Prevent Kayak Keel from Scratching Roof

[HanStinger]

I have Thule bars and the kayak fits with the radio "fin" on the car touching the kayak. (I could put 3M on top of that). But the keel is only an inch above the roof. Going over a bump I could see my inflatable kayak bending and the keel hitting the roof. What should I put inbetween? I was thinking of putting down 3M plastic on that spot and then putting a car detailing sponge jammed between the roof and the keel.

 

[SanDiegoBlue]

Can you put the kayak on the rack facing the other direction?

 

[HanStinger]

That's what I eventually did. There are straps and inflation tubes that hand out so I didn't want to do that at first -- but I got them all tucked in now.