Car topper boats

JayDee · Guru

Car topper boats

Cupie · Guru

I think that my Viking Fisherman kayak with an electric motor is a far better proposition. Can get it in a two person version also but I have taken grand children fishing in my solo model.

Mine is very stable & great in rough water too. Extremely comfortable in calm water. After a bit of practice you can stand up to cast if you want to show off. It weighs around 30kg + bits & pieces extra, which makes it easy to load on top of the Patrol. Mine goes over the bullbar onto roof racks but there are lots of cheap loaders available. It has waterproof hatches for all the fishing, food, drinks & safety stuff, as well as an anchor, anchor trolley and the like. I have a one man tent that will go in the front hatch for overnight camping. You can fit fish finders, solar GPS & even a sail if you wish. Of course there are rod holders. I have four. Two of which are great for trolling. A cheap trolley makes it a treat to transport to the water.

PeterInSa · Guru

Looks good, but to me its a bit small. Ok am biased have a 2.7m inflatable with a 3.3 Merc outboard. Have a collapse able trolley for the inflatable to get it to the water.
Here's a comparison with a larger Boat and a smaller inflatable.

www.youtube.com/watch

Peter

TheHeaths · Guru

That's not a boat, it's a bath tub!

darjak · Senior Member

It would be alright if you only wanted to do creeks or dams fishing in calm weather on your own.

Wouldn't want to take it up north in handbag (CROC), shark territory or travel any distance.

Me mine is a 3.6m Blue Fin custom build with a 18hp Tohatsu that has no restrictions on where
I want to go. It's wide enough to walk around in for Flicking and throwing a castnet, even with
two people on one side.

JayDee · Guru

Peter,

I also have an inflatable with a 60lb electric motor. My guess is the weight of the boat only would be around 50kgs.

It is about the same size as yours. but I was thinking of the idea of a boat and also a POD on top for storage. Looks a good idea. I think that there are more than one size in their range.

The weight and method of loading back on the vehicle impressed me.

I may follow up further.

Jay&Dee

MikeL · Veteran Member

I'm looking at this at the moment and wonder if anyone has comments about Tinny versus Inflatable versus Kayak versus Folding. There will be 2 of us and I would prefer power but happy to hear all comments. I am tending towards 2.7m folding as this would seem to be OK for (good condition) estuary/inshore fishing. I'm an experienced sailor so all safety aspects will be in place.

PeterInSa · Guru

Mike,
I think its a case of Weight/Tinny, Space Tinny or 2 Yaks, Unload from the roof Tinny/Yaks, or inflate time/Inflatable and expected use Creek/Dam/River/Open water and your RV ie a 4x4 can have a tinny/yaks on the roof, a 4x4/caravan can store the inflatable, a motor home can tow a 1/2 cabin or store an inflatable.

Our Inflatable previously had an electric motor and Lithium battery, prior to buying the small merc, thinking of using the motor/battery on one of our yaks.

I have no experience with the folding boat, but its the storage while travelling consideration as well as a light trailer to get the boat to the water.

Peter

MikeL · Veteran Member

Well the folding boat can be carried to the water's edge and assembled there in 4 minutes, similarly, a small outboard with built in tank is also easy to carry and set up.. Storage for the folded boat would be along the side of the caravan - sticks out hardly at all.

I used to have an inflatable dinghy/outboard combo for getting to the mooring my yacht was on but you were looking at 10 minutes setup/pumping time. A tinny generally needs a roof rack and dismount/mount system as well as a light trailer but a tinny is very robust.

Tending towards a folding boat at moment.

Rongela · Veteran Member

Anyone familiar with a Tinoo. A cross between a canoe and a Tinny. It's aluminium 3mtrs x 850 mm. Approx. Made by Bluefin boats.

sandman55 · Guru

Some friends of ours have a folding boat. It folds up to the size and shape of a large surfboard. I read an article on them some time back and they test them with a huge amount of folds. They are different than your average tinny in that as you go over the chop of waves they do flex a bit but that would be the way I would go if I put a boat on the roof. Here are a couple of links

http://quickboats.com/

https://www.porta-bote.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8fGdyu7V2wIVQXS9Ch38XwB-EAAYASAAEgJaZfD_BwE&_vsrefdom=p.417

Craig1 · Guru

Quick boats has just been sold to a new owner. I test "drove" one a while back, very impressive. But was expensive. Seemed very ridgid once assembled. bugger all flex with three in it.