boat ideas for remote camping?

Junkers88 · 07-28-2009, 10:32 AM

I'm tring to figure out if I can haul a small boat or canoe on top of my 1st gen 4runner. I know I've seen folks do this but it's always been on later models with the integrated (spelling?) roof rack.

Any one hauling a boat on a 1st gen? If so what kind of boat, and how much it weighs if you know it, how long/wide and if it causes any "top heavy" issues.

I looked at a folding boat but it was too pricey for me. I also looked at some alluminum boats but again they are expensive. It might be that I'll do better with a little 10' long canoe or something.

Thank you.

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

Elton · 07-28-2009, 10:37 AM

what about one of those inflatable rafts ?

**Tofer** · 07-28-2009, 10:41 AM

offroad boat trailer?

Junkers88 · 07-28-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elton

what about one of those inflatable rafts ?

I really dislike inflatables. There is a certain amount of fear that settles in the pit of my tummy when I'm in one of those things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tofer

offroad boat trailer?

I hadn't thought of that........ I'll do some looking.

gilby4runner · 07-28-2009, 11:20 AM

a small jon boat should be fine strapped to the top of the 4runner.

Lumpy · 07-28-2009, 12:07 PM

I'm sure you would not have an issue with a canoe on the roof. I think it would be easier to get on and off as well.

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/spo/1282900007.html

These Old Towns are nice little pricey but they do quite well...http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/boa/1260401079.html

Junkers88 · 07-28-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumpy

I'm sure you would not have an issue with a canoe on the roof. I think it would be easier to get on and off as well.

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/spo/1282900007.html

These Old Towns are nice little pricey but they do quite well...http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/boa/1260401079.html

Well that didn't take long. I shot the guy an email on the first one. If it turns out to be the Bayou model then I'll own it this week. Then all I need to do is get a support system built for the hard top on the runner and I'm set.

Thanks!!

Lumpy · 07-28-2009, 05:21 PM

Not a problem I'm glad it worked out for ya.

Also look into getting a few of those foam noodle things that they have for pools.

Get the ones that have the hole going through them. Cut them to about 12" sections and slice 1 side. Then place them on the rails of the canoe so it does not scratch the paint too much.

...

refried · 07-29-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkers88

I really dislike inflatables. There is a certain amount of fear that settles in the pit of my tummy when I'm in one of those things.

You have to stop shopping for boats at Walmart.

Where are you planning on boating? rivers, lakes?
I have 3 inflatables and all have different uses
the biggest is for whitewater only
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.a...85&deptid=1128
it is cartoppable but a little big for what you will be doing with it.
My 11' Sotar kayak gets more use than the others but is a whitewater boat also.
http://www.sotar.com/index2.htmL
My Aire Lynx II is a great all around boat, It's big enough for 2 people, can be paddled solo, and will haul a bunch of gear if needed. It gets most of it's use around the house as a sea kayak.
http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=196
Aire has a great warranty too,10 years, no matter what I do to it it will be repaired for free.

Lumpy · 07-29-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refried

You have to stop shopping for boats at Walmart.

Where are you planning on boating? rivers, lakes?
I have 3 inflatables and all have different uses
the biggest is for whitewater only
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.a...85&deptid=1128
it is cartoppable but a little big for what you will be doing with it.
My 11' Sotar kayak gets more use than the others but is a whitewater boat also.
http://www.sotar.com/index2.htmL
My Aire Lynx II is a great all around boat, It's big enough for 2 people, can be paddled solo, and will haul a bunch of gear if needed. It gets most of it's use around the house as a sea kayak.
http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=196
Aire has a great warranty too,10 years, no matter what I do to it it will be repaired for free.

Ya those are nice...but I'd have to sell my Toyota's to get one...

desertcamper67 · 07-29-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumpy

Not a problem I'm glad it worked out for ya.

Also look into getting a few of those foam noodle things that they have for pools.

Get the ones that have the hole going through them. Cut them to about 12" sections and slice 1 side. Then place them on the rails of the canoe so it does not scratch the paint too much.

...

Great idea with the noodles. Gotta save that one for future ref.

Lumpy · 07-29-2009, 10:11 AM

Let me tell ya, those goofy things really do come in handy sometimes!!! Almost as handy as electrical tape and drapery cord!!!

Junkers88 · 07-29-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refried

You have to stop shopping for boats at Walmart.

Where are you planning on boating? rivers, lakes?
I have 3 inflatables and all have different uses
the biggest is for whitewater only
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.a...85&deptid=1128
it is cartoppable but a little big for what you will be doing with it.
My 11' Sotar kayak gets more use than the others but is a whitewater boat also.
http://www.sotar.com/index2.htmL
My Aire Lynx II is a great all around boat, It's big enough for 2 people, can be paddled solo, and will haul a bunch of gear if needed. It gets most of it's use around the house as a sea kayak.
http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=196
Aire has a great warranty too,10 years, no matter what I do to it it will be repaired for free.

