New to SUP and totally loving it! However transporting my board is a bit of a worry (an 11.6 Surftech Balboa) and I'm hoping for some safety tips from experienced SUP'ers.
There's quite a bit of overhang from the front of the roof racks and on my first trip down the motorway there was quite a bit of movement, even the though board was firmly tied down. I had the board nose forward and it was vibrating up and down - about a couple of inches both ways. I was going around 100 km's so decided to slow down cos it was freaking me out! I'm concerned that the wind will lever upwards over the windshield and that the front of the board will break and snap off.
A few people have suggested putting the tail facing forward and move it back slightly so there is not too much forward overhang, but I really have no idea what the safest method is.
Here's a couple of pic's showing how I've been transporting it so far, although I initially had the nose forward with a little more overhang.
Nothing to worry about imo.
I'd have nose forward.. upside-down and equal overhang front and rear.. Use roof rack pads.. and always use straps [not too tight]..
A bit of movement is better than rock solid.. Don't worry.. the board won't break.
If you have a tow bar you could make something like his up.. [mostly for the peace of mind]
Select to expand quotehusq2100 said..
Dj, I think you should put your racks closer together...
Yeah.. 
.. Shame I can't change their position.. 
Kristi has had a 14 bullet on her car and like DJ the racks are about 18 inches apart.
This images shows 2 x 10'6 fanatics + her surf SUP on the racks, as long as you tie it down front and back and balance the load sensibly all good 
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
Use roof rack pads.. and always use straps.
DJ, you seem to get by okay without straps if this photo is anything to go by.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said...
Nothing to worry about imo.
I'd have nose forward.. upside-down and equal overhang front and rear.. Use roof rack pads.. and always use straps [not too tight]..
A bit of movement is better than rock solid.. Don't worry.. the board won't break.
If you have a tow bar you could make something like his up.. [mostly for the peace of mind]
How do you go picking up ladies in that???? Great success??
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
Nothing to worry about imo.
I'd have nose forward.. upside-down and equal overhang front and rear.. Use roof rack pads.. and always use straps [not too tight]..
A bit of movement is better than rock solid.. Don't worry.. the board won't break.
If you have a tow bar you could make something like his up.. [mostly for the peace of mind]
Obviously DJ spends all his money on boards.
By the way like that Suzuki too 
Especially that license plate: SUP 01. Didn't know you guys can pick one your own
With a paddle board i dont think you have too much to worry about just as long as your secure your load.As you mentioned, just drive at a slower speed until your more confident in your securing.As a chippy, my main concerns when carrying timber up to 6m in length, once it's tired down securely are bounce and overhang (in NSW up to 1.2m overhanging load is allowable from both the front and rear of car without a warning device) ,with a sup these issues shouldn't exist or be a problem.
Select to expand quoterevg said..
Hey DJ why not have the straps too tight?
It crushes the board.
The soft pads and/or board bag should provide enough resilience and friction to keep the boards secure. Firm hand tension pulling against a buckle (ie. 2:1 pull) is heaps. You don't need to put your body weight into it. You should be able to tell the difference between closing the slack in the load and squishing it.
If you have too much of the board over the front it can generate lift and the leverage could damage the board or even cause the car to get blown off course. It has happened with hang gliders (packed in their bags of course).
If you're really concerned then secure the nose of the board to the front of the car.
You need to decide for yourself what you want to do. Others people's experience is not relevant. We get away with the vast majority of stuff we do by pure dumb luck. You can accept that the risk is slim (which it probably is), or decide that the effort of eliminating the risk is small and do something about it. Whatever makes you feel better is the best thing to do.
Check your roof racks are secure!
I have lost a board straight off the back back because the roof rack fittings had come loose.
It was an inflatable and thank god I have never kicked the habit of putting the leg rope in the boot and closing the door on the leggy.
It saved a life as it stopped the board and racks hitting the car behind.
Top name brand of racks too! The fittings, when slightly loose, just couldn't handle the lift generated by the SUP at 80kph
Select to expand quoteAA said...
Check your roof racks are secure!
I have lost a board straight off the back back because the roof rack fittings had come loose.
It was an inflatable and thank god I have never kicked the habit of putting the leg rope in the boot and closing the door on the leggy.
It saved a life as it stopped the board and racks hitting the car behind.
Top name brand of racks too! The fittings, when slightly loose, just couldn't handle the lift generated by the SUP at 80kph
Had similar happen on two occasions with my FG Falcon. The racks are held on by tension only and with a big board it doesn't work. First time I damaged the nose of four surfboards. Had all four boards leave the roof still attached to the racks. Could have fitted everything back in one go.
I ended up installing nutserts and using bolts to stop them from coming loose. Now there's no way it can come off....
