Roof Top Boat ( tinny ) Loaders / Carriers

Submitted: Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 21:01

ThreadID: 55304 Views:16126 Replies:7 FollowUps:8

This Thread has been Archived

greggu

Hi - interested in some feed back re genuine hands on experience with the roof top boat carriers - have a 3.75 Bermuda tinny vee punt which we usually carry on the KK Classic Mariner Camper but would prefer to carry it on the GU Patrol as its then out of the way when overnight camping - had a long hard look at the Rhino boat loader and it looks ok but maybe something better is now available - getting it up and on to the carrier easily by one person (male over 60 but still reasonably fit) and then getting it off again easily with that same one person is what i am looking for - and obviously budget is a consideration - any useful feedback would be much appreciated
my thanks in advance greg

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 21:56

Friday, Mar 07, 2008 at 21:56

Greg, I carry a 3.75m Quintrex Dart on the Hilux and load it by hand. Have rollers on the rear bars to help. But it is a bit of a struggle on my own. Previously had a 3.5 m Stacer, which was much easier, but not as good on the water.

I agree with on carrying on the 4WD. I considered fitting a boat loader to the CT, but for a number of reasons went with carrying on the vehicle.

I've checked out a number of boat loaders and will get one, one day. Have a new 70 Series Cab Chassis on order and the canopy will be higher on it than the current Hilux, so that might be the point for the investment.

From my look so far, the Custom Boat Loader looks good. Easy to use and the work can be done with a small electric motor or a cordless drill. They are an advertiser on this site:
Custom Boat Loaders

AnswerID: 291487

Follow Up By: greggu - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:26

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:26

thanks norm appreciate your thoughts
greg

FollowupID: 556922

Reply By: joeblogs - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 08:28

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 08:28

Hi Greg
I have a GU patrol and I also have a custom boat loader fitted. I like you looked at a lot of products but finally decided on the custom boat loader. I carry a 3.6mtr Blue finn and it goes on and off the vehicle with ease. The one fault (if any) is that the rack on the boat loader can only be used for short objects. I cannot fit a fuel tank under my boat as the boat hits it when loading or unloading. I am going to get a rail welded all the way around the boat so that I can carry taller stuff under the boat. I also use an electric drill (when I can) because it is much faster. Other than that I can highly recommend this product.

AnswerID: 291542

Follow Up By: greggu - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:26

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:26

thanks for the feed back joe
my best greg

FollowupID: 556923

Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:39

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:39

Joe, the storage underneath is one of the reasons I currently load by hand. I have a large basket under the boat and I load it to the hilt. Just loaded yesterday in prep for a trip to NT and was amazed how much stuff I got under there. Every inch between the thwarts and up to the floor of the boat is full.

What I do is load the boat, then lift one side and get my wife to put two supports between the foof racks and the gunwale of the boat (lengths of ply with appropriate shapes cut into the ends). This holds one side of the boat up about 700mm. Plenty of room to pack the basket.

I have a second set of bars on the cab of the Hilux, and fit even more stuff on them and up between the bow and the front thwart.

Don't know if it is possible to do that with the Custom Boat Loader, but worth a thought if you can work something out. All the big ugly, but light stuff goes up there and saves heaps of space in the Hilux. Also lets us carry a bit more stuff for comfort both in camp and in the boat.

Norm C

FollowupID: 556926

Reply By: Member - neville G (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 08:28

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 08:28

Greg, we have a 3.7mtr. Quintrex on a Custom Boat loader and couldn,t be happier. Ours is the electric (remote) model which will put a dent in the budget, and is mounted on 100 series cruiser. This is our second trip with the loader and it works very well. Check the load carrying ability of the loader before you commit, from memory the Rhino was marginal for our tinny and a bit of other gear that we put up there.
Cheers, Nev

AnswerID: 291543

Follow Up By: greggu - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:25

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 12:25

thanks guys looks like the custom boat loader is well thought of and that may be the way to go - not cheap though but nothing is that works well - appreciate the feed back thanks
my best greg

FollowupID: 556921

Reply By: Bill n Di - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 14:14

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 14:14

Hi Greggu,

Not sure where you are but we will be at the Perth Caravan Show 13-17th March if you would like to see one. We'll have a GU Patrol with a Quintrex 3.85m Explorer on top - of a remote controlled model.

Come up and say hello if you, or anyone else is there - don't forget Explore Oz members get a discount too! Good reason to become a member!

Dian

AnswerID: 291596

Follow Up By: greggu - Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 15:33

Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 15:33

thanks but live in QLD - like perth but a bit far to travel to the show - incidently who handles your product in QLD
my best greg

FollowupID: 557114

Reply By: Member - George (WA) - Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 19:29

Saturday, Mar 08, 2008 at 19:29

Hi Greg,
I have a Rhino boat loader, have had it for 5 years, use it frequently and is the best thing i have ever bought. They are available with electric or hand wind up mechanism. Mine is hand mechanism and find it easy to use. My dingy is a Dart. The boat loader is bolted to the top of my roof rack. I store the dingy seats, fuel tank and a box with all the other bits you need, on my roof rack and then load the dingy over the top. Hope this helps
Cheers

Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

AnswerID: 291658

Follow Up By: greggu - Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 15:34

Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 15:34

thanks geroge appreciate the feed back

FollowupID: 557115

Reply By: Ozymacca - Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 06:20

Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 06:20

Hi Greg

I have a custom boat loader the electric model. I'm very happy with it. I have pasted a link to photos of my custom boatloader in action below. I do carry my outboard fuel & fishbox under the boat on the rack with no problems of the boat hitting them in either unloading or loading. Hope this helps.

Macca's Custom boatloader photo's

Cheers Macca

AnswerID: 291717

Follow Up By: greggu - Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 15:35

Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 15:35

thanks macca lots of votes for the custom boat loader it seems
my best greg

FollowupID: 557116

Reply By: Members - Bow & Nan - Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 09:06

Sunday, Mar 09, 2008 at 09:06

Greg

Our Tinnie Tosser handles the 3,7 Sea Jay without any problems. No wind noise and is easy to operate
Available in manual or electric models.

Image Could Not Be Found

Greg

AnswerID: 291729