Canoes are big, awkward, and difficult to move. If you’re wondering how to transport your canoe, you’ve come to the right place!
We’ve seen lots of sketchy ways to transport gear over the years and we’re here to help, so this doesn’t happen to you! Knowing how to transport your canoe from point A to B the right way ensures you don’t damage your canoe or risk harming yourself in the process.
We cover the best ways to transport your canoe with gear recommendations to help you get everything where you want it.
How to Transport a Canoe
Transporting a Canoe on a Vehicle Roof
For transporting a canoe to your car’s roof rack, you can follow the same steps as our guide How to Tie a Kayak to a Roof Rack. Whatever method you use, make sure your canoe is upside-down, resting on its gunwales. These top edges are the strongest part of the canoe and will help brace and support it during transit.
We highly recommend having crossbars on your roof before tying down your canoe to reduce the area that your canoe can slide when taking a corner too hard.
Even with crossbars, there are extra ways you can reduce side to side scraping, like with the Thule Portage, Malone Bigfoot, or Rhino Rack Canoe Holder if you have HD bars.
Thule Portage Canoe Carrier 819
$249.95
Easy-to-load, safe, and secure rack for canoes. Specifications Load capacity 34.1 kg Maximum load 45 kg Dimensions 8.8 x 15.2 x 5.8 cm Weight 1.9 kg Rubber cover for strap buckle Yes Length of straps 2x40 cm Lockable No Fits… Read More
Rhino Rack Adjustable Canoe Holder - HD Bar
$45.00
$89.99
The Rhino-Rack Canoe Holder is designed so that you can secure your load in position so it doesn't slide in transit possibly damaging other items you have mounted to your roof racks. The RLH1 is designed to fit Rhino-Rack's Heavy… Read More
If you have to transport a canoe on the roof of your vehicle without a roof rack, you can pad under the gunwales to prevent damage to either the boat or your roof by using a product like the NRS foam canoe block, Level Six SUP Stacker Foam Block, or even cutting a pool noodle lengthwise.
NRS Foam Canoe Block
$14.95
Use the NRS Universal Foam Canoe Blocks to protect your canoe and the top of your vehicle during transport. Durable Minicell foam cushions your boat and protects your vehicle. The slot in the foam blocks can pop onto the canoe… Read More
You would continue with the bow and stern tie downs the same, but straps over the hull would be wrapped under the roof with the car doors open (sitting against the weather stripping) in the same fashion that the Malone Versarail uses.
Malone VersaRail Cross Rail System
$219.99
The 50" VersaRail instantly transforms a bare roof into a functional platform for transporting bikes, kayaks, canoes or cargo boxes. These racks come assembled and ready to install. Includes twin cup vacuum towers, 1.5" attachment straps and Five Year Limited… Read More
How to Carry a Canoe
There are two classic ways to carry a canoe for a short distance.
2 Person Suitcase Canoe Carry
The suitcase carry has one person at either end of the boat on opposite sides, with the canoe face up. They grasp the built in handles, and lift up to the hip, then walk with it. This method means you can easily take breaks or have extra people assist on the sides of the canoe, while also being able to transport gear in it.
How to Carry a Canoe Solo -- Portage Canoe Carry
While this method is harder to get into position for, it is more comfortable for longer distances and can be done with one or two people.
For a single-person portage, I recommend practicing with one person spotting either end of the canoe so you can get the muscle memory of balancing it, without hurting yourself or dropping the boat.
How to Overhead Portage Canoe Carry
1. Stand beside the yoke in the middle of the canoe.
For this, we’ll assume you’re on the left (port) side.
2. Roll the canoe away from you on the ground so that you can place the bottom of the hull on your thighs.
You want the keel close to you so you can effectively hold the weight of the boat with your legs.
3. When pulling the canoe up onto your lap, you’ll have both hands on the gunwale in front of you.
4. From here, you want to get the opening of the canoe toward yourself and you can grasp the yoke to assist with this positioning.
