I'm new here but have read a lot of good information here and figured someone could give me some ideas. I have a 15.5 foot pelican canoe and will be taking my 6 year old with me. I'm trying to figure out a way to load this on my car without tearing up the paint. I will be loading and unloading this by myself.

Thanks for your help.

Good question.  Don't have an answer for you, however.  The last time I attempted to load my canoe, even with the assistance of my g-friend, it slipped and scuffed the roof of my Civic.  I've considered using rope and pulleys and suspending my canoe from my garage.  But that's only good for when I'm home and does nothing for when I'm at the lake/river.

Welcome to the BR Forums - the PREMIER bass fishing site on the Net, IMO. I think someone makes a top of the car loading assistant that allows you to load a small boat or canoe on top of your car without damaging it. IF I recollect right, there are also some manufacturers of some rollers that will let you lift one end of your small boat/canoe up on them and then slide/roll the rest of the craft on top of you car. Try this link:  http://www.cabelas.com/hprod-1/0030168.shtml

Hope this helps you out.

Pool "noodles".  Those things that kids play with in the pool.  About 5 foot long and 3 inches in diameter.  Find the ones with the hollow centers, cut a slit and put on the gunwales of the canoe.  (you can use the solid ones but it's a lot more work)  This way you can rest one side on the top of the car and slide it over to the other side without scrapes or scratches.  Just make sure you put it on the side opposite of the radio antenna.  Should be pretty easy with only a 15 footer.  

Pool "noodles". Those things that kids play with in the pool. About 5 foot long and 3 inches in diameter. Find the ones with the hollow centers, cut a slit and put on the gunwales of the canoe. (you can use the solid ones but it's a lot more work) This way you can rest one side on the top of the car and slide it over to the other side without scrapes or scratches. Just make sure you put it on the side opposite of the radio antenna. Should be pretty easy with only a 15 footer.

71Rig's idea sounds darn good.  I'll have to try this.  I'd like to add, if I may, that it's probably a good idea to wash or brush off any dust that is resting on your cars surface.  That stuff is as bad as sandpaper at scratching/scuffing paint or clearcoat.

Thanks guys. I will give the pool noodles a try. I have the foam blocks but they scratched the roof pretty good. I'll defiantly try washing the roof and see if it helps any.

Thanks again

i have a 17ft coleman that i wrestle with. if you can put a portable bar type roof rack(pep boys $30) you can rest one end of the canoe on the back rack bar and then one person can easily slide the canoe up and onto the car without the canoe touching the car.....but.....from personal experience, and i dont know what you drive...the

"universal" roof rack, naturally isnt universal, if you happen to drive a versa, like i do. the hooks to secure the bars to the roof of the car will not stay secure because of the angled sides of the roof. pool noodles or pipe insulation are good too, but you still have contact with your car. good luck