How do we secure our long equipment on a short vehicle? We have all been there. Our car is too small and our board or boat is too long. How can we transport our equipment safely and efficiently from point A to point B? There are some simple tricks to keep your craft in good working order while transporting it on a small vehicle.
GEAR HACKS: TRANSPORTING BIG BOARDS WITH LITTLE CARS
GEAR FOR THE LONG HAUL: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR FINE-TUNING YOUR SUP ACCESSORIES
Photo: Aaron Black-Schmidt
Paddlers fall into two gear camps: Those that obsess over every item, seeking golden bits of information to gain any sliver of performance on the water or an extra year of longevity in the garage; and those that could care less and just want to paddle that board now, factory fins and all. Wherever you fall on the gear-geek spectrum, understanding the basics of optimizing and maintaining your hard-earned equipment will take you a long way. We reached out to our top contributors and athletes to gather some hacks, tips and tricks to maximize both the performance and the lifespan of your gear. This article is part of a series of tips and tricks for picking the right gear and maintaining it for the long haul, originally published in our 2018 Gear Guide, available in digital and print here!
BIG BOARD, LITTLE CAR
When moving boards from A to Beach with a compact car, there are plenty of ways to rack them wrong. Cinch too tight and you risk a pressure crack. Cinch too loose or use inadequate tie-downs and you're liable to lose the boards completely. Stick them out your side-window and, well, you'll probably wind up on @kookoftheday.
