Car Toppers

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 19:13

ThreadID: 63439 Views:9749 Replies:3 FollowUps:8

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Roof Toppers

This article looks at the features of the ‘roof topper’ and provides a guide to selecting, fitting out and carrying a roof top boat on your travels.

Seakarvan

Just sold our big Quinney and have our van but now need a car topper. Just the two of us early 60's reasonably fit. Looking at a 12 Footer around 80kgs. Is there any recommendations - guidelines etc from the experienced?
A 15hp two-stroke seems the go and I like the idea of a high sided boat.
Getting on a bit, seems to have me thinking one of those Loaders might save the back as well.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Seakarvan

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Reply By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 20:00

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 20:00

Hi
We have a 3.75 Mako Craft (used to be Stessl), think it's called an edge tracker.
Very happy with it, 79kg,very stable and ok to use in a bit of slop.
Highly recommended if used mainly in rivers and occasionly in the sea on calm days. If just for the sea go for a 3.75 Quintrex Dart, better in waves but not as stable to move around in or get in an out of.
Cheers Lyndon

Now is the only time you own
Decide now what you will,
Place faith not in tomorrow
For the clock may then be still

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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 20:07

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 20:07

Opps, mean't to say we use a Custom Boat Loader,as advertised in this site.
It has good and bad points.
The bad points are mainly our personal experiences with the loader, hence why i have yet to post,as i wish to make it fair.
I will post an article on EO about our experiences with the loader in due course.
If you would like to talk to me about this feel free to call me.
Lyndon 0408 068 156

Now is the only time you own
Decide now what you will,
Place faith not in tomorrow
For the clock may then be still

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FollowupID: 602515

Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 20:30

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 20:30

Lyndon,

What The!!!
Stessl are no more???

I have a 3.4m Stessl Edgetracker. Good boat. Rated for a 15 HP outboard which pushes the boat along at 40 knots.
I don't carry the boat on the Jack though as the Camper Trailer has a boat rack. When we get to our destination, I manouver the boat either with a pair of clamp on wheels (mixed sucess) or the foldable boat trailer.

Interestly, I tried to get a couple of replacement Stessl transfers a couple of years ago as the originals had disintegrated with UV rays.

Now I may be able to "trick the boat up" with some Mako stickers instead:-))

Bill

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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FollowupID: 602519

Follow Up By: Member - Scrubcat (VIC) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 20:59

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 20:59

I looked at car toppers for the same reason, the most suitable I found for me was the Quintrex Traveller 370.
There are no hand rails or other protrusions above the Gunwales which make sliding it onto the pack rack much easier.
Just Google Quintrex for details.
Scrubby.

FollowupID: 602522

Follow Up By: Member - Scrubcat (VIC) - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 21:01

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 21:01

OOPS .
Meant to do a Post Reply, not a Follow UP.

Scrubby.

FollowupID: 602524

Follow Up By: Member- Tony C - Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 22:12

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 at 22:12

A couple of good Cod you have there Scrubby.If you dont mind me asking how much did the one with the cap weigh?
Roll on Cod opening.

Cheers.
Tony

FollowupID: 602541

Follow Up By: Seakarvan - Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:11

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 09:11

Thanks guys for the car topper advice. All taken on board. Talking to the old mate in FNQ and he reckons a 12 footer (375) with a 15hp two stroke is about right. However he likes high sides which gives a dryer boat as well as a bit of tin between him and the Lizards.
I have found the Horizon at 1.0 metre depth and the old Dehavilland close to the money. Unfortunately, the Quinnies are too dear.
So I think I'm near the mark but if a cheap, sound unpainted hull shows up I'll grab it and stick a 15 Yamaha oil burner on the stern.

Thanks for the help.

Seakarvan

FollowupID: 602598

Follow Up By: Goona - Thursday, Nov 13, 2008 at 00:22

Thursday, Nov 13, 2008 at 00:22

I'm with Lyndon having had both of the boats he as mentioned. If you are going offshore I would go the Dart but if mainly in rivers then I would go the Make 375. I would also go the Yamaha 15 hp for both as I have a Johnson and the thing is a disprin.

Goona

FollowupID: 602709

Reply By: Member - Barnesy - Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 03:16

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 03:16

My 350 Stacer seasprite goes well. You'd be surprised the amount of chop it can handle if you get caught when the wind picks up. It's not as stable on rivers though as it does have a deep V for a small tinny.

The 15hp Yamaha 2 stroke pushes it along at a good pace. It's better with 2 people in it otherwise the nose of the boat lifts with only one and you can't see where you are going!

Barnesy

AnswerID: 334792

Reply By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 03:47

Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 at 03:47

Have you looked at Porta Bote?

We have one and realy like it (you can see it on the roof in my rig pic below) and there are a couple of photos on my profile.

We have a 3.3 Hp 2 stroke and it will plane one up. With two of us it just doesn't make it onto the step so we would ge a 5 hp next time.

Cheers

Pete

AnswerID: 334793