@PaddleDogC5]

Lines were useless being that lose.

[@franksflytraps]

If you have 2 kayaks vertical on your roof, do you run one line through both or do you need two separate lines?

[@AlderCreekKayakCanoe]

Great question! Ideally, two separate lines would be the most secure. That being said, then end goal is to keep your boats with your vehicle, so if you can securely tether both boats with a single line, I would call that acceptable!

[@mollymartian9969]

use two separate lines. the greater the angle in the line the greater the force on them. roperescuetraining.com/physics_angles.php