Cartop dinghys

[Haji]

Mrs Haji and I bit the bullet on the weekend and ordered a new caravan to start travelling around Aus. Planning to do max six weeks at a time with possibly 2-3 trips per annum. And maybe some shorter runs to places or events of interest.

We are not planning to join the grey nomads who leave home during the winter months and travel to places like Karumba and stay there for 5 to 6 months each year.

As I will be wanting to fish during our tours I am considering buying a cartop dinghy. Question is, what sort, materials, how heavy etc.

We own a Prado which is fitted out for 4WD offroad touring including a heavy duty TJM roofrack.

I would appreciate any advice on the best way/gear to load a tinnie onto a roofrack and what is a practical size/style of cartopper given that it will have to be loaded and unloaded by my wife and I.

[storms72]

Haji, I recently looked into this for a small boat I was considering buying and the best place for the info you require is to go to a roof rack specialist. They will give you all the info you need on weight tolerance of rack/roof, easy-loaders, and max size of boat you can put on your racks.

[Haji]

Thanks Jason
I had my Prado serviced today and the very knowledgable lady who works there suggested fitting a roller to the back of my TJM roof rack and some square RHS transverse bars U bolted to the rack with guides and tie down points. Apparently all that you have to do then is to stand the dinghy up at the back of the vehicle, lean it on the roller them just lift and roll it on. It sounds very simple and effective.

Does anyone use a system like that and have any photos they can post?

I am also looking for advice on the best/most practical dinghy to buy. EG; size, type etc. To roll onto the rack the gunwhales will need to be flat with no protrusions and no sheer in the line of the gunwhale. Is there such a unit?

Come on Dog, you have an opinion on most things, any thoughts on this one?

:biggrin:

[xtosea]

Here you go Haji, i used to manage these people when i was doing RealEstate.
Freestyle marine (http://www.freestylemarine.com.au/)
Kamil

[storms72]

Hank, you just have to measure the width of your racks mate....Pretty simple, you then know how wide you can go....Length is the other thing but you would be restricted to under 4m I would expect because of the restriction in width and to also keep weight to a managable level when loading and unloading the boat!

Have a look at manufacturers web sites in tinnies and car toppers sections and you will find something suitable.

Jason

[nimrod]

I have a couple of ladder rack type roof racks at work I need to flog off to someone:pottytrain1: , They have rollers at the rear and skid plates like they have on boat trailers. Might be able to adapt them to suit boat loading. Will see if I can take some photos.
Will be cheaper then buying new, and they have a threaded rod tube fitted about 12 ' long for holding the rods secure.
As for the boat 10' punt and about 4-6 hp motor, when I say threaded I mean the end caps are threaded

Frank

[quintrex101]

i am also in the market for a 10 footer boat, i have been looking around for a while now, here is the boat i been looking at, been looking for one of this secondhand but !!!!!!!

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Photos/W810523067067.jpg?r=767162643

and something like this on the back

http://proxy.tcimages.net/DisplayImage.aspx?PD=17111723&S=ISS

haji, if i was you i only buy a outboard up to 5 hp, 2 reasons

1... you have the built in fuel tank which means no fulling up a 15 litre tank or more,

2..no registration need for the motor !!!!!!!!!!!!

[storms72]

Quinnie 1 reason why haji shouldn't get a outboard with a inbuilt fuel tank, if transporting it in the back or the car fuel will spill and stink as he would have to have it on its side. Could get a bracket to mount engine on rear of car or caravan but then theft comes into the equation!

Get a sensible engine as I know you will Haji-max it out mate I know you like going fast, most small cartoppers to 12ft can take a 15hp.

[quintrex101]

full it up wen you get there :tease: :rolling laughter: :rolling laughter:

[storms72]

It still smells from previous fill-ups:_smack_: :pottytrain1: :tease: .
External fuel tank can be carried on rack at rear of caravan-many have these already there for this exact purpose:ohhh yeah:

[Haji]

Kamil, you are a prince! Thanks for the info mate.

Quinie/Jason I have a 15Hp motor that I intend to use on the cartopper, will make a bracket to mount it on the bar of the van. The motor clamps come together in a way that allows a lock to be fitted through the holes in the handles. Very secure.

Just talked to Bass who suggested a Punt for stability and easy loading, sounds good to me.

[quintrex101]

It still smells from previous fill-ups:_smack_: :pottytrain1: :tease: .
External fuel tank can be carried on rack at rear of caravan-many have these already there for this exact purpose:ohhh yeah:

i guess so, :_smack_: :pottytrain1: you win http://www.sydneyfishfinder.com.au/sffforum/images/smilies/rolling%20laughter.gifhttp://www.sydneyfishfinder.com.au/sffforum/images/smilies/rolling%20laughter.gif

[Boiler]

Haji,

Just looking through a mag (F&B's Trailers, towing & roof tops) they have a section on roof top loading thingys.

Its by Rhino Roof racks "Automatic BOat Loader"

Ph: 02 9638 4744

Hope this helps

[Haji]

Thanks Boiler!

[storms72]

Haji, heres the boat loader for you....I'm pretty sure it will suit your racks-do you have rhino brand racks?????

http://motorcare.com.au/boatloader.htm
Geez, I took so long looking at boats for you Haji I just saw Roy's post-well heres a pic and explanation of the loader!

For v-nose punt:::::Hard to recommend anything at the moment mate as theres plenty around but your roof racks weight capacity will narrow the field dramatically.

[Boiler]

Thats it storm!

[nimrod]

So I take it you are not interested in my racks.
So won't bother taking photos of them.
Frank

[Haji]

Sorry Frank, I missed your post by jumping straight to the last one.

Its probably a bit early for me to commit to any particular system at present. First I have to decide what sort of boat we will get. May even end up being a canadian canoe.

In the meantime I am looking for as many ideas as I can get. The van will not be delivered until April next year so I have plenty of time to look around.

Thanks for the offer of photo's, much appreciated and may come back to you on that.

Cheers.

[quintrex101]

with a 15 hp it be better with a 12 footer,

haji have a look at the 12 footer range from bluefin, they are top little boat and cheep too !!!!!!!

[Bass flicker]

I have a little evinrude 4hp with an internal tank and it also has a socket for an external tank. Im sure most would have this option??

[storms72]

Yeah BF, you're right most do but some dont. Haji-if you end up with a punt you will be able to ski behind it with a 15hp....Was looking at some different brands and most from the 10ft size up can take tour 15hp-many are suited to short shaft but as an option you can have the high transom fitted and long shaft then ok! Might be worthwile starting to look soon as we are rapidly approaching summer and if you want a few options fitted to the boat you may wait a few months for it to be delivered.