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

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.............

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

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