Transporting a large kayak can be daunting, but it gets a lot easier if you have a large vehicle. A ten-foot kayak, if it is an inflatable or foldable kayak, can easily fit in a CRV. But can you transport a 10-foot hardshell kayak in your CRV?
Novice kayakers often end up purchasing huge kayaks and then wonder how they can take these vessels to the water. If you are facing the same problem, this article is for you.
In this post, we are going to discuss how you can load a 10-foot kayak into a CRV and transport the boat safely to your favorite kayaking spot. Hopefully, here you will find some information that will make the process easier for you.
Table of Contents
How To Fit a 10ft Kayak in a CRV?
You can carry a 10ft kayak in a CRV if it is a folding or inflatable kayak. But if you have a hardshell kayak made of fiberglass or plastic, it depends on the size of your CRV.
Even if you are somehow able to thrust the kayak into the vehicle, you may not be able to close the rear hatch. So, a CRV is not the right vehicle for the transportation of a 10ft kayak. Use your vehicle’s roof rack instead.
Is It Legal to Drive With The Rear Hatch Open?
Yes, it’s legal, but only for a short trip and as long as the cargo or parcel you are transporting conforms to the legal limits. It also depends on the specific laws of your state. In most cases, you can keep the rear hatch open unless a large portion of the object you are transporting extends out of your vehicle.
While most states allow drivers to keep the rear hatch open while carrying bulky objects, there are regulations that require drivers to mark the overhang. Check the specific traffic rules of the state you are in.
How Far Can a Kayak Hang Out of a Rear Hatch?
It’s okay if your kayak sticks out of your vehicle, but there are legal limitations. According to the US Department of Transportation, a kayak can stick out of a vehicle, but not more than 4 feet at the rear, 3 feet at the front, and 4 inches on both sides.
With that said, this law has some variations in some states. In Florida, for example, the transportation department allows overextension of up to 9 feet at the rear and 3 feet at the front.
As a rule of thumb, you have to remember the 3-4-4 rule, regardless of the state you are in. However, be sure to check the local traffic rules before you hit the road.
How Do You Transport a 10ft Kayak?
A CRV is not the only way to transport a large kayak. There are some other safe and convenient ways to get the job done.
Securing your kayak to the roof rack of your vehicle is probably the best alternative. For this, first of all you have to load the kayak on the roof.
With that said, loading a 10-foot hardshell kayak by yourself will be a daunting task, if not impossible. That’s why we suggest you do it with a buddy. Once you have loaded the kayak on the roof, secure the vessel with cam straps.
Another viable alternative is to use a kayak trailer. It offers a couple of great benefits. You can paddle it by yourself or with buddies. When loading your kayak, you do not have to lift it over your head, and that makes the process a lot easier.
These trailers come in many types and sizes. Do a little bit of research and you will find one that fits your needs. When choosing a kayak trailer, consider factors such as materials, weight, size, convenience for suspension, and your budget.
You may consider investing in a kayak cart, which makes it super easy to carry the kayak to the water. A cart can make kayaking accessible by saving your valuable time and energy.
It is important to note that a kayak cart is used for carrying the kayak from your vehicle to the water. It does not necessarily eliminate the need for a vehicle such as a CRV, unless the kayaking spot is a short distance away from your residence.
Xproutdoor Wistar Universal Kayaks Cart
FAQs
Can you fit a 10 foot kayak in a Honda CRV?
Yes, you can fit a 10-foot kayak in a Honda CRV if it is a foldable or inflatable kayak. You can even transport a hardshell kayak in a CRV, but you will not be able to close the rear hatch.
Will a kayak fit inside my car?
It depends on the size of your kayak and your car. Even if your kayak fits inside your car, you may not want to do that for safety reasons. The process gets a lot easier if you have a pickup car. A better alternative is to secure the kayak to the roof rack of your car.
Can you fit a 10 foot kayak in a minivan?
A 10-foot kayak will not fit inside a minivan, unless you have an inflatable or foldable kayak. Rather than trying to fit your kayak inside your minivan, consider securing the vessel to the roof rack of your minivan. The process is pretty simple. Just load the kayak on the roof and secure the vessel with cam straps.
Can a kayak fit inside a Honda Fit?
Unless you have a very small kayak, a kayak is unlikely to fit in a Honda Fit. So, secure the kayak to the roof rack of your Honda Fit. For added safety, consider installing a J rack to the roof rack. Then mount the kayak on the J rack and secure the vessel with straps.
Conclusion
If you have a foldable or inflatable kayak, you can easily transport a 10-foot kayak in a CRV. However, the process will get a bit tricky if you want to transport a hardshell kayak. The vessel will barely fit inside the CRV; some portion will stick out of the vehicle.
The good news is, there are more convenient solutions. Securing a kayak to your vehicle’s roof rack is not as daunting as it sounds. If you have to transport your kayak often, investing in a kayak rack can be a good idea. And if you want to keep things simple, consider buying an inflatable kayak.