Boat Loader Roof Rack

[brianh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brianh]

Hi all,
I'm looking to get a boat loader roof rack to carry a small tinny on top for the big trek. I have looked at the Custom Boat Loader from WA and the Rhinorack system.

The CBL looks and feels more substantial and comes with an electric winding system but of course for a lot more dollars. The Rhinorack uses a cordless drill for power but through a plastic gear box ????

The idea is to use the rack for trips, but remove it to save on wind resistance (and fuel) during the rest of the year, so I need something that is easily removed. I thought I might set up a pulley system above the car in the garage to lift off the boat and rack together.

Then comes the issue of covering up the mounting bolts. Can you buy sections of the plastic strip that fills the mounting slot?

Has anyone else got a boat loader or got any thoughts on the matter?

[plucker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close plucker]

There used to be an issue with boat loaders on vehicles with spare tyres on the back door.
If they have fixed that problem I would be interested.

[brianh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brianh]

Boat Loaders

Both of the boat loaders I have looked at actual hang out the back of the vehicle slightly so the pivot point for the boat clears the spare wheel.

They both come with an "H" bar which fits into the towbar recess, which acts as a lower pivot point when loading and unloading.

[brianh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brianh]

I finally bit the bullet and bought the Custom Boat Loader, together with a 3.4 Savage Jabiru tinny with an 8hp Merc.

I had it fitted last week and it looks good and operates well. I chose the smaller boat and motor to keep the weight down, but, if anything, it looks a little small on the roof. Just something to get used to I suppose.

As the unit overhangs the back to clear the spare wheel, the nose only projects over the windscreen by a few hundred mm. You cannot see the boat from the driving position. A 3.7 m boat wouldn't look out of place, but this would be wider and heavier and need a bigger motor.

The package is "bloody expensive" but will enable me to travel and fish on my own, long into retirement when I will no longer be able to handle loading and unloading of a heavy boat.

[George_M Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close George_M]

Brian

Have you got any photos we could have a look at?

[brianh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brianh]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

Here are some photos of the boat loader in action. I am sorry it has taken so long to upload them.

The car and boat ready to travel. I use an additional strap for safety, but the boat is held in place by the four ropes and it is legal to travel without the extra strap. - Belt and Braces!!!!


Loading/unloading is hands free with electric winch and remote control. Boat pivots over rear pivot bar on roof rack.


There is a pivot plate which you fit into the tow bar socket for the boat to rotate against.


The car can be backed up to the water's edge. Simply unhook the four hooks and you are away. Note the light aluminium pivot plate in the tow bar socket.


Hook the ropes together and rewind for traveling without the boat. The roof rack has a mesh base for carrying loads, simply locate the load so that the boat drops on over the top and high boxes fit between the boat seats.


The car without the boat. I haven't noticed any whistling or significant increase in fuel consumption, but I plan to remove the rack in the off season.

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

Hi Brainh,
Very impressive setup well done.

[navy1430 Member Find all posts View Profile Close navy1430]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

Hi Brainh,
as you said that you plan to remove the rack in the off season. What happens to the mounting points? did they give you blanks that go in the holes or do you have to come up with your own solutions..

I am looking at a simiar setup but as you said it does cost a fortune..!!!!

[plucker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close plucker]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

Hi Brianh,
My concern is what to do with the motor and fuel.
How do you manage that?

[Spurio Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Spurio]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

That looks like it is some thing my wife could use when i leave the pub

With all straps tight how much movement do you get bouncing along a normal 4wd track?

It looks like a good setup for getting into some of the trout country

Looks like you'll be having fun for a while

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

The Rhinorack uses a cordless drill for power but through a plastic gear box ????

Saw one of these at a motor show, how stupid!?!?

"Jeez it is good to finally get to our fantastic out of the way once a year visited fishing spot. Lets get the boat off the top and get amongst them.............................FAAAAAAAAAAARRRRR RRRRRKKKKIIIIINNG cordless has gone flat!!!!"

[brianh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brianh]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

When the rack is removed, you are left with six stainless steel angles bolted to the roof at the original mounting points. They could be left as is as they are parallel to the car and would not effect air flow, or they could be unbolted and the bolts sit low in the groove so are not seen from ground level. The guys who did the fitting have put in plenty of silicon to make them water proof so they can be just left. It may be possible to pick up some of the black plastic infill from a wreckers if you are really concerned.

The fuel tank can be carried on the rack and the motor goes inside on top of the rear draw unit. I will have to lay down the back seat to give enough room when I have the fridge in as well.

With the boat loaded on and teh winch tightened up, there is no movement of the boat at all. What would happen in an emergency stop is another question, so that is why I added the exra tie-down strap. There is provision for another strap on the middle bar as well.

I am taking it away to the high country, (Khancoban) at Christmas, so I will know more about any problems then.

[navy1430 Member Find all posts View Profile Close navy1430]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

thanks brianh

[fishnut Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishnut]

Re: Boat Loader Roof Rack

thanks for the pics brian. It's a nice set up. I saw one on a pootrol the other day and was wondering how it worked.

enjoy the fishin'