car topper, trailer, or don't bother

[newhue]

Hi guys, got this idea of a tinny going round and round so I thought I'd put it out there for some feedback. I have really happy memories on my old mans 4.5m, and though I'd like to do the same with my son.

Initially thought a 3.5m car topper on the 130 would be nice. Potential Cape trip on the cards, do a bit of camping next to boat-able water. Thought a little hand winch on the bbar and some pulleys to get it up top.

Then I thought I'll probably use it more around Brisbane area. So maybe a 4m on a trailer would be easier. I have the room to house it, and I could also solve the kids bike transport issues at times by using the boat to cart all the junk on various trips where appropriate.

Then I came to, is around Brisbane fished out. Even though a day on the water can be fun, would just fishing off the bank or the beach be good enough. What is a fair usage to justify the expanse of rego each year.

so you can see all first world problems. I'd like to hear people's stories of weather they use their tinny enough to justify owning one. And trailers V car topper. There has to be some not so obvious + and -

cheers

[Chenz]

I went to the Sydney Boat Show last week with the same thoughts in mind. I saw a boat there which is 3.7 metres long and fold up into a bag the size of a surfboard. I have attached a link which shows what it looks like.

Quickboat foldable boat: From roof rack to water in 60 seconds (http://www.gizmag.com/quickboat-foldable-boat/28397/)

The price was about $4,500 and it can have a 10hp outboard put on it and push three people at 15 knots. the guy there put it together in under a minute and a half. It is not heavy and I could lift it by myelf.

One person can lift it up and off the roofracks. The seams are Kevlar and the sides are high density foam and gelcoat which is as strong as all get go.

For the price and convenience it seems to tick all the boxes for touring into the never never and leaves a lot more room on the racks for the rest of the stuff you want to take.

[weeds]

watch out for the crocs.............:p

if you go with a trailer and want to run a full land rover axle i can point you in the right direction

[JamesB71]

I've got a tinny, but to be honest my canoes get far more work. I just prefer the dip of the paddle and the way you are tied into the environment rather than bringing engine noise into the beautiful places I go.

"A motors noise stills the voices of the wilderness".

[newhue]

JamesB17,
I have a canoe but it's only a 14fter. Serenity I hear you say. With a 4 and 6 year old forget about that stuff. I know what you mean but for the current prepossess, and willing participants, a motor is best.

Chenz,
That looks good. However I think by the time a motor, anchor, and what not is bought it will be heading towards 7K. Nice and light I have to say. I like that part.
I am currently looking at a 3.5 Clark with an 08 Merc 8hp on a heavy duty trailer with fuel tank, ores, anchor, life jackets for 2K. All in VGC. Boat weight is around 70kg however, and the donk is 26.
As a roof top tourer it's another 125kg with paraphernalia more or less. Not sure if I'm happy with that as the car is already at GVM for a good trip.

Given that I have no idea if my boat will become like many others, and just sit in the yard for most of the year, the low buy price is worth considering.

[Ranga]

I sold my tinny before going on my big trip, and have no intention of buying another.

There's an old saying that boat stands for "bring on another thousand", but a small tinny isn't that bad.

My reasons for selling and not reacquiring are as follows:

they tend to sit in the front yard a lot
ongoing yearly registration (if big enough to require it
ongoing insurance
ongoing maintenance
lack of bountiful fishing gorunds, unless you're very committed and have plenty of time/enthusiasm
I hate towing things - extra cost and hassle
Mate's who have done it have sworn they'll never tow a boat off-road for long distances, as the trailers just aren't designed for it
A roof topper increases centre of gravity, wind resistance, cost, GVM and manual labour
I'd rather something more serene and less costly like a canoe


I'm sure I'll think of other things to add to the list.

