Surfskis and Outrigger Canoes are relatively long boats to transport with car roof boat racks and carriers. If you haul such long boats on a sedan or other short roofed vehicle, there will be a lot of boat not supported or controlled by anything longitudinally unless you add longer supports to your roof racks. Such racks can be home made with a little ingenuity or purchased from several manufacturers. Longitudinal support can also be increased for some cars via a trailer hitch mount.
several of these have the option of removable V ends which can be quite valuable if you anticipate needing to park in parking garages or anywhere else with low overhead clearance. Some rack makers sometimes do custom work or offer extension options that are not necessarily obvious or even shown on their websites. If you are thinking about a change/improvement/variation or something you do not see in one of these base designs - ask if they can help you get what you are looking for.
Carrying Suggestions:
DIY
Commercial Brands
Probably designed for stacking kayaks, SUPs, etc. on their sides - so maybe most appropriate for plastic boats and their like intended for rugged handling?
photo from Escape Outdoors video (looks like a Keri-Tek UK rack)
Rollers/Sliders
Lift Assist
The 3 R's - Repair, Replace, or Regret. Wider straps better disperse the force on the surface of boats. Surfskis and Outrigger Canoes can be damaged by straps that are excessively tightened. Some kind of soft guard under cam strap buckles is very helpful. Wider straps help spread the load, but some straps when sized up to 2“ have to have fairly massive cam buckles that may not be as easy to use as somewhat smaller size ones (One user was perfectly happy with the Strapworks 1.5” straps but found the buckles for their 2“ straps super heavy and not nearly as easy to thread).
Most commonly imagined is a set of loops/yokes to fit over each end with some kind of cable connecting both loops tightly enough so that the loops cannot be slide off of the ends of your boat. If you are looking for a ready made one, you might ask Lasso Security if one of theirs will fit your surfski.
If you have a hole (drain hole?) in your surfski that is 3/4 inch (1.91 cm) diameter or larger this lock can work: Lasso Master LockAll
Commercial Transport Services and Personal Message Boards
Some of these can also do international shipping
(This is a new addition to this page in 2024 and we could definitely use some contributions of information on specific requirements and regulations in different countries)
Homemade Boat Stands - Paddle Channel
There are many different styles and load capacities in boat trailers. If/when we get experience with or recommendations for specific trailers we will include that information here. In the meantime you will have to do your own research. Among other things to pay attention to, you have to get a trailer tongue that is long enough for surfskis (& doubles?) - can you easily add a tongue extension??. Also, you may want to think about how much exposure your skis on a trailer will have to airborne road debris (smaller trailers without trailer beds may particularly expose lower level boats to this risk). Here are a few places that you might start looking…
You want to keep your boat and equipment clean and dry. Rinsing with fresh water is particularly important after each outing in salt water.
Boat covers can protect boats from UV during outside storage (the cover itself will decay instead - how fast depends on the materials in the cover) and they can prevent dings from flying rocks, etc. while traveling. But JD Davies in the Gorge reports that covers with any slack in fit will flap against boats while driving on highways and dull boat finishes (the material composition of the cover may make a difference, others using bags with soft inner linings have reported driving many miles with no ill effects).
Some of the following companies make covers that are more robust and more expensive than surfski brand covers and other less expensive options. Be aware that if you use a cheaper canvas cover for outside storage that the cover will probably deteriorate quite rapidly.
River Bear Racing on covers: “Undoubtedly the best way to guard against handling rash and sun faded gelcoat is to store your boat inside, typically in a garage, and inside a boat cover (keeping it in the cover helps protect against those little bumps against all that stuff you have stored in your garage…) And keep your boat inside the cover whenever you’re carrying it somewhere, especially if it will be sitting outside in the sun for long periods of time. It protects your boat against bugs and road debris while traveling, as well as against UV. A boat cover is a cheap investment in protecting your kayak or surf ski; it will absorb the wear and tear that would otherwise be absorbed by your boat. Simply replace it when it wears out. I believe in covers enough that I automatically include a cover with every boat I sell at no extra cost. For even more protection, Stellar offers padded covers. Or for a little more style, bright neon colors (helps to ensure your boat is seen on top of your vehicle as well). But the basic gray nylon cover does a dandy job of protecting your boat, with the added bonus of a flag on the back so you don’t have to attach a separate flag when transporting your boat. If your boat gets rain-soaked while in the cover, be sure to remove the cover and air it out when you get home so you don’t build up mold.”