Q: I have a 2000 Audi TT. I need a cheap but sturdy rack for a long surfboard (11 foot). I would prefer a surfboard package but I do not have a base rack system on the TT right now. What should I do?

A: First of all to carry a long surfboard you will need to get a base rack system for your TT.  I would recommend Thule’s 480 Traverse system. Then you would need a way to secure it to the roof rack. I would recommend Inno’s INA744 boardlocker which fits perfectly onto Thule’s base rack and gives you the capability to lock your surfboard.

Q: I have a 2006 Honda Accord 4 door sedan – what are the options for a surfboard rack that will work with my car?

A:  Here is some information on carrying surf boards on a 2006 Honda Accord 4 door sedan.

Base rack options:

Thule 480 Traverse Roof Rack System, this rack system includes the 480 foot pack, 1304 fit kit and 58” cross bars. This would be my first choice for the base rack. I have used them for years and always had good luck.

Yakima Q Towers Roof Rack System, this rack system includes the Q Tower foot packs, Q Clips (Q6 front, Q83 rear) and 48” cross bars. Yakima is the other major brand besides Thule. They are also a quality brand. They use round bars where Thule uses square bars.

Inno IN-SU Roof Rack System, this rack system includes the IN-SU foot packs, K294 fit clips and 50” cross bars. Inno is the most popular rack system in Asia and has been making inroads in the US market over the past years. Their fit & finish is slightly less dialed than Thule or Yakima. They use the exact same shape and size bars as Thule.

Surf Carriers(all require one of the above base racks and all will fit any of the above racks no matter the brand):

Thule 809 Double-Decker Surf Rack,  Lockable holds up to two boards.

Yakima WaveHog SUP / Surf Rack, Lockable, holds up to three boards.

Inno INA744 BoardLocker Board Rack,  Lockable, holds up to two boards.

As you can see there are lots of great choices for a 2006 Honda Accord surfboard rack – hope this helps!

Picture of the all-new INA446 Inno SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker for use as a stand-up paddleboard rack, kayak rack, canoe rack and more. Universally fits factory roof rack crossbars as well as base rack systems from Inno, Yakima, Whispbar, Thule and more.

Image of the INA445 Inno SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker - an economical version of the INA446 and does not include the car rack cross bar pads.

Now available from Inno Racks dealers in the United States and Canada are the new, improved versions of the famously popular Inno INA444 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker – the Inno Racks INA446 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker and the Inno INA445 SUP / Kayak / Canoe Locker – both feature innovative updates that allow for even more factory roof rack cross bar fits, more robust theft prevention and better protection and stability of equipment during transport. Instead of a pair of foam blocks (included with the INA444), the INA446 version now includes a pair of crossbar pads that deliver superior ease of loading and unloading and wear-restistance that’ll last a lifetime. The INA445 version does not include rack pads and is targeted as a more value priced option for users that do not need rack pads for added equipment protection, ease of loading / unloading or increased prevention of lateral shifting of gear during transport (also a great option for users that already own a pair of car rack cross bar pads or foam blocks). Both models feature redesigned locking rack straps that deliver increased protection from theft of gear or the rack itself when left unattended. They also feature universal clamp hardware that fits even more factory racks as well as any after-market base rack system crossbars from Inno Racks, Yakima Racks, Whispbar Racks, Thule Racks and more. The Inno INA446 Locker and Inno INA445 Locker are the most versatile watersport carriers available on the market today and work equally well for hauling any canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard ( SUP ), surfboard (both short and long boards), windsurfer, wakeboard etc. Works great as a ladder rack as well. The integrated ratcheting mechanism makes it an effortless process to tighten the straps around the gear, and the included Inno locks and keys ensure everything is safe and secure from anyone stealing your gear or the rack itself. They both also adjust to any width along the cross bars to custom fit the item(s) you are carrying.

Q: I Need your recommendation of which specific INNO parts I need for my 2002 Honda Civic 4 doors (naked roof). I need a roof rack system for my 12 foot surfboard and I’m interested in INNO racks.

A: Inno recommends their IN-SU Complete System (using fit hook K190 and a minimum of the B117 bars) for your ’02 4-door Civic. As for surfboard racks for this system, we recommend the Inno INA745 or INA744.

Q:  What are some recommendations for a rack to carry surfboards on my 2000 Honda Accord EX 2 Door Coupe?

A: The Yakima Q-Tower Complete System with Q Stretch Kit will provide a base rack system for your vehicle. Onto this you can attach a surf rack—a couple of good options are the new Yakima Wavehog or the Inno INA444.

Picture of the Thule 808 Surf TailGate Pad, part of Thule Racks new surfboard rack and stand-up paddleboard rack product line-up. Allows you to carry SUP's, surf boards and sailboards in a pickup truck bed.

A nifty new product for carrying stand-up paddleboards, windsurfers and surfboards in any pickup truck bed, the Thule 808 Surf TailGate Pad works as a superb cheap surfboard rack and stand-up paddle board rack. Features two straps sewn into the ends of the surf pad, and they wrap around the tailgate to secure the surf pad in place on top of the tailgate. Then simply place any surfboard, sailboard, SUP (or a ladder, lumber etc.) in the pick-up truck bed and on the Thule 808 Surf TailGate Pad. Tighten the rack strap to ensure the board is in place and that is all there is to it, you are ready to head on down the highway to your favorite water playground.