Having said that, I do agree with Rat from Wind in the Willows, "Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING -absolute nothing -half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

I took a portabote (similar to the Quickboat) with me on the big trip. Interestingly, it felt more stable than my tinny! I ended up selling it in Victoria due to lack of use and time to set up and pack up. However, I reckon I'd own one of them before a tinny if I intend to take it touring.

Maybe it's time to get a bigger canoe?

[Chops]

I've had my tinnie (3.85, on a trailer) for years now, I think in the last 5 years I've been down in Melb, I've used it twice, once to get it sorted after stripping and painting it (5 years ago), and the other to pretty much do the same after I cleaned it, about 12 months later.
When I was in Albury, I was on the water probably every third weekend, both river and dam. But now, with what would be considered I guess to be in a better position for more water, its just not happening.
This boat is supposed to go around Aus with us when we go, but the way its not happening now, me thinks land base, or hire a boat for the day might be a better option.

I have all the best intensions of getting to use it soon, but as like most things, life seems to get in the way, so we'll see.

So, if its something you can afford, and justify cost wise, then I'd say get the boat/trailer, and with two junior's, its a fairly safe option too.

[newhue]

Thanks Chops and Ranga. Honestly I can't see myself using it more than half a dozen times a year really. And the more I think it's only a two maybe three year thing before I'm hoping we venture into Canoes, and eventually sea kayaks if all goes anything like the dream.

The trouble with Canoes at present for me, is the wife wont power one on her own. Even if it is a 14ft with 1 child. And two kids and one adult in a 14 or 16 is had work if no ones up front paddling. 4 in a 16ft is a squeeze with a bit of kit. And two canoes are perhaps more comparson than a tinny to transport.

I have a mate who has a camper trailer and is always chatting to anybody who tows things. His spin on it from an around Aus trip. Was almost everyone with a van and car topper wished they left the tinny at home. Just don't seem to get the time or enthusiasm together. In reality I think I'd have to subscribe to that view if I were honest with myself.

I'm moving on from series ownership, and the smile my kids get from a noisy wind in the hair lap around the block is priceless. I think somehow that will be the decider with the boat. Out on the water early morning, bit of fishing, an island stop for lunch, smell of a two stroke, and the wind in the hair as we put around the place.

what do ya reckon....talked myself into it

[Ranga]

Thanks Chops and Ranga. Honestly I can't see myself using it more than half a dozen times a year really. And the more I think it's only a two maybe three year thing before I'm hoping we venture into Canoes, and eventually sea kayaks if all goes anything like the dream.

The trouble with Canoes at present for me, is the wife wont power one on her own. Even if it is a 14ft with 1 child. And two kids and one adult in a 14 or 16 is had work if no ones up front paddling. 4 in a 16ft is a squeeze with a bit of kit. And two canoes are perhaps more comparson than a tinny to transport.

I have a mate who has a camper trailer and is always chatting to anybody who tows things. His spin on it from an around Aus trip. Was almost everyone with a van and car topper wished they left the tinny at home. Just don't seem to get the time or enthusiasm together. In reality I think I'd have to subscribe to that view if I were honest with myself.

I'm moving on from series ownership, and the smile my kids get from a noisy wind in the hair lap around the block is priceless. I think somehow that will be the decider with the boat. Out on the water early morning, bit of fishing, an island stop for lunch, smell of a two stroke, and the wind in the hair as we put around the place.

what do ya reckon....talked myself into it
Get a decent 2nd hand job and see how you go. You can always sell it if it doesn't work out.

Stay under 6hp and you don't need a license. Under 4hp and you don't need rego. Do both of those things, and you're probably better off in the canoe :p

I took the family up to Lake Cootharaba over NYE, and we all fit in Weeds' canoe pretty well. I reckon we could possibly go with that until they were big enough for double kayaks or 2 canoes.

Honestly, the portabote was better than I thought it would be, and very light and portable. I'd recommend them!

