What's a Good Car-Topper Boat

Larry J

Larry J

Active member
I've been wanting to add a car-topper boat to my arsenal for those spots where a trailered boat won't fit or where a ramp isn't available. I figured someone on here must be using one, but haven't seen any posts or pics about them.

Here's what I'm looking for:

- A boat light enough for one person to load/unload alone without blowing out their back.
- A boat that can handle a variety waters, from small rocky streams, salt marshes, reserviors and even small bays on calm days.
- A boat that can support a small motor; 2-5hp or, worst-case, a trolling motor. (Paddle-power as sole-source is out of the question.)
- A boat that's stable under power and doesn't ride with it's bow stuck up in the air like many canoes do.

I've looked into some including the Otter, Gheenoe, Mokai, Porta-bote, basic square-stern canoes and some others. I really like the Mokai, but the manufacturer told me the jet will clog easily in vegetation and shallow muddy areas. Plus it's outragously expensive. So what else it out there that a duck hunter would use?
 
I built a Devlin Poleboat just for those spec and added a transon. It will handle a 4 hp just fine. I think it came in about 85 # without a blind atached. I will try to find a pick to post. There are some pics on the readers rigs I think. Mark from Mo has some pics somewhere here just don't tell him you want a motor. hahaha. Good Luck
 
Charlie, I like the Momarsh boat. looks perfect. i'd seen it before, but had forgotten all about it.

Rhett and Tom, i have 100 excuses for not starting/attempting a boat build project. one day i'd like to, but not just yet. thanks for the suggestion.
 
Larry -

I bought and use the Hoefgen duck Boat for just the very same reasons. I had to add a transom so that I could use a motor on it. Weighs in at 65lb and does all you want it to do. I use a Fulton Canoe CAddy to help me get the boat on top of the pick-up.

http://www.hoefgencanoes.com/duckboat.html

Mark W
 
http://www.goldenhawkcanoes.com/wst_page2.html

I know what you said about caones. I have a Golden Hawk 10' double end. Can haul 2 people 400# no trouble. My 75# dog can jump out of it with out tipping. I do not have the square stern and paddle my double ender backwards sitting on the front seat when alone. I launch anywhere I want and drag it around just fine after a back blow out. However, it can only haul 11 goose floaters.

Also, have been loading a 14' Sylvan lghtweight aluminum 14' v hull in and out of the back of a full-sized pick-up for fishing. I know different companies make LW or car topper model aluminum boats in v hulls and jon boats. Try Tracker, Alumacraft, Sylvan
 
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Mark, I saw your previous post about the Hoefgen and check-out their web page. How did you add a transon and what size motor do you run?
 
Momarsh DP weighs over 90 lbs, it's great for the back of a pickup, but if you truly want to put it on top of your car the shape and weight would be difficult to lift by yourself on a standard suv.

Steve
 
Mark, I saw your previous post about the Hoefgen and check-out their web page. How did you add a transon and what size motor do you run?


I have tried various motors. The best for small lakes and still water, or even a small stream with water at least 2' deep, I had a 55 lb electric. That motor does not work in shallow streams where I do the majority of my hunting and thus the desire to build my own motor which is underway.

I also tried a small lightweight 2hp (or 1.5 - can't recall) and it too worked well in the same situation as with the electric. Didn't work in shallow streams.

For the motor mount, I just bolted 2 right angle iron pieces on either side of the stern and bolted a 2X4 to it - actually a 2X4 on each side of the angled metal - the angle iron was sandwiched in between.

Mark W
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Momarsh DP weighs over 90 lbs, it's great for the back of a pickup, but if you truly want to put it on top of your car the shape and weight would be difficult to lift by yourself on a standard suv.

Steve
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. A real car-topper should be more in the 60# range. A roto-molded Marsh Rat should be light enough. But they have some quirks. My fiberglass Rat is 90-95# and a back breaker, but it is ridgid.
 
to settle for a boat that less than desirable because it weighs less, or have to grunt a heavier one onto the roof. There are several labor savings devices available for car toppers that allow you easily lift a heavier boat on to the roof racks of any vehicle...

The simplelest is the extendible rack that allows you to extend the rack off the side of the vehicle so that all you have to do is elevate the bow of the boat to that rod...once the bow is on the rack step to the back and push the stern forward while lifting....doesn't matter whether the boat is 40 or 80 lbs. its EASY EASY JAPANESEY and you got chose the boat for features other than just the wt....check the website of Yakima and Thule racks for these roof racks....

Another nice device is the hitch mounted pole that has a clamping device on it....flip the boat over and drop the transom into the clamp....tighten that and then walk the bow in a 180 arc to the front ramp.....again the wt. fo the boat doesn't come into play and as above...its EASY PEASY JAPANESY.....can't remember the exact name on f thiese wizz bang loading devices but the last time this came up someone said they were available from Cabela's so you could search their website iin the same section as roof racks...or just wait till someone says...."here's the name and here's where to get it.....

Steve
 
Just a bit of advice from someone who bought a boat loader from Cabelas and had it back to the return counter in less than two hours. It is absolutly a P.O.S. . Wobbly and lightweight. I don't make a practice of bad mouthing something just because I don't like it but this one is so shoddy I just have to say some thing. I took it back, bought some steel and built one in a couple hours that is just great. The idea is a very good one it is just that it was built by the lowest bidder and shame on Cabelas for selling it. Just my $.o3. Beware.
 
has then send Tom a note and ask him for his bill of materials and EASY PEASY JAPANESY fabrication instructions...

Seriously appreciate the information Tom as I'll now quit recommending the Cabela's item...the one I have was fro Herter' and is over 30 years old and HELL FOR STOUT....clearly thngs have changed in those 30 years...

Steve
 
Steve, Must have gotten lost in the mail with the check. Cabelas' has some very nice stuff and being only 7 miles from my front door I do shop there once in a while (maybe more hahaha) BUT they do have some very bad stuff too. Makes me leary of ordering from the cataloge. Too bad but true. The other side of the coin is that they have never dissapointed me at the return counter. Just had to speak up on this one. Seriuosly the loader plans and picture are available just for asking here FREE. Almost no welding.
 
Steve/Tom, thanks for the info about roof rack devices. I started out with loading a canoe on my yakima truck racks, so i'm familiar with the back saving devices. the discussion somehow got off on a tangent regarding weight.
 
The labor saving device is called the Fulton Canoe Caddy and you can get it from Cabelas (at least you used to be able to get it there) I have one and I love it. I didn't find it cheaply made but it is wobbly like Tom mentions. The wobbliness doesn't matter as once the boat is on it and strapped down, the wobbliness means nothing. Maybe Tom and I have different products as I love mine and couldn't get the boat on top of the truck without it. The product isn't perfect but does what I need it to do.

Mark W
 
Sure, I'll have to do some measurements and get it on later. I really like the way it works. I think you can get a peek at it on some of the LaCross pictures from last June. More later.
 
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