History

• Canoes predate automobiles by several thousand years. Canoes are native to North America and have evolved from birch bark river vessels to the sporty fiberglass recreational and sport canoes of today.
  
  

Function

• The function of a canoe car topper is to secure a canoe to the roof of a vehicle. The canoe should be held tight enough the wind resistance and friction do not cause the canoe to move or obscure the driver's vision.
  
  

Types

• There are several different types of canoe car toppers. The first type involves a rack installed on top of the vehicle. The canoe is placed upside down on the racks and tied tightly down with straps.
  Another type of canoe car topper consists of four non-slip foam blocks, four hooks and straps to hold the canoe to the vehicle. This option is less expensive than the rack system and seems to hold the canoe more securely.
  
  

Considerations

• Law requires drivers to put a red flag on the back of boats carried by vehicles. You can purchase red flags made for this purpose, but a red bandana or strip of fabric works just as well. Let it hang down off the back of the canoe.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Once you get the canoe fastened to the top of the car, make sure that the front and back of the canoe are completely stable. If they move at all, tighten the straps down tighter.