[weeds]

You can borrow my canoe anytime, I haven't used it in years......it's a heavy duty job

[roverrescue]

I guess I am different and live in a place to appreciate that difference.
Depending on circumstance I have four different boats to choose from.
Tandem axle down to roof topper.

I would never go exploring this great land without a boat.

I am one of these people that cant understand why anyone would tow something that ISNT a boat!

Interestingly I have a bit of a penchant for making offroad boat trailers that do not cause problems like the usual boat trailer you come across!

One day when I stop building trailers and repairing them for others Ill make one for me that has the tinnie and motor well supported and mounts for the roof top tent up over the front deck.

But anyways - horses for courses. Im sure If I lived in the big smoke I wouldnt have so many rigs?

S

[Chops]

Speaking of keeping things "under powered", one of those fold up boats could be handy. If you were to power it, or even a small car topper, with one of those Water Snake electric motors, you could use your duel battery setup to charge a third battery for the boat. They're not fast, but good enough to get you about for a troll in quiet waterways and rivers that aren't too fast flowing.
Another option for you could be an inflatable boat. Cant remember what they call them (generic name eludes me), but they can be small, light, you have on board air to blow them up.

[newhue]

I guess I am different and live in a place to appreciate that difference.
Depending on circumstance I have four different boats to choose from.
Tandem axle down to roof topper.

I would never go exploring this great land without a boat.

I am one of these people that cant understand why anyone would tow something that ISNT a boat!

Interestingly I have a bit of a penchant for making offroad boat trailers that do not cause problems like the usual boat trailer you come across!

One day when I stop building trailers and repairing them for others Ill make one for me that has the tinnie and motor well supported and mounts for the roof top tent up over the front deck.

But anyways - horses for courses. Im sure If I lived in the big smoke I wouldnt have so many rigs?

S

Funny you say that. This boat is on a trailer that is for a bigger or heavier boat. Originally the show was designed with a jack off type camper trailer tent set up over the boat.

What type of grief does the typical boat trailer give you.
Would you drag one to Cape Melville or is that unreasonable. Given it only weighs 250kg or so you possibly could forget its there.

[newhue]

Speaking of keeping things "under powered", one of those fold up boats could be handy. If you were to power it, or even a small car topper, with one of those Water Snake electric motors, you could use your duel battery setup to charge a third battery for the boat. They're not fast, but good enough to get you about for a troll in quiet waterways and rivers that aren't too fast flowing.
Another option for you could be an inflatable boat. Cant remember what they call them (generic name eludes me), but they can be small, light, you have on board air to blow them up.

I do have an option of swapping my 14ft canadian for a 16. Perhaps then an out rigger and an electric motor could be worth considering.

[harlie]

Hi Jason, I can probably add some info. I have 2 kids, 4 & 6 (seems like yesterday I answered your camping with kids thread and they were 1 & 3), Like Rescue, I have access to multiple boating situations, this is our experience so far.

10m Sailing Cat – too slow for kids, they get bored and just want to get to the beach. Adults love the relaxing quite, level experience, we've been for trips of 6 weeks up the outer reef, but the kids were younger (or not here) then. The cruising life is adictive but kids between 2 and 16 don't cope with the serenity... It's sold, when they are on their own I will get another.

7m Plate power boat. Its great to get up Fraser / Moreton or outside for some decent fishing, but for kids the day is long, they loose interest fast no mater how good the fishing is, and for them, nothing beats the beach, we can get to some good reefs for ½ day then head back to the beach for lunch, swim and burn off energy. I clean the fish while they play on the beach. Big advantage of this is there are bunks, they can have a snooze or watch a movie when they run out of gas. The fuel bill is just stupid even with a Honda.

