We have been travelling down the east coast and have seen quite a few cars with a roof top tiinny on. We had to sell our boat when we started caravanning as it is a bit difficult to tow everything around this big country. It has got us thinking maybe this is the way to go. Would appreciate any input on the pros and cons. We have a land cruiser 200 series so can accomodate it on the roof. Also are the roof top loaders a good idea. Thanks for any help on the subject.
TheHeaths said
08:20 PM Aug 7, 2018
The big problem is weight. I think you will find, depending on your van, that a roof top carrier, a tinny, motor, trailer if you get one, all the fishing gear, and fuel will take you over your allowable weights.
I would do a lot of investigation before investing in a boat and the paraphernalia to use it. The 200 series doesn't have an especially high GVM, and I suspect many of the vehicles you have seen with boats are over weight.
fwdoz said
08:26 PM Aug 7, 2018
Roof top boat sounds like a great idea, but not sure how the Landcruiser would go under water.
All gags aside, Landcruiser 200 series has a maximum limit of 200KGS on the roof, so provided you are under that it's fine. Just remember, that weight, the occupants, towball weight does not leave much room at all as the payload of a 200 series is usually 645-665, unless you are unlucky enough to own a VX which has even less.
-- Edited by fwdoz on Tuesday 7th of August 2018 08:28:30 PM
rockylizard said
09:16 PM Aug 7, 2018
Gday...
Landcruiser 200 has between 100 and 170Kg carrying capacity on roof - dependent on configuration.
See #3 note in this table -
As per earlier comments, Toyota 200 series has not much payload and therefore easy to reach/exceed GVM ... also it is quite easy to put too much on the roof.
A couple of lightweight tinnies worth a look include the new 320 and 360 Wanderers (50 and 53kg) and the Stacer 319 Seasprite (58kg). The boats can navigate lakes and estuaries and their modest weight makes them easy to launch and load from the roof of a 4WD.
Whichever way it is counted, carrying a tinny and loader on the roof of a 200 series is heading to having GVM problems. The "170Kg" that is 'allowed' on the roof is part of the payload as is the towball weight, passengers, knitting bag, Waeco fridge, extra pair of boots, bull bar etc etc
Cheers - John
villatranquilla said
10:33 AM Aug 8, 2018
our porta bote folding boat as been great - weighs 35 kg and looks like a surf board when its on the roof - great for rivers , weirs and lakes - not for ocean fishing. Quicker than a blow-up to both set up and pack up. Remember as well as the weight of the boat and loader you need space and weight allowance for motor, safety gear and fuel.
Cupie said
05:55 PM Aug 8, 2018
Fishing kayaks usually weigh less than 35kg. Add another 15kg for gear.
No need for a motor especially if you go for a Hobie (Make that 40kg for the kayak though)
2trout said
07:09 PM Aug 8, 2018
Some problems with roof toppers (apart from the weight) are:-
1. When you put the up there the salt water that remains in the hull drips onto the roof of the vehicle (not good for duco)
2. The outboard will leak water also and probably some fuel unless you have a suitable mounting point outside the vehicle
3. The boats can be a bugger to get up on and down from the roof consequently
4. Many are never used; they are just carried around on the top of the vehicle
5. Boats are awkward to get to the water once they are removed from the roof. I know that there are small trailers, wheels etc but remember that they all add weight and need to be stored somewhere when travelling
I am a keen fisher with 2 boats but I do not think that the hassles are worth the effort. There are many good shore fishing spots and you can use you
boat when you get home.
jbrinks said
09:33 PM Aug 8, 2018
Boats off the wish list. Thanks for the replies
2trout said
09:35 PM Aug 8, 2018
Get a new Sage rod instead!
dabbler said
03:19 PM Aug 9, 2018
I'm with Cupie. Kayaks are a good option in many places.
JayDee said
03:50 PM Aug 9, 2018
we tossed up re a roofie or a inflatable. settled for the later.
Even then the weight of the inflatable the motor the battery and other accessories ups the pay load.
All of the inflatable & gear are carried in the rear section of the cruiser.
Toss up which is best, but one thing for sure we will never put the rubber duckie in the waters where Mr Croc.lives. Just thought I would get that in first.
jay&Dee
Rob Driver said
03:51 PM Aug 9, 2018
My brother had a roof top boat and it caused his car to get a lot of rust in the roof and some other parts as well.
He says he will never have another one.
Desert Dweller said
07:18 PM Aug 9, 2018
We go either caravaning OR boating/fishing.
Caravaning.
Boating/Fishing
Aus-Kiwi said
07:45 PM Aug 9, 2018
With we had some light kayak , tinny whist on WA coast . Long way to hire there .
villatranquilla said
10:19 AM Aug 10, 2018
bentaxlebabe wrote:
My brother had a roof top boat and it caused his car to get a lot of rust in the roof and some other parts as well. He says he will never have another one.
not a problem with a porta bote cos its plastic
Rob Driver said
11:32 AM Aug 10, 2018
villatranquilla wrote:
bentaxlebabe wrote:
My brother had a roof top boat and it caused his car to get a lot of rust in the roof and some other parts as well. He says he will never have another one.
not a problem with a porta bote cos its plastic
With the boat being carried on the roof the salt washed from the boat during rain and onto the car and rusted it out.
