Car-top canoe or boat?

[KachFam]

I'm looking into getting some type of boat for camping this season. We just go to too many great waterfront places no too! What kind of setup does everyone have for getting on the water (and getting it there with your RV). I have a pickup with a canopy. Does anyone haul a canoe using the thick foam blocks with the ends tied down? I might eventually get a Thule/Yakima rack system, but that's a fair amount of start-up cost...

Ideally, I'd like to get a Porta-bote. They are awesome, but quite pricey! I might have to live with a canoe or lightweight boat for the meantime.

[clubhouse]

We have a inflatable kayak from West Marine. It's heavy duty and works for us. It stores under the bed.

[Jagiven]

I too am looking for a roof rack to haul my canoes this summer. Our canoes have stayed home since buying our HTT. I have used foam pads in the past until an incident on a very windy day and I lost the pads when the canoe flexed when a semi passed me.

[Livinglife2]

We both get to drive when we take the boat boats too big to tow behind 5th wheel, other wise it's cheaper to rent a boat on long trips from home.

[Flyrotor]

I have 3 kayaks I carry on my truck, previously on a Suburban I carried all three using the Thule rack system. I converted the rack system to work for my truck using a commercial ladder rack for the bed of my truck, I mount it using bolts with quick mounts, only takes about 20 minutes to install or remove the entire rack system. I bought the ladder racks for less than $100 on the internet, and already had the Thule system.

The Thule system can become expensive, over the years I have bought components as I have needed them, so overall, there hasn't been a big out of pocket expense all at once, but if you are just starting your investment it can be costly.

Getting a good rack system is similar to paying extra for a good WDH and sway bars, yes you can get by without them, but having them makes it safer and protects your equipment, both the kayaks and truck. It's just smarter.

[KachFam]

I found a good deal on a used Porta-bote and motor today - not much more than some of the kayaks and canoes I'd been looking at. I'm thinking I'll get a Yakima rack for my canopy and keep the boat up there - I can use the same setup when we're not RV'ing. I like that I would have a rack available for a future Kayak as well. I might look into an inflatable kayak too - that's a good idea that I didn't think of.

[Camper_bob]

I'm thinking I'm going to use the commercial ladder rack with the foam blocks. Very interested to hear what everyone else uses...

While an inflatable boat sounds like a fantastic idea, we already have the canoe. So I couldn't see buying another boat.

[norty1]

We use a Yakima system. It works well.

[eldermike]

We have a Thule (ladder type rack) on the pickup bed side rails. I carry 2 kayaks (1, 12 foot and 1, 14 footer) up top and bicycles under, sitting in the bed.

[Skyron]

We have Thule Hulavator and carry a 17 foot sea kayak and also the thick foam blocks for a second kayak if needed.
The Hulavator is a bit expensive but sure saves lifting the kayak onto the roof of our 4Runner suv.
Ron

[KachFam]

Forgot to mention I have a canopy on my truck...

The boat actually came with a cool yakima loader gadget - I just would need to install some crossbars on the canopy (some came with the boat as well, but they are "universal style" and not something I would put on my truck. The boat loader has a big roller across the back that you could slide side to side if you had 2 kayaks.

[tjpolsin]

Look at a used Kepler or Folbot folding boat. Then you won't need a roof rack.
Tim

[Tail_gunner]

I wish Michigan would allow double trailer towing. (As is you can only tow behind a 5th wheel, not a TT.)
If we want to take the boat, have to take two vehicles.

Me and my boat.

[RickAE]

This is how we carry our Kayaks. Yakama roof racks. The blue noodle you see stopped the howling noise. I replaced it with the Yakama deflector.

[dewey02]

Porta bote is a great boat for RVing. It unfolds to a full sized boat.
https://www.portaboteme.com
They fold to about 4 inches deep and come in 8, 10, 12 and 14 foot lengths. The 10 and 12 footers are probably best, as the 14 footer gets pretty heavy and hard to handle. I can actually lift the folded 12 footer by myself, but having two people makes it easier.


They have mounts to mount on the side of your travel trailer. We did this three years ago and have had no problems. The total width of the TT plus the folded boat is still under the legal width limit. Some people also mount underneath the trailer, and some put on top of their tow vehicle.

We take ours everwhere we go, and enjoy fishing and boating nearly everywhere we camp. A small 35 lb thrust trolling motor is all that's needed to propel us around.

I have posted photos and detailed instructions for side mounting on this forum. If you Read the entire 2 page thread you will find the detailed instructions.
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7457

[exjay1]

I flip our 10' Yak upside down and secure it to the roof racks on the Envoy, no probs except opening the rear hatch when its on there.