Don't wait for that 'PLAAK!' moment: How to transport your boats safely

The Star

6 days ago

JPJ's rule is that the load on your roof must never exceed the length or width of your car.
Trouble comes without warning – especially when you're flying down the expressway with a kayak or boat strapped to your roof.
Poor planning or low-quality gear can turn your weekend trip into a missile incident.
It almost happened to me years ago when I decided a RM150 universal roof rack was 'good enough'.
I was carrying a 22kg sea kayak from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. Heavy rain. Highway speeds. Then – PLAAK! – a loud metallic crack on the roof.
If your kayak has scupper holes, stringing the strap through them will secure it positively, but don't tighten like you are trying to strap down a cow to avoid stressing the kayak's body.
I slowed and pulled over. One of the metal grips holding the rack to my pickup's roof had popped open.
I hammered it back in and kept driving. Hit a pothole – PLAAK! again.
Eventually, I reached a rest stop and re-tightened everything properly. But the message was clear: when you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Those cheap universal racks are fine for your neighbourhood electrician hauling a 5kg aluminium ladder – but not for 22kg of watercraft at 110kph, plus wind shear.
Budget racks are made from thin, soft metal or brittle plastic. They flex, shift and fail under stress.
PLAAK! The grip of a cheap roof rack popping free after the car hit a pothole at high speed.
Quality racks – in the RM1,500 to RM2,000 range – are load-rated, reinforced and vehicle-specific.
They fit better, last longer, and include safety redundancies.
This isn't about brand names – it's about engineering and accountability.
Same goes for tie-down straps.
Good ones cost around RM60. They resist UV damage, have non-slip cam buckles that stay tight, and hold tension without crushing your kayak.
Observe that when carrying two kayaks, each one is strapped individually to the roof rack.
The RM20 imports from online sellers? Sure, they'll work – until the fabric starts rubbing off in your hand.
That's your warning sign: sunlight and friction are breaking them down. Replace immediately.
Always strap with the buckles on the left side of your car – so you're not adjusting them while standing in traffic.
Use two straps per boat, minimum. Add front and rear lines if you're hitting the expressway.
On long drives, stop every hour or so at rest areas to check your straps. Tension can shift with heat and road vibration.
Also, know the rules.
We checked with the Road Transport Department – the 2020 roof rack guidelines are still in effect: Roof racks must not extend more than 23cm above the roof;
Boats must not exceed the width or length of your vehicle;
At least two tie-downs are required per craft; and
The front axle must bear at least 20% of the load's weight.
If your setup sticks out or looks unstable – especially with too much weight at the rear – you can be fined, or worse, ordered to stop and call a lorry.
Don't wait for that 'PLAAK!' moment.
As the Malay saying goes: malang tidak berbau. But with the right gear, you won't need a warning.