Are you driving?
If you're taking a car and just don't want to go through the expense of a full roof rack, you can often get cheap kits for tying a kayak to your roof. Normally it's just a couple sponges and some straps.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_i_NWWSZ9ESZV1VX121S22H
My father gave me a similar one. Think he might have gotten it at Princess Auto or Canadian Tire.
I would definitely consider used, there isn't a whole lot that can go wrong with these boats so 99% of the used ones will be perfectly seaworthy. I'd also definitely recommend a sit on top for stability while fishing, the Cobra brand kayaks seem to be much more stable than other brands due to their width and hull design. I bought my Cobra Fish n Dive on Craigslist for $350.
Roof racks can be pricey, my car is smaller than yours and I've been getting by fine using a foam block kit off amazon without a rack, however that can wear paint or damage door seals over time.
I wouldn't get a roof rack that requires modification to the roof of your car. That potentially could cause more damage than just strapping it to your roof.
I initially used this one, with the addition of additional bow and stern lines.
I just realized that you might mean something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/attwood-11438-7-Universal-Rack-Free-Supporting/dp/B003EET2OE
If so, I tried that and it didn't work well for me. I ended up just using a couple of pool noodles for a while, instead of that, because they were longer and more stable.
I'm usually taking my kayak out alone, and a roof rack has been great.
You can also get a kayak roof kit that comes with a couple foam pads and straps, so you can avoid a roof rack if you don't want one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_V1KT65XKH1273J2N0JTQ
These would be a worthwhile upgrade.
The combo of ratchet straps and no shaped hull support could lead to oil canning of the hulls (big pressed-in spots that can be hard to push back out). What you have works, but the purpose-built stuff works really well.
When it gets really hot, plastic can get really soft!
Roof racks are great but foam blocks can be a good alternative option; they'll take a little more time to put up each time and you'll want to be careful that you don't have any dirt or other debris between the foam and the top of your car that will scratch the paint. Kits like https://www.amazon.com/attwood-11438-7-Universal-Rack-Free-Supporting/dp/B003EET2OE (that's just the first link from amazon when I searched 'kayak foam blocks') will have the foam blocks, straps (that go across the boat and strap it down to the car), and rope (for the bow and stern to tie down the ends as a back-up so you don't have a loose load in case something shifts). Lots of different kits are available, whatever brand is probably fine. You can find them online or in sporting goods stores.
You can make your own kit by buying the blocks separately or cutting your own foam and buying cam straps (not ratchet straps) and a decent rope for bow and stern lines.
We used these before getting our roof rack. We had two of them on our tiny sedan. It looked a little ghetto, but held at 55mph for about 20 minutes. Way cheaper than a full on rack if you are not going to far. I would not trust them on the highway though.
Edit- They did not fail after the 20 minutes. That is just how far we had to go.
Depending on the width of the kayaks you're getting, you might be able to use 2 sets of foam blocks (something like https://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Car-Top-Kayak-Carrier-Kit/dp/B003EET2OE/ ) but if the combined width of the boats is wider than the space between the rails then that won't likely be easy to use. I have seen people with a couple 2x4 bolted directly to the factory installed rails that they can then use as cross bars, I've never tried it myself so I don't know how well it actually works but it is a fairly popular DIY solution.
They sell these kayak mounting kits Here
I used one of these on a 13.5' Feelfree Lure on top of a '08 Pontiac Grand Prix for two seasons without much issue. The advice I would have is if you want make sure you don't scratch anything, put a blanket down while getting everything in place.
I bought a set on amazon for about $20 last year. I use it on my Jeep Wrangler with the soft top. I took a trip down to the Florida Keys (about 400 miles each way) with no issues at all. This is the one I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EET2OE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'm going to pick this up on Sunday to transport my new boat on my little Honda fit. Should work for you as well, and a little more comforting than a pool noodle rig in my opinion.
I use one of these. Works decent, cheap, and fits most cars. I drive a 2 door 02 civic, just barely fits, but I can go at highway speeds with it.
Edit: I use ratchet/friction straps all around, not the bungee cords.
I don't have that particular boat but I do have a very similar one. It's a nice enough boat as long as you're staying in slow moving or still water. It's not a fast boat and it doesn't really want to go in a straight line so you'll have to put in a little extra effort to keep it straight. On the plus side, it is a small and very light boat so you should be able to get it on top of your small car without any issue - your cheapest option there is probably to just get a set of foam blocks, something like http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Car-Top-Kayak-Carrier-Kit/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432138724&sr=8-3
You can also look for used kayaks in that price range. with a little luck, you may be able to find something a little nicer for the same price.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/
Take a look at this. I have not used this or anything similar, so I can't say that I'm recommending it or anything like it.
Roof pads are cheap though..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_51p8Fb16QB2DQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Check this out Amazon
Nobody needs to spend $500 and none of the replies implied that OP needed to go out and do so.
>Making sure it's strapped down tightly with tie-downs and having it secured to both the front and back bumper is safe and you can do that with straps, tie-downs and noodles.
Yes, absolutely. Which is precisely what OP did not do and why we are giving OP grief for promoting that solution.