Q:  I have a 2011 VW GTI 3 door and I want a rack system that can handle both snowboards and up to 4 surfboards (or more?).  I’m new to this and it seems your website ‘fit guide’ system focuses on 1 or the other or kayaks, etc.  But again…  I need a rack system for both snow and surf boards.  Can you recommend the system for me? Reliability and ease of use are important.

A: For a base rack system, we would suggest the Thule 480 Traverse Complete System.  Onto this system you could attach a Thule ski carrier like the 91725 or 91726 (same as the 91725, but also telescopes out from the side of the car for easier loading).

You can transport up to three surfboards with Thule’s new 809 Double-Decker Surf Rack, and you’ll want to get an extra set of Load Straps if you’re carrying more than two boards with this rack. The Double-Decker is 26” wide, so if you wanted to carry more than three boards (and none were wider than 26”) you could fit two of these racks side-by-side if you used load bars that were at least 58” wide.

Picture of the Thule 531 Express Surf Strap (sold as a pair) for effectively protecting and holding place a surfboard, stand-up paddleboard, windsurfer & more on any roof rack cross bars. Makes a great, cheap surfboard rack or SUP rack when combined with a pair of rack pads.

Thule Racks has thoughtfully worked to develop an entire line of surf carrier products to meet every customer budget and need. Representing the economy, entry-level option is the Thule 531 Express Surf Strap (packaged and sold as a pair), which delivers a superior solution to regular car rack straps for strapping down and solidly holding in place a surfboard, stand-up paddleboard, windsurf board and more. You can also carry multiple boards stacked on top of each other. The Thule 531 Express Surf Straps have a stretchy bungee design for quickly and efficiently cinching down in place the SUP, surfboard or sailboard on the roof rack. They work on any car rack cross bars including factory racks, Thule, Inno, Yakima roof rack crossbars etc. An excellent, value-priced and cheap surfboard rack  and cheap stand-up paddleboard rack solution when combined with a pair of rack pads such as the new Thule 801 / 802 Surf Pads for Thule square bars, Yakima round bars and other square or round cross bars from after-market car rack manufacturers or the Thule 803 / 804 Surf Pads for factory racks, Thule Rapid Aero bars, Thule 422XT Xsporter truck rack bars and other ‘aero’ shaped car rack crossbars.

Photo of the Thule 803 Surf Pads and Thule 804 Surf Pads, designed specifically for use on factory racks, Thule Rapid Aero load bars, Thule 422XT Xsporter truck rack bars etc. Ideal cor carrying SUP's, surfboards, windsurf boards etc.

Picture of the Thule 801 Surf Pads and Thule 802 Surf Pads, Thule Racks new rack pads designed for carrying surfboards, sailboards, stand-up paddleboards and other gear on Thule square load bars, Yakima round cross bars etc.

Thule Racks has gone back to the drawing board and completely redesigned and released a new series of roof rack pads for carrying stand-up paddleboards, windsurfers, surfboards, canoe, kayak and more. The rack pads are available in two different styles, the Thule 801 Surf Pads / Thule 802 Surf Pads and the Thule 803 Surf Pads / Thule 804 Surf Pads. The 801 (18 inches in length) and 802 (24 inches in length) are designed to mount to the standard Thule rack square load bars, Yakima round cross bars, Inno cross bars etc. The 803 (18 inches in length) and 804 (24 inches in length) are meant for using on factory racks, Thule Rapid Aero bars, Thule 422XT Xsporter truck rack crossbars and other ‘aero’ shaped cross bars. Using the surf pads in combination with a pair of rack straps or the Thule 531 Express surf straps is a solid, economical way to carry standup paddle boards, surfboards, windsurfers, kayak, canoe etc.

Picture of the locking 809 Thule Double-Decker surfboard rack system, a premium surfboards carrier that mounts to virtually all styles of roof rack cross bars including factory racks. Includes locks to lock the surfboards to the carrier and the option to purchase separate locks to secure the entire 809 Double-Decker to the vehicle. Easily holds 1 or 2 surfboards or sailboards up to 26 inches wide.

The premium, locking Thule 809 Double-Decker surfboard rack for transporting one or two surfboards on any style of roof rack cross bars is Thule Racks latest offering in the surfboard carrier category. The result of intensive research, testing and design engineering, the all-new Thule Racks 809 Double-Decker surfboard rack features a long list of innovations that set it apart from all other surfboard racks. Beginning with installation, the revolutionary new Thule Speed-Link universal clamps allow the carrier to quickly connect to virtually all types of base roof rack cross bar systems including factory rack crossbars and all cross bars found on base roof rack systems from Thule, Yakima, Inno and other car rack manufacturers. Each Speed-Link clamp can also optionally accept a Thule lock to secure the system to the vehicle. Loading the surfboards onto the carrier couldn’t be easier, simply lay the boards to rest in the cradles and then shut the spring-loaded cam locking mechanism and tighten the steel reinforced rack straps. Thule Racks even includes a lock in each cradle to lock the surfboards inside the carrier. The 809 Thule Double-Decker is compatible with any surfboard or sailboard up to 26 inches wide thanks to the telescoping action of the cradles.