4.1m tinnie & 30hp around Brisbane. Kids love to get out on the water no mater what you do, it feels fast, they get wet (sometimes) and gives them something different for a few hours, in this regard it is priceless. Fishing around BNE is crap, crabs are back but the big issue is a boat of this size really restricts you in and around BNE, I can take them over to Peal, on a good day but usually it is confined to the rivers, island passages and creeks for muddies (which is fun for all – short day). Around BNE the tinnie is usually only out for 1-3hrs, in this regard it is good, we have fun and still have most of the day to do something else. I have fished Harry Atkinson solo several times on a good night using just over 5L of fuel. However, kids and mum get cold, which provides limits. 30 hp is big enough for tubing and my 14yo niece can wake board behind it.

4.1m tinnie camping/travelling. There is a thread on here somewhere where I detailed a camper build and expanded to carry the 4.1 (I got **** canned for it…) right way up so all the gear can stay inside – there is a lot of gear to carry for a boat. What we found was that it takes a lot of energy. Set up the folding trailer, get it off before setting up camp ect ect & quickly came to the conclusion that my energy levels make it only suitable for stays of week +, I couldn’t do it for a long trip. The issue would be compounded with a cartopper, admitidly you wouldn’t need to unload it to camp, but the boat set up would be a bugger, with the boat upside down, you need to set everything up everytime you want to use it, so I can see how plp report they wish they left it at home. In saying this, having a boat at camp is great, and your setup would remove my issues - boat just sits on its own trailer. As rescue says, standard trailer are crap, far too light.

3.6 Tinnie & 15. My dad still has his old 12 footer that I grew up with – it was purchased new in 1964! Being an older design, IMO it is better that the new ones (why he still has it), it is not as wide and has a sharper entry and moderate V to the transome - not flat like the new tinnies. It’s been welded a few times (by me) and now has a nice Honda. A boat in this size is great for creeks and protected bays, and I would go as far in saying it’s more useable than the 4.1. It is exactly half the weight, which means no where near as seaworthy but that also means you stay well in shelter. (no surf launching like the 4.1). It is limited in how many can go (2+2 littlies is fine) and it is nowhere near as stable – sit down! It’s easier to handle at camp, easier to transport (right way up of course), and still allows crabbing, and drifting across shallows for flathead, whiting, bream. Actually I will have the kids out in it this weekend.

Sailing - Hobie 16. Its fast, exciting and very very wet, in 20kn you are on the edge. We have recorded 22kns of boat speed in 20kn wind. I like to sail, it gets you thinking, our 6yo loves it, it’s a buzz even for us "adults", 8 inches above the water - slide out on trapeze, sheet in and hang on as the hull you’re standing on lifts clear of the water, while you keep the bow of the other hull precariously above the surface!! We all know what happens when that fine line is crossed – we laugh, stand it up and "lets do it again dad!". Physically, it’s a fair workout too. Daughter is enrolled for sailing lessons this coming summer; 4yo is too young to safely hang on at this stage but gets a slow ride in light wind or reduced sail. Can’t use it around BNE unless member of a club? Rigging is a pita, take it to somewhere like Boreen pt or Wivenhoe dam, rig it on the first day leave it on the beach beside camp. It opens up the variety of experiences for kids on the water, a hobbie demonstrates the excitment sailing can provide, they now have the exposure and option of choosing (dingy sailing) as a sport - its a sport that makes kids think and teaches independence and decision making that IMO not many sports do.

My neighbour has just purchased a carbon fibre Canadian Canoe (16kg!!) with an outrigger + elec motor, so we have started experimenting with it now too, thoughts from 1st outing, painfull setup at ramp, and limited in what you can do compared to the 3.6 - there's not much you could do in the canoe that you couldn't in 3.6, but there's lots you can do in 3.6 that can't with the canoe. Only real advantage I can see is no rego but small boats and trailer don't cost much.

[roverrescue]

Harlie has given a great response... specific to brissie too.
But to answer your question
What type of grief does the typical boat trailer give you.

Essentially overloaded on really junky alko type running gear usually ends badly for boat trailers.

Springs even their "offroad" rebound springs are way too short and ride too harshly. This loads up the chassis which are generally under specced with no gussets. This leads to chassis cracks and hull damage.

