Roofrackable boat

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m336fnr

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Hi

I've got a 35 hp outboard motor. I'd like to buy a secondhand boat that I can put on a roof rack. Can anyone recommend a boat. I'd prefer something with a fibreglass or aluminium hull but an inflatable isn't out of the question. We only really want it for having a bit of fun when we go away in the caravan. Finding the whole thing a bit of a minefield though so any help would be much appreciated.
 
I would suggest a small rib (Williams or Honwave), or inflatable with a Vee hull. Any "proper" boat will be too big and heavy to put on a roof rack. Note that few roof racks will be rated above 75 kg.
 
I think you're unlikely to find a roof rackable boat that will take a 35hp outboard. If you're willing to consider a smaller outboard, then you could look at the lightweight RIBS with folding transom. They come in a bag the size of a very wide windsurfer, and can be manhandled on and off the roof rack OK. Various makes available.
 
m336fnr said:
Hi

I've got a 35 hp outboard motor. I'd like to buy a secondhand boat that I can put on a roof rack. Can anyone recommend a boat. I'd prefer something with a fibreglass or aluminium hull but an inflatable isn't out of the question. We only really want it for having a bit of fun when we go away in the caravan. Finding the whole thing a bit of a minefield though so any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Have a good look at one of these http://www.zapcat-racing.com/Sales/tabid/91/Default.aspx

weight 75kgs and faster than .........................
 
Check what max weight the car roof will take.

Determine what weight you can lift onto the car roof ... wives can barely lift their arms above their heads let alone a boat!

Confine your searches to boats below the lesser of these two. You'll be lucky if anything larger than a 10ft RIB satisfies those criteria.

Check the maximum size engine that the boat can take . Not likely to be more than 15 hp, 20 if you are lucky

Trade your 35 hp in for the largest size your boat can take. Don't forget to get the correct shaft length for the transom height.

If you exceed the manufacturers max recommendation your insurance will be invalidated!

You may be able to consider a larger boat by carrying an inflatable deflated in the caravan.

This is just about the maximum I can get onto a car roof rack ( by the way the bigger the car the more difficult it is to lift up there) It takes a 2hp outboard.

17a298bd.jpg
 
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m336fnr said:
Hi

I've got a 35 hp outboard motor. I'd like to buy a secondhand boat that I can put on a roof rack. Can anyone recommend a boat. I'd prefer something with a fibreglass or aluminium hull but an inflatable isn't out of the question. We only really want it for having a bit of fun when we go away in the caravan. Finding the whole thing a bit of a minefield though so any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

You'd be better off getting rid of the engine and buying a 3m ish inflatable with a 6-8 HP engine.

Your engine is going to weigh something in the region of 65-70kg (depending on year, model, etc).
 
our very first boat was a Zodiac Futura Mark III.
This is a inflatable boat, but with a inflatable keel, that really works well,
when inflated it has a really good shape (have a look at drawings of the hull on the net) It has a modular alluminium floor.
I remember that the previouis owner putted this boad folded together on the roof rack, and the outboard (50hp) in the car trunk. (4x4), travelling with a caravan. We had the boat on the trailer.
I can assure you that we had a lot of fun with this boat, with our four young children and their friends....
waterskiing, toys, etc...

I know a friend who has a slightly smaller version Futura Mark II, with a 35HP engine.
 
anything thats small / light enough to go on a car roof is not gonna be man enough to take a 35HP, it will end in disaster and could cause horrible accident, overturned boats and outboard propellers are a nasty combination.
I heard a horror story when buying a rib from flatacraft of a poor little child who's head was seriously injured by a o/b prop caused by similar scenario, i wont go into detail but it was horrible!!

please dont do it!
 
boatmaster said:
anything thats small / light enough to go on a car roof is not gonna be man enough to take a 35HP, it will end in disaster and could cause horrible accident, overturned boats and outboard propellers are a nasty combination.
I heard a horror story when buying a rib from flatacraft of a poor little child who's head was seriously injured by a o/b prop caused by similar scenario, i wont go into detail but it was horrible!!

please dont do it!
Click to expand...

would like to add, The accident i refer to didnt happen in a Flatacraft rib
 
zap cat will take a 35hp with ease and if he wants family type boat he could fit a prop guard the same as the racers do,the zap cat will only go as fast as the throttle is opened ;)
 
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