Those are really nice but I can't afford them.

refried · 07-29-2009, 11:19 AM

Aire also has a line of boats about half the price made in China with a 5 year warranty called Tributary. the boats are very similar but materials aren't as heavy but they're still very tough, a friend drove his 1 ton ford over his with no damage other than tire marks.
http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=212
the Sawtooth looks like a nice do everything boat too
http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=224

Junkers88 · 07-29-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refried

Aire also has a line of boats about half the price made in China with a 5 year warranty called Tributary. the boats are very similar but materials aren't as heavy but they're still very tough, a friend drove his 1 ton ford over his with no damage other than tire marks.
http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=212
the Sawtooth looks like a nice do everything boat too
http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=224

Those are nice also but again the price makes me pause. I know you "get what you pay for" but I'm looking to spend about 300$ and so far that limits me to regular canoes (spelling?). I called about a Pelican here in town that they want 250$ for but I need to go look at it to see what model it is. At 15' long it should ride on the top of the runner pretty well and be usable for the remote lakes that I head out towards.

I had to laugh at the "you need to stop buying boats at Walmart" comment since that's the place that sold me the last inflatable I owned. That dang thing made one trip to a little lake and I'll be damned if I didn't drive a hook into the side of it. I can tell you that I was an olympic caliber paddler for about 4 minutes getting back to shallow water.

Lumpy · 07-29-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkers88

I can tell you that I was an olympic caliber paddler for about 4 minutes getting back to shallow water.

That's good stuff!!! I can imagine!!!

dport · 08-02-2009, 09:58 PM

Find a "Lowe" jon boat dealer, or check Sam's website. I bought a 12ft light weight Lowe brand at Sam's about 4 yrs ago for $299. I haven't seen them there since, but one may be available at a larger store or online. I can lean it against my back, reach across it and walk a little ways with it o my back. I have loaded it several time by myself with no problems. Good luck in your search.

Beefed Taco · 08-02-2009, 10:43 PM

This is a 12 ft. bass boat and definitely NOT as light as I wish. My wife and I load it easy, but it's definitely heavier than an aluminum one of it's size. What I did here is drilled 2 holes in each factory rack, and then used 2 pieces of tubing with holes where the ones in the rack were, and added eye bolts to the ends of the tubing. Then use ratchet straps and it works great! Sure there was slight flex in the stock racks, but they did hold up, even on the freeway.

07-28-2009, 10:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,668	what about one of those inflatable rafts ? __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

07-28-2009, 10:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tofer Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 6,912	offroad boat trailer? __________________ 94 4runenr: all the good stuff....... 89 4runner: 3.0, Auto, 5.29 lockright f/r. 31x10.5 wildcountry ATs. 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \|Civic SI seats \| LockRight \| Hella 500s pacific-crawlers.com For all your Trail-gear and HID lighting Solutions Needs check out yotaworks.com Online store coming soon :)

07-29-2009, 11:19 AM	#14 (permalink)
refried Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Republic of Cascadia Posts: 170	Aire also has a line of boats about half the price made in China with a 5 year warranty called Tributary. the boats are very similar but materials aren't as heavy but they're still very tough, a friend drove his 1 ton ford over his with no damage other than tire marks. http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=212 the Sawtooth looks like a nice do everything boat too http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=224 __________________ 1981 Shortbed 4x4 Buick 231 V6, Turbo 350 4" springs 35x12.50 15 Bfg MT 300,000+ miles

08-02-2009, 09:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
dport Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 329	Find a "Lowe" jon boat dealer, or check Sam's website. I bought a 12ft light weight Lowe brand at Sam's about 4 yrs ago for $299. I haven't seen them there since, but one may be available at a larger store or online. I can lean it against my back, reach across it and walk a little ways with it o my back. I have loaded it several time by myself with no problems. Good luck in your search. __________________ My truck's not stock, I got BFG A/T's!

08-02-2009, 10:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
Beefed Taco Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oceanside, CA. Posts: 25	This is a 12 ft. bass boat and definitely NOT as light as I wish. My wife and I load it easy, but it's definitely heavier than an aluminum one of it's size. What I did here is drilled 2 holes in each factory rack, and then used 2 pieces of tubing with holes where the ones in the rack were, and added eye bolts to the ends of the tubing. Then use ratchet straps and it works great! Sure there was slight flex in the stock racks, but they did hold up, even on the freeway. __________________ Last edited by Beefed Taco; 08-02-2009 at 10:54 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search