One off trips are usually no bother but if you intended taking a boat along broken roads regularly there a few important considerations that are needed.

S

[newhue]

Champion response Harlie, well done. Thanks.

I think you have solved my problem really. Half a day, visit a few close islands, get a bit wet and have some fun is about all the kids will want.
The attention span, or desire for mum will limit it to about that anyway. But sitting on the sand on the surf side of the northern tip of south straddie should keep them interested for a bit.

Perhaps a nice thing about a tinny, if you buy at the right price it's easy to resell and break even again or close too.
I think in time as the kids get older we might sell up for a second 14ft Canadian. I can tell you a multi day trip down an inland river is a nice way to pass your time.

Thanks

[LandyAndy]

As a newish boat owner living 200km from the ocean.
I just dont use the boat enough.Partly because I was paying it off,the rest is the distance from H20.
I now own it outrite and are looking forward to being able to have a fish.
For a lesser outlay look into those Hobbie miracle drive yaks,a mate bought 2 and sold his boat.He and the good lady paddle around together and have a great time.
Andrew

[cjc_td5]

...What type of grief does the typical boat trailer give you.
.

Boat trailers are generally only designed to carry the boat only, on good roads. Trouble is that the boat is shaped like a bowl and people fill them with gear when they go away on holidays. When combined with a rough road, you get this...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=63984&stc=1&d=1376051869

Not a fun way to end a holiday...

[newhue]

:eek: looks like a bad day fishing.....if there ever is one. Your right though. The trailer frames for smaller boats look like they are made from matchsticks. You look like a shackle has let go. Be an eye opening experience noticing the boat dancing behind the car.

You often see a boat on the side of the road with a missing wheel. I guess it needs considering a 12 months spring grease and bearing re pack or re place is mandatory minimal maintenance.

[newhue]

Well I picked up my dingy Friday. I have secured a 3.5m car topper that came with a trailer. The trailer is for a 4m boat as it seems quite well built, also has the spare with a hub attached, so perhaps will handle the riggers of Landy adventure. It came with a Mercury 8 hp light weight, so also makes sense as a car topper motor. Bit down on horses but it will do.

Ranga tells me boat stands for Bring On Another Thousand. And we'll, he could be right. I dropped the motor off at the local shop on the way home. Ol mate at the shop welcomed me to boating and asked if I had met my second wife yet as he wheeled the motor away for a service. Still good to have a starting block.

Spent today putting a new round of Timkin bearing in the trailer, and re clearing the paddles.
Got a trip to the beach around the time the motor is back from the shop, so me thinks a beach launch could be the maiden voyage. Ahh Harr me hardies...

[LandyAndy]

ENJOY.
Andrew

[harlie]

well done Jason.

If you find the 8 to be a bit sluggish, try a different propeller, a smaller pitch prop makes a big difference on small capacity engines. Solas will usually let you trial a prop so you're not out of pocket if it's still not good enough.

There is a big weight difference once you go bigger than the 8 light.

[Deancantfish]

Hi guys, being a mad fisho, that doesn't eat fish, and a mad ummm, mad person, I have had just about every sort of tragedy that floats.
I have had tinnys, wooden boats that were small, wooden boats that were big, the same with fibreglass.,,, I now have finally come to my senses and own a ...ummmm...largeish fibreglass boat...ok...forget that I can be sensible.
The bestest fun I had on the water with my friends and kids was with a thing called a coleman scanoe...there are other names for them, maybe old town or something like that.
They are light, wide and stable... I believe they are rated to 3.5 hp outboard.
Mine had a ummm 15hp ported polished bathtub racing outboard which in my maths was 3.5hp.
I fished 5 miles offshore(ran out of bravery, was heading to the banks off shoalhaven heads)... have fished in NSW QLD and VIC with it, my kids had the best fun sans motor. I fished the Noosa river extensively and had a ball, and to top it off it cost 1100 bucks secondhand.
If I saw one I would buy one again without thinking.
Have a squiz online at them, they are something different and fun.
Dean

[newhue]

well it seems a good time to buy a boat, the boat show is upon us in Brisbane.

