Do you need to use the bow and stern straps when tying a kayak on a J-type roof rack?

Question

The kayak is 9 ft 6 in. and will be sitting on the roof of the car strapped into two J-type roof carriers. Since it's a relatively short kayak, will I need to also use the bow and stern straps?

Answer 1

If you're using a Yakima Hullraiser or something similar, and it's mounted on a Yakima rack - not your factory rack, AND you're not going a terribly long distance, then you're probably fine without the bow & stern lines.  A boat strapped into a HullRaiser or Maloney J rack is pretty solid on it's own.

If you're hitting the highway for a long distance, I'd use at least a bow line for safety.  

I would DEFINITELY use both bow and stern lines if you're mounting the J-carriers to your factory cross bars.

Answer 2

What she said (campaholicone2000)