The Surfboard Racks Blog

Technorati Tags: surf racks, surfboard carrier, surfboard holder, surfboard racks, surfboard roof racks

Inno surfboard racks are highly popular among surfers, especially the Inno Board Locker due to it’s ease of use and locking ability. If you have a pre-installed roof rack on your vehicle, I highly recommend checking out this surf rack. The Board Locker mounts to both aftermarket and factory crossbars. Once in place, the Inno uses a crane arm with attached strap, that swings open and close to secure your surfboard. Once your board is in place, simply shut the arm and connect to the locking mechanism. You can even ratchet this mechanism to tighten the straps to help secure your boards. Once the straps are tightened, you need the key to release the crane arm, thus freeing your surfboard. Inno boast this rack can handle 3 shorboards or 2 longboards. If you don’t carry your boards in a bag, it would be wise to invest in some rack pads rather than carrying your boards directly on your pre-installed racks. Check out the picture below for the Inno.

Inno Board Locker

If you prefer a cheaper and non-locking version, Inno also makes the Crane Board Carrier that is installed and works in a very simliar manner. Crane arm system again, but instead of locking and ratcheting, you have a shorter crane arm and adjustable strap. Once it place, simple pull to tight. Once again, if your traveling with your boards without a surf bag, it would be wise to use rack pads to help keep your boards firmly in place.

Crane Board Carrier

Whichever Inno surfbaord rack you choose, you will find both relatively easy to use as well as to install. These systems are also quicker than the typical rack pad and tie-down strap combo, but they are much more expensive. Over $150 for the locking system, as compared to around $15 -$20 for tie-downs. Pads will be needed for both unless you have travel bags. Regardless of the hefty price, if you are a dedicated, daily surfer, Inno Racks are at least worth a look. You can learn and see more on their website below. Inno also has their own rack pads if needed. Happy Surfing.

Resources:

http://www.innoracks.com/product/water/surf/

Technorati Tags: hard surfboard racks, surfboard racks

If you are in the need to get your boards off the floor and can manage some basic Bob Villa skills, building your own surf or board racks may be the way to go. I have found many articles online of people building their own racks for about half the cost.  Here are some pretty sick racks that can be built with some basic home depot supplies. Pic and supplies listed below.

homemade surf racks

Supplies and tools:

• 2 pairs of board holders (main site recommends specific ones but and kind of rack will work)
• 2 2×4′s ( you can stain or paint these to match your room)
• 4 hanger bolts
• Carpet samples for wall protection (furniture pads all work well)
• Sandpaper (coarse, medium, fine – e.g. 100, 150, 220)
• 4 1 3/4 inch screws to mount the board holders
• Enough small nails to secure the carpet pieces, or furniture pads to the top and back of the 2×4′s
• drill, hand saw, tape measure, etc.

I simplified it down a bit but you can check out all the supplies that were used and the step by step instructions by going to Kevin’s Blog @ http://kdough.net/docs/surfboard_rack/

I also posted a few years back of the homemade bike rack for under $15 that can also be used. You can find it @ http://www.surfboardracksblog.com/surfboard-racks/the-do-it-yourself-bicycle-surfboard-rack-for-under-15

Here is also a link to a forum that discussed how to make homemade racks that can be added to your existing luggage racks for jeeps. Just scroll down a bit to find the post.

http://www.stripersurf.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14303

I have some more homemade racks that I will be posting later this week. If anyone has made their own racks and has pictures and supply list please let me know and I will put them up for everyone to see.

Technorati Tags: home surfboard racks, homemade racks

Introducing the “Nice Rack” Surfboard Rack from thenicerack.com.

The great people from The Nice Rack were kind of enough to send my a one of their new surfboard racks. The first thing I noticed, when compared to other surfboard wall racks, it just how sturdy and solid this rack is. The rack is made from 100% recycled ABS plastic, which makes it very solid and surprisingly quite light. This rack is also incredibly easy to mount to the wall. Simply screw the two screws into the wall and snap on the supporting arm to complete the installation. Both the surfboard rack wall mount, as well as the support arm, have protective adhesive tape so you don’t have to worry about marking up your wall or your surfboards.

One of may favorite features about this rack is the fact that you easily add in other surfboard racks, which easily snap in and align with your first rack. This makes it an ideal rack for those who have multiple surfboards, as you can add or subtract as many as you want. These racks can also be used to store your snowboard, kiteboard, and wakeboard as well. Here is the expandable quad version that you can get and allows for the storage of multiple boards.

The Nice Rack is also reasonably priced at about $30 for the single version. Of course you get a discount if you order the multiple ones.

If you looking for a great wall surfboard rack, the nice rack is definitely one you should check out.

Technorati Tags: surfboard racks, the nice rack

Stykor Tadpole Surfboard Rack

I keep hearing and hearing about the Tad Pole System so I finally decided to check it out for myself. I haven’t purchased one yet, but decided to steal my friends the other day and see what all the hype is about. I gotta say the thing is indeed sturdy and holds your surfboard racks firmly in place. Most every surfer can tell you that one of the downsides of the soft surfboard racks is that some  just do not keep your board still when you start hitting higher speeds.

This can cause a scary noise.  Using the Stykor Tadpole system, surfboard noise, and surfboard movement  is no longer a problem. The system really holds your board down in place. One of the real cons I like about is that is pulls the front end of your board back allowing you too see much better out the front end of your car. Most current long board racks keep the surfboard centered on the roof of the vehicle which causing the front end to come over the edge of the windshield. It doesn’t blind you, but it can get annoying, especially on long trips.

The stykor tadpole system allows the long-board to be pulled back almost completely eliminating the front from the windshield. I could only see the tip of my board when I leaned forward towards the steering wheel. It was kinda of nice to be able to see completely unobstructed. However, like most racks with this added feature comes the sacrifice of something else. In other words freeing up the front obstructs the back.  How much will depend on the size of your car and board. I personally would rather be able to see more out of the front than the back, but for some it may be too much in the back.

So overall I would say this surfboard racks is perfect for the long-board but only on long, or perhaps, high speed trips. Using this system, your surfboard isn’t going anywhere, I don’t think I ever heard mine move at all while driving on the highway. This is why I give it a thumbs up for long trips. The noise is gone and you have no fear of losing your board. However, for short trips, it might be a little too much for me. It has an added back piece that goes on your truck that has to be fastened to the car’s trunk and then to the board. For me its too much work for a short trip, but I think this systems is for the long haul. And for that, this is a rack system I highly recommended you check it out, especially those of you with Longboards or SUPs

For Pics and Pricing:

http://www.esurfboardracks.com/products/stykor-tadpole-system

Technorati Tags: surfboard racks, tad pole