Looking for some advice on perhaps some pretty simple stuff, but I know very little about boats.

Rod hoders, are $30 stainless steel ones that much better than $3.50 pvc ones.
I'd like to put two in the rear corner gussets of the stern.

Is a water filter required with portable plastic fuel tanks. I guess at $10 it's cheap insurance if it works.

bimini's, I'm looking at a 4 hoop 2.2m one that will basically cover most of the open are of the boat. I keep thinking of kids comfit first, so hopefully they will keep coming. But is that too big? Does it become a PITA for using a rod. The 3 hoop at 1.80m seems to cover the driver and the mid floor of the boat, so in my mind not so great for a people using the front seat.

How far or hours do you think a 12lt tank will get me with a 8hp. Lets work on full noise. Some guy told me that's piddly, but he had a 200 that uses 1lt per mile. :eek:

also looking at a boat cover for the new transport requirements for open loads.
Spare bungs, a fire extinguisher perhaps, and some mesh storage slings that hang on the side. A fish finder will have to wait.

[weeds]

The guy that taught me to fish.....we used the tinny to get to a spot, I was never allowed to fish out of the boat

He had two small tanks.....use one running around until it runs out, you than know the second one will get you home on a straight run. That was his theory but from memory we rarely swapped over the the second tank. It was a 13 footer or there about forward steer.

If you want to play with a fish finder I have one siting on my desk at work, brand new used once. Will organise to drop it over

[harlie]

well it seems a good time to buy a boat, the boat show is upon us in Brisbane.

Looking for some advice on perhaps some pretty simple stuff, but I know very little about boats.

Rod hoders, are $30 stainless steel ones that much better than $3.50 pvc ones.
I'd like to put two in the rear corner gussets of the stern.

Is a water filter required with portable plastic fuel tanks. I guess at $10 it's cheap insurance if it works.

bimini's, I'm looking at a 4 hoop 2.2m one that will basically cover most of the open are of the boat. I keep thinking of kids comfit first, so hopefully they will keep coming. But is that too big? Does it become a PITA for using a rod. The 3 hoop at 1.80m seems to cover the driver and the mid floor of the boat, so in my mind not so great for a people using the front seat.

How far or hours do you think a 12lt tank will get me with a 8hp. Lets work on full noise. Some guy told me that's piddly, but he had a 200 that uses 1lt per mile. :eek:

also looking at a boat cover for the new transport requirements for open loads.
Spare bungs, a fire extinguisher perhaps, and some mesh storage slings that hang on the side. A fish finder will have to wait.

Plastic rod holder are fine unless you have a 7' rod with 50lb braid and something big runs off while the drag is set too high, they may (do) break, for what you are doing plastic is fine.

Water filter - never had one on the tinnies until I picked up a load of water from the 98 browser in manly, now all our boats have them.

Beware the cheap whittworths/BIAS Bimini kits, they are cheap. A few mods make them usable...

During the boat show (brisbane & sanctuary cove) BIAS & Whittworths run 15% off everything in store, they do it each boat show, so this weekend, and plan in future - save your big list...

12L big enough? depends on what you want to do. Our old catamaran had a pair of 9.9HT yamahas (4 stroke). At full throttle (which they spent all their life) they used 2.7L/hr. From experience of changing from 2 stroke to 4 stroke on the 7m platey, the same hp on the same hull with same load and operator, there is a 50% difference (31L/hr-21L/hr) So at a guess, add 50% minus 20% for the 2hp missing. 2.7 x 1.5 x 0.8 = 3.24L/hr. IMO this would be a good safety as 2 vs 4 stroke consumption is closer at wide open throttle, our 50% is at the 2 engines sweet spot - the best we could get from each. That's 3-3.5hr of flat chat running. 12L lasts several outings @ camp in the 3.6&15 honda running pots and drifting for fish.

