Hi all, new to this, so please forgive any mistakes.
We are finally starting to look at the grey nomad years. this will not be for a couple of years yet but it will come up fast, so as I am the planner in the family, I have started with the homework and the planning. We plan on being on the road for at least 12 months. We have not yet purchased the mode of travel, as this is still a debate.
At this stage my better half is looking at traveling with a camper van/mobile home setup with the boat we have now in tow, it is a 4.8 center console, but I am not so sure. I thought we would travel with a 4x4 towing a van (off road around 17 ft) with a tiny on top of the 4x4. We love our fishing, but really, how often will it go in the water to warrant the extra fuel expense and the hassles of towing it. If it was just a tiny on the roof set up, it would not be so bad, but he really would like to take the one we have. But then would it be worth taking a boat at all.
I would really like your opinions. Maybe some advise as to the best method to maybe tick all the boxes for husband's sack or a good explanation for not taking a boat.
How hard is it to travel with a 4x4 towing a van (off road around 17 ft) with a tinny on the top of the 4x4, are you able to go to pretty much all places or are you restricted because you are towing a van.
My concerns are that we will be limited as to the locations we can go to if we are towing a boat or even a van, or that it will be just a big hassle taking the boat as we may not use it as much as we would think. I just don't want to make an expensive mistake.
Has anyone been on the road for a good length of time and have taken their boat, what were the pros and cons and would you do it again or differently.
Not sure if I have seen you around here before Nat, so welcome to the gang both of you, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Now, when I read the title of this thread I thought I shure hope you don't "take" a boat as the police don't take very kindly to that sort of thing bt after reading the thread it wasn't that sort of "take" so I won't say that.
I spose it is a decision only you two can make really, Me, I don't have a boat to take so no problem there.
Whatever you decide I sure hope you both have fun and enjoy the playground, dry or wet.
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As the man says its a decision that only the two of you can make.
If you took the boat you might need to look carefully at the type & condition of the trailer as well as fitting stone guards & dust covers. Wheel bearings would be a constant worry for me. Off road probably wouldn't be an option unless you had a purpose built trailer.
I must say that I haven't seen too many motor homes pulling a large center console boats around the place, but plenty of 4WDs have tinnies on top with a loading device.
Kayaks are getting more popular too these days & you can get great double or single fisherman. Can even get motors for them as well. Great for estuary & close off shore use .. except where there are crocks.
I'm not really a fisherman & SWMBO is not a water person so for us kayaks are the answer (both for me). Just beautiful to paddle around estuaries & waterholes ... with just a bit of fishing & red claw trapping & you don't need all the motor/fuel & safety gear.
hi there welcome and happy planning and travels
we sort of have a boat with us , we took a single kyak with us , so sort of a boat , wouldnt be without it , great fun , so woud a tinny be too i reckon
we have found the only problem with a 4 x 4 with gear and a boat on is some parking bays with height bars at the entrance , just means a bit of planning and walking sometimes
good lluck
grae and deb
I think that having a boat while travelling around gives greater flexibility to see a lot more of OZ and of course catching fish. A tinnnie on top of your vehicle will increase your fuel consumption though. Another option to a kayak would be a foldable boats like Quickboate of Portabote each weighing less that 40kgs, either can handle upto 10 hp motor.
My experience seems to indicate that a tinnie on top of my old 80 series would reduce windage some what and it was noticable that drag increased without the tinnie.
I suppose this all depends on the windage of the van, just my experience.
Been away a few times and thought .. Sheesh I would love a boat here.. We grew up with boats so its not an issue.. Its the storage/ towing that concerns me? Although it would give SOME room to store things depending on type of boat..
On the other hand it gives way more diversification on things to do ..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Saturday 12th of July 2014 09:33:30 PM
The last big trip we did carrying folding boat (Flatout) in 5 months we used it twice :( Sold it now and next time will go with charter trips or hire a boat on occasion. It was great having the capability but rarely used as most of the time there was little opportunity to use it.
cheers
Mike
-- Edited by Mike C on Sunday 13th of July 2014 09:24:47 AM
Now we are thinking of either taking the Jonnos camper trailer that we have, or selling it and go with a Toyota 4.2 land cruiser with one of those custom canopy on the back that we would be able to sleep in, with a slide out awning with sides. that way we could either tow the boat we have or get a smaller one and have it on the roof.
We are still tossing whether we will be on the road for a long time like 1 or 2 years and just don't stop till we are done or just do a couple of months at a time from a home base. We thought of getting kayaks but my better half as a bad leg and suffers from cramps often and if he should get on while in the kayak it would not be good.
There is sooooooooo much to think about. It is doing my head in.
I remember the good old days when we had the wagon, put the seats down, stuck a mattress in the back, put some curtains up and off we went.
We will get there, but in the mean time, be prepared for more questions, and sometimes maybe stupid ones.
Now we are thinking of either taking the Jonnos camper trailer that we have, or selling it and go with a Toyota 4.2 land cruiser with one of those custom canopy on the back that we would be able to sleep in, with a slide out awning with sides....
Not sure if this would be a comfortable option particularly if your husband has mobility issues. A friend has set up his Navara like this but uses it only for short trips into caravan unacessable locations. Works well for them. But they usually use their caravan with ensuite.
that way we could either tow the boat we have or get a smaller one and have it on the roof.
We are still tossing whether we will be on the road for a long time like 1 or 2 years and just don't stop till we are done or just do a couple of months at a time from a home base.
We preferred the home base option but you need to be away for at least 6 months to do the round the block or go across to the other side of the continent. Even 6 months is perhaps too short for the block.
If you choose the 1 or 2 year option I think that a full van might be the go.
In any case it might be best to have a trial run in what you've got & consider your desire & needs for long trips.
We thought of getting kayaks but my better half as a bad leg and suffers from cramps often and if he should get on while in the kayak it would not be good.
I too get stiff in the joints after sitting in the same position for long periods. This is why I chose Sit On Top Kayaks (SOTs) rather than my first choice - Sit In Kayaks (SINKs).
Most fishing model SOTs are extremely stable & you can change position easily. I can even stand up & cast from my Viking Fisherman.
There is sooooooooo much to think about. It is doing my head in.
I remember the good old days when we had the wagon, put the seats down, stuck a mattress in the back, put some curtains up and off we went.
I still go away solo for a few days, camping in the back of the Patrol with the seats removed & kayak on top. Use a 2 person tent to store the gear.
We will get there, but in the mean time, be prepared for more questions, and sometimes maybe stupid ones.
There are no stupid questions only stupid people who don't ask or seek advice.
