Roof Top Boats- Are they worth having

jbrinks · Senior Member

Roof Top Boats- Are they worth having

TheHeaths · Guru

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 · Guru

Roof top boat sounds like a great idea, but not sure how the Landcruiser would go under water. smile

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 · Guru

Gday...

Landcruiser 200 has between 100 and 170Kg carrying capacity on roof - dependent on configuration.

See #3 note in this table -

LC 200 03.jpg

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

blaze · Guru

Far cheaper and more relaxing to get the odd charter/guide
cheers
blaze

Desert Dweller · Guru

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

moamajohn · Guru

Hi .We live in Echuca and a bloke up here does a roaring business selling only roof toppers ,look him up Mossie Boat loader.Cheers

rockylizard · Guru

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

villatranquilla · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Senior Member

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 · Senior Member

Boats off the wish list. Thanks for the replies

2trout · Senior Member

Get a new Sage rod instead!

dabbler · Guru

I'm with Cupie. Kayaks are a good option in many places.

JayDee · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

We go either caravaning OR boating/fishing.

Keith DC 2018 Lumix 045 (1024x357).jpg

Caravaning.

Boat (1024x768).jpg

Boating/Fishing

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

With we had some light kayak , tinny whist on WA coast . Long way to hire there .

villatranquilla · Guru

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 · Guru

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.

He did not want to know.