If the porta boat folds up and is stored then it may not cause any rust.
We went away with them once and it really seemed like a lot of bother to get the boat on and off and then he had to assemble a little trailer and fit the motor and all the fishing lines and other bits.
My hubby would tell him he was over his weight with it on the roof and the boat engine on the front of the caravan.
We have been travelling down the east coast and have seen quite a few cars with a roof top tiinny on. We had to sell our boat when we started caravanning as it is a bit difficult to tow everything around this big country. It has got us thinking maybe this is the way to go. Would appreciate any input on the pros and cons. We have a land cruiser 200 series so can accomodate it on the roof. Also are the roof top loaders a good idea. Thanks for any help on the subject.
I would do a lot of investigation before investing in a boat and the paraphernalia to use it. The 200 series doesn't have an especially high GVM, and I suspect many of the vehicles you have seen with boats are over weight.
Roof top boat sounds like a great idea, but not sure how the Landcruiser would go under water.
All gags aside, Landcruiser 200 series has a maximum limit of 200KGS on the roof, so provided you are under that it's fine. Just remember, that weight, the occupants, towball weight does not leave much room at all as the payload of a 200 series is usually 645-665, unless you are unlucky enough to own a VX which has even less.
-- Edited by fwdoz on Tuesday 7th of August 2018 08:28:30 PM
Gday...
Landcruiser 200 has between 100 and 170Kg carrying capacity on roof - dependent on configuration.
See #3 note in this table -
As per earlier comments, Toyota 200 series has not much payload and therefore easy to reach/exceed GVM ... also it is quite easy to put too much on the roof.
Cheers - John
cheers
blaze
Inflatable or Porta-bote are more convenient.
They're called rooftop boats because in a lot of cases that's where they spend 99.9% of their time, ON THE ROOF.
Keen fishermen friends of ours did a lap of Oz & their boat came off the roof 4 times.
A common adage these days is, if you see someone towing a big caravan with a boat on the roof of the tug they're probably overweight.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Wednesday 8th of August 2018 08:51:43 AM
Gday...
Available roof top weight = 170Kg (with conditions)
Mozzie Boat Loader -
The aluminium roof rack and boat trailer for the average boat weigh just 90kgs after the wheels are removed.
http://mozzi.com.au/
A couple of lightweight tinnies worth a look include the new 320 and 360 Wanderers (50 and 53kg) and the Stacer 319 Seasprite (58kg). The boats can navigate lakes and estuaries and their modest weight makes them easy to launch and load from the roof of a 4WD.
https://www.boatsales.com.au/editorial/details/boating-advice-the-lowdown-on-car-toppers-58058/
Whichever way it is counted, carrying a tinny and loader on the roof of a 200 series is heading to having GVM problems. The "170Kg" that is 'allowed' on the roof is part of the payload as is the towball weight, passengers, knitting bag, Waeco fridge, extra pair of boots, bull bar etc etc
Cheers - John
our porta bote folding boat as been great - weighs 35 kg and looks like a surf board when its on the roof - great for rivers , weirs and lakes - not for ocean fishing. Quicker than a blow-up to both set up and pack up. Remember as well as the weight of the boat and loader you need space and weight allowance for motor, safety gear and fuel.
Fishing kayaks usually weigh less than 35kg. Add another 15kg for gear.
No need for a motor especially if you go for a Hobie (Make that 40kg for the kayak though)
1. When you put the up there the salt water that remains in the hull drips onto the roof of the vehicle (not good for duco)
2. The outboard will leak water also and probably some fuel unless you have a suitable mounting point outside the vehicle
3. The boats can be a bugger to get up on and down from the roof consequently
4. Many are never used; they are just carried around on the top of the vehicle
5. Boats are awkward to get to the water once they are removed from the roof. I know that there are small trailers, wheels etc but remember that they all add weight and need to be stored somewhere when travelling
I am a keen fisher with 2 boats but I do not think that the hassles are worth the effort. There are many good shore fishing spots and you can use you
boat when you get home.
we tossed up re a roofie or a inflatable. settled for the later.
Even then the weight of the inflatable the motor the battery and other accessories ups the pay load.
All of the inflatable & gear are carried in the rear section of the cruiser.
Toss up which is best, but one thing for sure we will never put the rubber duckie in the waters where Mr Croc.lives. Just thought I would get that in first.
jay&Dee
He says he will never have another one.
We go either caravaning OR boating/fishing.

Caravaning.
Boating/Fishing
not a problem with a porta bote cos its plastic
With the boat being carried on the roof the salt washed from the boat during rain and onto the car and rusted it out.
If the porta boat folds up and is stored then it may not cause any rust.
We went away with them once and it really seemed like a lot of bother to get the boat on and off and then he had to assemble a little trailer and fit the motor and all the fishing lines and other bits.
My hubby would tell him he was over his weight with it on the roof and the boat engine on the front of the caravan.
He did not want to know.