5. Once you’re comfortable, you want to get the correct hand on the far gunwale to be able to lift it over yourself.
In this case, it will be your left hand. Your close hand (right) should be back on the other gunwale near you before attempting to lift.
6. In one swift motion, you can buck your hips forward, push away with your close hand (right) and pull over your head with the far hand (left).
Remember to duck your head forward a bit to avoid bringing the yoke down directly on your head. The curve of the yoke should rest around your neck but put the weight on your shoulders.
7. To balance the canoe, bring your hands inside one at a time and push down on the inside of the gunwale.
The canoe should not be perfectly parallel to the ground, but angled up slightly so that you can see where you’re walking.
If this sounds completely confusing to you, Old Town has an excellent How to Carry a Canoe video using their Appalachian model of 67 lbs for reference.
With two people, you’re both starting between the seat on either side and the end “V”. From here, your lifting process is the same as with only one person, but you don’t need to worry about positioning a yoke behind your neck and it will be easier to reach across the boat.
Remember to communicate so you’re lifting at the same time!
The Easier Way to Transport a Canoe
Using a canoe cart like the C-tug or Yak Yak means you have a lot less stress on your body and you don’t need a second person to help you suitcase carry your canoe over moderate distances.
C-Tug Kayak and Canoe Boat Cart
$213.95
5 Best Kayak Fishing Accessories for Beginners Top 10 Kayak Fishing Accessories The New Zealand made C-Tug Boat Cart sets the standard with its sophisticated style and precision design. C-Tug is the best, most versatile and durable kayak cart on… Read More
NRS Yak Yak Boat Cart
$159.95
Let the NRS Yak Yak Boat Cart haul your boat to the water. With sand-conquering tires, element-resistant materials and 30% lighter weight than other boat carts, this little powerhouse saves your back. The NRS Yak Yak Boat Cart is plain… Read More
By lifting the back third of your canoe onto wheels and strapping it in, you ensure that you can transport your canoe solo. The only thing to keep in mind before purchasing a boat cart is to check the load capacity. Some models like the CRS Ultralight are only meant to carry lighter boats (up to 100lbs) which may not be suitable for your needs.
Canoe Trailers
Canoe trailers are the best option to transport a canoe by truck, minivan, or any other vehicle with a hitch. If you don’t have a roof rack on the vehicle you’re using, you are transporting multiple canoes, or roof access to your vehicle is difficult, canoe trailers offer a solution.
Most commercial canoe trailers are quite large, averaging 6-8 canoe capacity. As a consumer, you’re probably not looking to cart around nearly as many boats with you.
We recommend the Malone Microsport (either the basic or XT model) for most people looking for a casual canoe trailer.
For more than two canoes, (or kayaks) you can add a second layer to this trailer with the Malone Second Level Tree Load Bars.
Trailers like this don’t take up nearly as much space as the commercial ones but still offer ease of loading and unloading boats, so you can get on the water faster.
Being able to access the bars from all angles means it’s easier to tie down and transport your canoe than on the roof rack of your vehicle and you can potentially do a single-person canoe carry directly onto or off of your trailer.
How to Transport a Canoe Summary
Thule Xsporter Pro
$1,299.95
Complete pickup truck bed system with innovative height adjustability and wind tunnel-optimized aerodynamics. Specifications Equipped with T-track Yes Dimensions 40.64 x 180.34 x 73.66 cm Maximum load *Holds up to 450 lbs/204 kgs when racks are properly installed and weight… Read More
Thule TracRac SR Overhead Rack
$1,149.95
This sliding truck rack easily moves into any position to accommodate different size loads up to 1250lbs*. Specifications Maximum load *Holds up to 1,250lbs/567 kgs when racks are properly installed and weight is distributed evenly. Vehicle limits may vary. Please… Read More
So those are the best ways to transport your canoe, whether it’s transporting it by yourself, on a car or truck roof, with another person, a canoe cart, or a dedicated canoe trailer!
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us below or visit us in store.
Related Canoeing Articles
Canoe vs Kayak: What's the Difference?
How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle
Parts of a Canoe | Detailed Diagrams
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