What is the best Surfboard Rack for your needs?

When looking for a surfboard rack thankfully there are only a few things you will need to consider, your budget, your vehicle, and whether you want a removable or permanent fixture on top of your car or truck.

Surfboard racks come in two main styles: Permanent hard racks and removable soft racks. The permanent hard racks are typically more expensive, permanent, and sturdy, while the soft racks are significantly less expensive but also sacrifice a little on stability and quality.

While permanent hard racks are typically preferred by most surfers, the removable soft racks are still commonly used for short to medium distance drives and with surfers that dont want a roof rack "scarring" the look of their vehicle. If you are a casual surfer with a shorter drive to the beach this may be the perfect option for you.

Removable Soft Racks

The removable soft racks typically latch onto the door frames and stretch across the top of your car with one or two pads depending on the number of boards they can carry. There are also pads for truck gates that you wrap around the back and lay the board in the bed and strap down on your gate.

For cars you will typically need a four door to use these types of racks. While I have friends that were able to manage on hatch backs, it can be a hassle and typically your board is laying pretty far back off your car.

They are also beginning to make soft racks that wrap inside your car instead of latching onto the door. These are nice if you dont want to stratch up the door and frame as much, but can be cumbersome to install and remove if you do it often.

Some of the most common brands of soft racks are Block Wrap and FCS. I've used both and been pleased. You should expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $50 just depending which style and the number of boards the rack can handle.

When purchasing this type of surfboard rack be prepared for a little give and wind noise on your car. With boards attached at higher speeds the roof rack may oscillate slightly so make sure that you fasten everything as tight as possible and lock the board straps in your doors to reduce some of this movement.

Permanent Hard Racks

If you can afford it and are serious about your surfing, hard surfboard racks are definitely the method of choice. With greater stability and versatility, hard racks offer more board security and stability for serious surfers and longer distance or higher speed board transportation.

Hard rack systems typically attach in the same fashion as the soft racks only with a more secure, permanent fixture to the inside door frames. Some car models also offer built in systems but these range drastically in price depending on make and model.

The most common manufacturers of hard rack systems are Yakima and Thule. The main difference between the two is that Yakima have round bars on top, while Thule have rectangular bars. Aside from this both companies offer great quality rack systems for vehicles of all makes and models.

The price range is going to vary slightly depending on your vehicle but you should expect to pay around $250 for the complete setup. If this is the setup you decide to go with, I would recommend purchasing this at your local bike store. While some surf shops have begun to offer hard rack systems, most bike stores are going to have a larger selection and more expertise in helping you get all the necessary parts for your vehicle.

Once you have the hard rack system installed on your car you will still need to buy pads and straps to secure your surfboard. You can buy these at any local surf shop. They have recently come out with sets that include the straps built into the pads, but I would recommend buying them seperate for increased strength and hold on your board. While some people may like the convenience, I feel more secure knowing my board is tied down to a solid steel bar than a few seams on my board pad.

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