For those of you that have boats....

Hi Mate, I dont know what you want to do with your boat but if you want 4 people onboard for "a day out" you cant do that easily in a small boat. It's only for ferrying people around short distances. I would say for fishing trips etc you would only take 2. In a much larger boat I had 4 people was unconfortable for a day out.

Anyway the way I solved this problem was a very wide open plastic canoe made by nylex and an electric outboard. In high it goes faster than you can paddle, its good for fishing with plenty of room for 2 and fairly stable. Obviously it isnt going to get you 5km upriver and is only good for inland stuff. But it is a very easy rig to look after, lift and easy access. Also I charge the batts while driving and dont need to take extra fuel. I can take 2 batts with me, I get 3 hrs motor running on medium per batt.

We have an 11 foot inflatable that we carry on roof racks, Bombard brand. Its an easy single person load/unload. Boat has rigid floor and a 15HP Mariner 2 stroke motor.

I bought it to use bass fishing in rivers and occassionally lakes as the inflatable is stable to cast off.

It is a very wet boat in any sort of wave/wash but a whole load of fun as well. Will carry 4 people legally. 2 is best when fishing. Draws about 100 mm of water so can go pretty well anywhere in low water. Occassionally we use an electric on the back of it which is ok for trolling and working oyster racks. etc.

We have also used it to tow the kids on a biscuit. Max speed is 22 knts and about 18 when towing the biscuit, 2 on board and one in the water.

Have used it to ferry people to and from islands in Sydney Harbour. It's OK but really doesnt like wash from larger baots. On a very quite day 2 of us went out to the heads, but I wouldn't venture far in any sort to sea in it.

My mandate when buying it was no trailer as I didn't want yet another axle to service and register. You do need a license in NSW to use it over 8 knts.

We have travelled with a boat on the roof rack of the car as well as another trip with the boat on top of the trailer.
Both have there for and against.
The boat is a 12ft Clark which was brought second hand at least 17 years ago been knocked around a bit but that was why we went the way we did. Didnt want a new one and then get angry with rub marks from the roof rack from bought roads etc. We first travelled with an 9 horse Evenrude but upgraded to a 15 horse - more power for the same weight to carry.
When the boat was on the car you could set up camp and drive to put boat in water. Problem was putting boat back on roof rack and wanting to wash the salt water off before putting on top of car.
With the boat on top of the trailer you had to be more organised ie before setting up camp take boat off, Got caught a couple of times was not going to put the boat in the water and then changed mind so had to drop the camp to get the boat off tilting boat rack ours sits up in the air when camp is set up if you dont take the boat off. You also need a folding boat trailer to get to the water so more bits to carry we took a Flip N easy Trailer with us which takes up room in the car or you have to take boat trailer and put on top of car.
We fished with 2 adults and 2 children. Yes fishing is easier when only two but you can fish ok with 4 and the kids usually outfish you. Remember also the kids grow up and dont come with you at some time in the future.

Hi David ,

I take a 3.75m Quintrex Dart on top of my Trak Shak camper . I have wheels which I clamp on to the gunnels and an attachment which connects the front of the boat to my Tregg trailer hitch . I run a 15 hp Merc which is only just sufficient to get it up on the plane with three guys and fishing gear on board .

When barra fishing I use Air-o-Float stabilizers on the sides . I did not get a V nose punt because of their poor performance ( comparatively ) in big wind chop . You can get some very big waves on inland lakes - I know , I found out the hard way on Jindabyne and Eucumbene !

Cheers ,

Willie .

Hi Grungle,
When my boys were that age, we had a 12ft flat bottomed punt and a 10 HP Johnson 2 stroke. That had a good turn of speed but used to slap and bang in any sort of chop. I carried it on the roof of my old troopy but never used it in salt - I would have serious doubts about putting a salt laden boat onto a car roof. We could tow the boys behind the boat on their boogie boards too - great fun. I hope to buy an Alum 3.4m v bottom punt and 10 HP Honda 4 stroke at the Brissy boat show in Sept and carry it on the roof, but also get a folding trailer for when we stop somewhere to use the boat, that way I can wash it out and dry it before putting it back up top. BTW check out the new rules about life jackets - it may be that the kids have to wear them by law now?

Hi Grungle,
I run an Ally Craft 3.1 Mtr pointy nosed punt with a bit of vee in the hull, powered with an 8hp Yamaha,. This is carried up side down on top of a Hall's Camper Trailer. I would suggest that for four people you would not go less than 3.75 and even then you are going to be overcrowded for fishing. I believe that you may need to reconsider your expectations. There is no way you are going to be able to fish four people comfortably from a "car topper". Is it imperative for all four to be able to fish at the same time? Desirable I'm sure, but impractible I believe.
The bigger the boat the larger the motor required and the more room it takes to store and the heavier to fit and carry.
A dinghy will ride better through the chop, (I agree with Willie about the chop that can come up on the inland lakes), but be aware that length for length you do get more usable room in a pointy nosed "punt" or Barra type boat than you do with a traditional dinghy. Is it imperative that you be able to go out on the water every day? If it's that windy, do you want to go out? Why not have a day doing something else?
When you come to the subject of trailers there are many alternatives. You have the option of "clip on" type wheels to roll you boat to the water, many people supplement these with varying types of "hitch" arrangements so as to be able to tow them behind a vehicle. These are well and good if they suit your needs but of course have particular drawbacks, you can't tow at speed, are impractible to tow any distance and of course leave you open to be infringed for having an unregistered/uninsured trailer. There is a particular holiday area on the NSW Coast where the local copper hunts down and infringes users of this type of device. (I'm not going to state where or who because I've had two nasty run-ins with the bastard).
If you do not wish to be restricted to the immediate vicinity of your camp site I would suggest you have a look at folding trailers and thoroughly recommend Real Ezy Trailers who are a sponsor on this site. I purchased a trailer from them and am more than satisfied with the product, (I have no financial interest etc; ect; Blah; etc:).
I'm a keen fisho, my boat and trailer are an integeral part of my camper trailer "rig", I'm more than happy to attempt to answere any further questions/queries if desired, feel free to member message if you prefer.

Ian

David,

Your prerequisites almost cancel each other, almost.

I have a 3.4 metre Stessl Edge Tracker with a 15 HP outboard, registered to carry 3 adults.

For 4 people, you will need to go for a 3.7 metre and in the Edge Tracker Lite range is still rated as a Car Topper with a weight of 75 kg. Maximum rated engine is 20 HP but this is where you start thinking, "How do I carry it".

A 20 HP Outboard would be marginal for one person to lift and carry any distance and you need to transport it somewhere in or on your vehicle.

IMO you would need a boat loader if carrying on the vehicle roof rack or a trailer of some kind.

Before I got my Camper Trailer, I transported the boat upside down on rollers attached to a 7x4 offroad trailer. All the camping gear and motor went inside the trailer.

Now, with the Camper Trailer and a folding boat trailer I am fully set up to go anywhere at any time in estaries, rivers and lakes, but I certainly wouldn't venture too far offshore at coastal locations.

If you look closely at the picture you can see the outboard on the left rear of the trailer's tailgate where it is easily accessible. The folding trailer (not visible) is under the boat and on top of the rack.

!MPG:10!

David,

I have what you are talking about. Savage 3.8m, 75kg, evinrude motor 15 hp, 75kg, have topped it on a camper, but is on a trailer.

Use it in the Murray and creeks around Chowilla in SA.

Could be tempted to sell if the price was right & of course if you are not 1,000 of km away.

Send members message if you are interested.

Regards