What is the Best Way to Secure a Canoe to the Roof Rack?

Securing a canoe or kayak to your roof rack isn’t just about keeping it in place while travelling. It also helps protect against opportunistic theft when you stop off or stay overnight. A weatherproof cable is one of the most practical and effective ways to keep your canoe secure both on the move and at your destination.

Why Not Use Rope or Bungee Cords?

Traditional bungee cords, ropes or straps may hold a canoe in position while driving, but they offer little to no protection against theft. Even locking straps can sometimes be quickly released. To secure your canoe against both movement and theft, a cable system offers a more reliable solution.

Why a Weatherproof Cable Works Best

Weatherproof cables allow you to lock the canoe to the roof rack, making it difficult for someone to remove it quickly. Once you reach a campsite or stopover, the same cable can be rearranged to secure the canoe to a fixed object, such as a tree or rack. Threading the cable through deck plates or seats ensures it can’t simply be lifted off.

Recommended Options

Abus Cobra Flexible Cable

The Abus Cobra Flexible Cable is encased in a weatherproof plastic coating, offering all-weather durability and helping to prevent damage to the canoe. The looped ends allow you to:

• Secure each loop individually, or

• Loop one end through the other depending on the rack setup and canoe size.

It can then be locked using a weatherproof padlock such as the Abus 70IB series.

Masterlock Python Cable

The Masterlock Python Cable offers an all-in-one solution. It uses a woven steel cable with a protective plastic coating and features an adjustable locking mechanism rather than requiring a separate padlock. Once adjusted to the required length, the cable locks in position, making it simple and secure.

Practical Tip

Always ensure the cable passes through parts of the canoe’s structure (such as the seats or deck plates) to prevent it being slipped free. Also ensure that, when securing it at stops, the canoe cannot simply be lifted over whatever it is attached to.