[newhue]

thanks Harlie,
I was looking at a Wittworths bimini, and yes aware of the sale this weekend. Will go for a snoop around BIAS and see what's going.
The 4 hoop is $299, cheap and cheerful is it, kind of fitted the budget with 15% off. If I knew someone with an industrial sewing machine I recon I could make a much sturdier for half. You may have planted a seed here mate.

Weeds, thanks very much, be good to have a play.

[Chops]

Hey Jason,, you don't need an industrial sewing machine to that type of work.
Just make sure you have the right needles for the job, a standard cheapie will do the trick.
We've made a boat cover for one of my old tinnies, using the "taught-liner" material. Did it easily.
Just go easy and take your time.

[harlie]

Agree with chops, I’ve used the wife’s sewing machine for boat hooding vinyl and it works fine, you do need UV thread or the thread will fall apart after couple years in the sun.

If you are thinking of making something really strong, I did a cover with double rolled hem & 50mm seatbelt webbing in it, the standard sewing machine needed realignment at the local service center after that and I was banned from using it. :( But the cover stands up to real punishment without issue.

The cheapo bimini kits are ok but people I know that have bought them have needed to replace some of the clips and fittings to get them to a usable state. Put them up and they found things moved (straps loosened / bows flexed) when underway and the wind get going. Not really a show stopper but keep it in mind. Lets be honest, what are you going to be doing? Your tinnie won't be getting along at 30kns, and you won't be out in strong winds?? So with a couple of mods it will be fine.

[Ranga]

I've got a boat cover for you

[newhue]

beauty Ranga, I'll take you up on that.

Lads, I caved in and bought a povo bimini at the sales. I can't sew to save my life, and didn't really want to put sewing job 10 637 back onto mum. The wife......... well, we don't even own a sewing machine. So you blokes who have wife's who do, think yourself very lucky.
I can wield a pop rivet gun however and if it needs improving I can do that.
What Harlie said about keep in mind what I'm doing was the decider.

It should be back from the welders this week, as to the motor from service. Keen to get a pic up for you.
I've added a hand rail around it for the kids. The seats are quit high I feel, an leave only 100mm of side wall until the top of the boat. I went the whole way round so it's still loads as a topper. I also noticed in the driveway my little fella likes sitting on the bow with his pirate sward. So a hand rail to grab while we do a bit of drifting is a good idea me thinks.

[newhue]

Odd sort of maiden voyage last weekend. Towed it for 5 hours to Pebbly Beach largely for the kids to play in.......next to the tent. Made the mistake of not parking it down the beach, so it was ready to go. So after setting up camp, which is heavily reliant of the car, it now meant a small pack was required to use the car for a tower.

Still managed to get it in the water and towed the kids up and down the river there for a bit. The weather or the open water wasn't the best for a novice, but I enjoyed the whole thing.

The hand rails seemed to be a hit, hope I have placed things in a practical position as it was all a bit of a rush last week to get it organised.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8454/psgw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/psgw.jpg/)
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4171/3nmg.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/3nmg.jpg/)

[newhue]

I've come to a conclusion a car topper is not for me and my set up. Given where one most likely wants to use a topper, the 150kg of boat, motor, and paraphernalia wont suit the weight distribution of the 130. Plus the realities of a top heavy 4x4 don't make for safe, predictable, or pleasant driving. So I will make the most of the heavier trailer and skull drag it around the place. Not keen on being a tower but I think overall it the lesser of two evils.

On this acceptance, and the reality of a 8hp capabilities, and some advice from the Pebbly Beach care taker, an upgrade in motor came about.
Looked at some second hand ones but with the sale of the old motor, the attractiveness of a 5 year warranty, and only another 1000, I got this spiffy 15 on now. Boy, the old dinghy goes well now. And that little reef off Pebbly Beach is well in sight.


