What's the best way to tie down my 9 foot surfboard to my car? Please help!! :(?

Question

Hey guys! I need some help! I have a 9 foot epoxy board and I've had it for years. I bought a softrack for it and usually use that when I surf. However, it completely freaks me out because I can see the surfboard going up and down as I drive on the freeway...looking like its going to fly off. I always tie it down as tight as possible with the softrack straps but the board still goes crazy up there and i get super nervous. I'm only ten minutes from the beach so I'm not going very far...but what can I do to make the board stay on better? I don't have a hard rack on my car because I'm getting a new car in the next couple years. I have a 4 door car. Should I use towels? Should I get surf straps? I need help!! :( :( Also...I always put the fin in the front of my car... please let me know! Thank you soo soo much!!! :) :)

Answer 1

If it's tied tight and secure, it wont flop around. So you need to get surf straps.

Keep your speed under 55mph. What's another minute of driving if it saves your board and a little gas? You can use towels.

Red tags are put on equipment that hangs off a car. I use them when I pick up 10 foot pieces of lumber that hangs out of my truck. I don't think you need them though. In your case it would simply mean putting a piece of red tape on the tail of your board that hangs of the back of the car.

Answer 2

Soft racks should do the trick. It helps to put your board in a travel bag (they are not to expensive) to hep protect. Spread your racks out as far apart as you can, and try to keep your speed down.

They also make neat hard racks that fasten on to the tops of sedans. Check out you Local surf shop, they can find them in stock or order them for you.

I drive thousands of miles a year with two, three or four boards on my car, and I have since the 60s. I'm leaving now, so I have to go put my boards on the car......

Answer 3

sounds like your doing everything right. mabye use a board bag if you have one, i dont know

Answer 4

I use soft racks all the time for my longboard.  If you're really worried about it use an extra strap over the front rack.  Maybe you need to move your board back a little in the rack.  I set mine to where the tail is sticking out about a foot over the windshield.  I've no idea what a red tag is.