For the same $11, OP could have purchased rope instead of tie-downs, and used the rope to secure the bow, secure the stern, secure the noodles, and tied the cross straps or bow/stern straps to prevent lateral movement. Absolutely nothing wrong with rope/straps and pool noodles from a safety perspective.
If OP isn't comfortable with truckers hitches and rope, there are a half dozen pre-made options for under $27-70.
$27 https://www.amazon.com/attwood-11438-7-Universal-Rack-Free-Supporting/dp/B003EET2OE
$34 https://www.amazon.com/AQUARM-Universal-Standard-Replacement-Tie-Downs/dp/B08R7JHJ42
$46 https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Tri-fold-Lightweight-Anti-vibration-Surfboard/dp/B08NW84HJ1
$49 https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Adjustable-Deluxe-Transport-Carrier/dp/B0845GRJS8
$59 https://www.amazon.com/MeeFar-Universal-Luggage-Carrier-Surfboard/dp/B0963SZPJW
$69 https://www.amazon.com/HEYTRIP-Universal-Surfboard-Tie-Down-Storage/dp/B08CVS852P
attwood 11438-7 Universal Rack-Free Car-Top Kayak Carrier Kit with Supporting Foam Blocks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_K7KXB9T3KXJ1SEB8DKJM
I'm not ashamed my boat is pink. Pinky Tuscadero is cool.
and front and back ties downs like this: https://www.amazon.com/KAPMOZ-Anchor-Straps-Transport-Lashing/dp/B07GF8FSF5/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=kayak+tie+downs&qid=1596582113&sr=8-2
One under the hood, and one in the boot or trunk.
Happy yakking!
attwood 11438-7 Universal Rack-Free Car-Top Kayak Carrier Kit with Supporting Foam Blocks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EET2OE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ugiTCbWZCJ677
This is what I used for my 2015 Nissan Altima very similar to the Accord
This for the roof. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EET2OE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This for the hood of the car. I popped my hood and then just used 2 existing bolts so they hang out of the hood a little. This is for the rope coming off the front of your kayak. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024ALDMS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is how I get my kayak around on my 2 door civic. Those foam blocks are set up for a v bottom kayak, but I have a flat bottom. It works but it cuts it close. If you have a flat bottom kayak get foam blocks designed for a flat bottom kayak. For the back strap I use a tie strap from the back handle at the tip of the kayak straight down under my bumper to my cars tow hook.
These kits keep getting cheaper too
I have a 2000 civic hatchback DX so we basically have the same car but my car has a bigger butt. I bought this 25$ foam kit off amazon and it works fine. I also got these hooks and installed them on the radiator bolts and carry the kayak in the center of the roof. Two straps that came with the foam kit across the kayak and through the door shutting both doors on the straps, one more like it from tail of kayak to tow hook in the back, and one of the ropes off the nose like a V attaching to these two hooks on the front of the car. If you want to go more expensive there is this 90$ inflatable roof rack. I went with the cheaper route because I usually have a truck but the few times I don't I want to be able to still go out. I've yet to have an issue with the foam blocks. They work really well.
Edit, I also have a moonroof installed on my car. Tightened down tighter then it probably needs to be, the kayak almost touches the moonroof.
I've yet to use mine, but I wanted an inexpensive option for my civic hatchback and grabbed this foam block set off amazon. I figure for 23$ it's worth trying before shelling out for a expensive roof rack.
edit: Oh and this too.
Have you considered foam racks? Copy and paste from my post earlier:
I have a 2000 civic hatchback DX so we basically have the same car but my car has a bigger butt. I bought this 25$ foam kit off amazon and it works fine. I also got these hooks and installed them on the radiator bolts and carry the kayak in the center of the roof. Two straps that came with the foam kit across the kayak and through the door shutting both doors on the straps, one more like it from tail of kayak to tow hook in the back, and one of the ropes off the nose like a V attaching to these two hooks on the front of the car. If you want to go more expensive there is this 90$ inflatable roof rack. I went with the cheaper route because I usually have a truck but the few times I don't I want to be able to still go out. I've yet to have an issue with the foam blocks. They work really well.
Edit, I also have a moonroof installed on my car. Tightened down tighter then it probably needs to be, the kayak almost touches the moonroof.
Have you considered foam racks? Copy and paste from my post earlier:
I have a 2000 civic hatchback DX so we basically have the same car but my car has a bigger butt. I bought this 25$ foam kit off amazon and it works fine. I also got these hooks and installed them on the radiator bolts and carry the kayak in the center of the roof. Two straps that came with the foam kit across the kayak and through the door shutting both doors on the straps, one more like it from tail of kayak to tow hook in the back, and one of the ropes off the nose like a V attaching to these two hooks on the front of the car. If you want to go more expensive there is this 90$ inflatable roof rack. I went with the cheaper route because I usually have a truck but the few times I don't I want to be able to still go out. I've yet to have an issue with the foam blocks. They work really well.
Edit, I also have a moonroof installed on my car. Tightened down tighter then it probably needs to be, the kayak almost touches the moonroof.
Where there's a will there's a way. Kayaks are pretty aerodynamic, they don't generate a lot of lift to worry about, or downforce from weight. And car roof..s? are made to withstand rollovers anyway. If not an actual rack, the foam blocks work fine, they're just a pain to deal with.
Where in michigan?