Then an opportunity came about to acquire a sounder. Initially thought I would not require one of these. But a day out in the boat helping a mate do his job is not a hard way to cover a sounder. So again I talked myself into spending more than I should and there you go. I'm really looking forward to using this baby to jag some nice fish, and when that day happens I'm not going to care about the rush of blood I had when buying the thing. Watching the young fella's amazement trying to piece together the ocean floor underneath him while bobbing around on the top has to worth a bit as well me thinks.

Went for the Merc 15 super, which is a Tohatsu 18 with 2 more years warranty than a Tohatsu. Go figure.
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1108/6upc.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/6upc.jpg/)

Just playing with this thing in the garage, seems easy and simple to understand.
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/2544/r1kj.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/r1kj.jpg/)

[roverrescue]

of course the next step is upgrading the little 11footer to somthing bigger :-)

It is always good to have roof topper though! So dont sell the little one!

S

[LandyAndy]

Budget On Another Thousand:p:p:p:p:p:p
ENJOY
Andrew

[weeds]

Thanks for the day out Jason......... The kids really enjoyed getting out in the boat...patch is still talking about being dumped into the water

[newhue]

of course the next step is upgrading the little 11footer to somthing bigger :-)

It is always good to have roof topper though! So dont sell the little one!

Your the second person now who has said it only gets bigger from here. I joked with the wife on the weekend about a bigger boat. She wanted to get a tandem tube to pull behind the dinghy, so my reply was "we need a bigger boat".
When I added the hand rail to mine a car topper has been thought of in the process. I'm hoping the kids will have an appreciation and interest in the water so with some luck it will be around for a while yet.

S


Thanks for the day out Jason......... The kids really enjoyed getting out in the boat...patch is still talking about being dumped into the water

Thanks weeds, we had a really nice time as well, our kids were stuffed afterwards.
It's good how something so simple is a real crowd pleaser.

[newhue]

Did a bit of Cape training today, well that was the joke. Gee I love 4x4's and boats.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/1201/3lwq.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/3lwq.jpg/)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/6398/71u7.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/690/71u7.jpg/)

[LandyAndy]

Look into an extendable draw bar for launches like that.
A DIY job,a hinge and swing back to the wheel when not in use,to deploy you swing it around and pin it to the main trailer drawbar.Depending upon wheelbase it will give you around 2.4 to 3m more distance between your landy and the wet boggy stuff.Look them up you can even add a 3rd wheel so you can recover the trailer/tub at low tide with a snatch strap;););););)
Something I want to do with mine for beach launches up north.
Andrew

[weeds]

Where were you hangin out........

[newhue]

Where were you hangin out........

ohh if I told you that I've have to kill you.

Na, I was paying off my depth sounder helping a mate survey some settling ponds for a concrete mob at Brendale. No ramps, only grassy banks to launch from. Something different.

[newhue]

Look into an extendable draw bar for launches like that.
A DIY job,a hinge and swing back to the wheel when not in use,to deploy you swing it around and pin it to the main trailer drawbar.Depending upon wheelbase it will give you around 2.4 to 3m more distance between your landy and the wet boggy stuff.Look them up you can even add a 3rd wheel so you can recover the trailer/tub at low tide with a snatch strap;););););)
Something I want to do with mine for beach launches up north.
Andrew

Thanks Andy, actually on the weekend we rolled the trailer down to the water on the spare. Works a treat really.
I might look into one of those extension bars that uses a tow ball to seat itself in the trailer's hitch, and also clamps to the trailer's frame for stiffening. I don't think my trailer will work with a swing out extension. I could however mount the extension bar as a permeant accessory I guess.
Suppose I need to work out how often I am going to use it in those conditions. But the way it's looking lately if we camp any where near boat-able water it comes along.