Check the straps!

Roof rack strps broken due to excessive sun light

Check roof rack straps for fading as this may cause weakening

As I pulled one of our kayak straps down to secure a kayak onto the roof rack today it snapped. Luckily I was pulling downwards and not diagonally. Otherwise I’d have take a nasty fall.

The strap looked okay except that it hard torn apart and I know I’m not that strong! A closer inspection revealed the webbing had become brittle and I could even tear it by hand.

The straps were less than 2 years old. There was no sign of excessive wear and tear. The only clue was the faded colour which suggests it had weakened as a result of the sunlight?

We use our straps a lot running a kayak tour company in Jersey so there is a lot of loading going on.

However, there are lots of people who drive about with their kayak loaded onto the roof rack. If this is happening perhaps it is a good idea to test your straps. I’m not sure if it is just the red straps or a problem common to other colours. The thought of losing a kayak from the roof rack is not a nice thought.

I’ll be replacing our straps annually from now on.

Tip: Have you checked your kayak roof rack straps?

About derek

Derek Hairon is a British Canoeing level 5 coach (sea) and sea kayak leader guide and assessor.
Derek is the first nationally endorsed British Canoeing accredited guide in Jersey. The British Canoeing kayak guide endorsement supports and recognises the additional skills required when fulfilling a guiding role on sea kayak tours and expeditions worldwide.
Over 49 years of sea kayaking experience. Expeditions to circumnavigate Ireland by kayak, Outer Hebrides, Aland Islands, Faeroe Islands and Alaska. Plus, lots of sea and surf kayaking in the UK. White water-kayaking expeditions in Nepal to paddle the Tamur and Marsyandi Rivers.
Derek wrote Sit-on-top Kayak. A Beginner’s Manual (Pesda Press). It is now in its second reprint and is also translated into French. He is the author of the Channel Island and South East Coast Sea Kayaking guidebook (Pesda Press).