SIB (Aerotec) on the car roof

[Fenlander]

Last year on hols we wondered about the possibility of doing short runs with the Aerotec on the car roof to expand our launch sites without resorting to a daily inflate... but never got round to trying.

This year in Devon we have picked a location where large areas dry and the tides for our two weeks in July aren't the best times for days out. So we might need launch/recovery flexibility car topping would give us.

So I trialled roof loading. Worked out we really needed 150cm width roof bars which by chance is the maximum option for the Halfords/Thule type we have (currently 120cm bars). So I cut some spare 1" alloy poles to 150cm and cable tied to the existing bars for the trial.

Did the thing I've seen on images before of backing the Aerotec up to the rear of the car then turning it over and leaning on the car tailgate. Then with "crew" either side at the forward end of the tube top grab handles and me lifting the transom it wasn't too bad a job to lift onto the car.

Left the seat, transom wheels and plotter transducer/cable on... reckon arriving at a launch site and flipping this setup off the roof would save about 20mins off arriving with it deflated and packed in the car.

Just got to order the 150cm roof bars now and we're sorted.

[Max...]

As you'll know David I've banged on about this for years on here and mine is inflated once as the season opens and lives on its side in the garage. Bit easier with a Landy as no rack needed, now got the Aerotec and an old Disco of course but method is the same. We lean the boat (inside against the side of Landy) and lift/slide it up and on.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/sib-on-car-roof-42774.html

[toonpirate]

That looks good and when I get my SIB I would want to put it on the top of my Mercedes Sprinter which may prove a little more tricky. How are you securing to the roof bars ? I presume ratchet straps but the only danger I see are the tubes being damaged?

Nice tourer by the way. Where in Devon are you heading to?

[Stubber]

Used to put a quicksilver 340 on roof of Berlingo van with roof rack and made life easier, just watch out for hedges and low tree branches down small roads

[Max...]

Originally Posted by toonpirate

That looks good and when I get my SIB I would want to put it on the top of my Mercedes Sprinter which may prove a little more tricky. How are you securing to the roof bars ? I presume ratchet straps but the only danger I see are the tubes being damaged?

Nice tourer by the way. Where in Devon are you heading to?

On mine I use four heavy duty tie down straps, the 500KG rated wide type Britsh Made with self locking buckles, you can find them on eBay below. Don't go near the cheap Chinese crap from Poundland etc.

These below, superb quality and you can get the exact length you need and colour code for each position:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cam-Buckle...4ucmkINYpGTZmQ

One from the bow ring to the front bumper, one round both rear transom tow eyes to the rear tow hitch. And one over tubes and also through front bridles then inside front door openings in a big loop. Same through the two rear door openings over rear of tubes.

[treerat]

Used to happily throw the Yam 3.83 on the Astra.

Made up a running board each side that went front to back from PVC barge board and spare roof bar that u bolted onto the standard width one.

Gave extra support and width that worked a treat.

[Fenlander]

Toonpirate I'm getting straps but ones like Max linked (thanks for that link Max as I only have cheap ones for non-critical use at the moment) as ratchet ones tend to get over-tightened onto tubes. The straps will go under the car's roof rails.

Thanks re tourer comment. It's 15yrs old, worth peanuts but near mint and everything works. Huge loadspace, self levelling rear suspension and silky smooth economical 6cyl diesel makers it hard to replace without spending some serious cash.

We're staying on the south side of the Teignmouth estuary to the west of the bridge adj a small slip but at low tide there might be a 200ft gap between water and slip and until we get there we won't know if this is sand/gravel/shells or mud. So wanted the car top ability to travel across the bridge to Poly Steps when needed which would be just under 2mls at 30mph so no need for excessive strapping.

Treerat actually the Mrs and small daughter struggled with lifting at head height saying something that the boat would slide on would help a lot. If this was more of a permanent roof top setup a UPVC rail the length of the roof either side woul be ideal.

[toonpirate]

I'm a fan of the BMW 6cyl engines of that era. I don't think you can beat them.

You must be at Shaldon then. A less crammed place to launch in Teignmouth and free is turn left immediately prior to the APB building. You can then park in the car park opposite. I may see you down there if i can find a SIB package prior to the summer.

[jeffstevens763@g]

David will you leave the wheels on in that position

[Fenlander]

I was going to Jeff as it's then ready to flip over once off the roof and we can get straight on with mounting the OB etc.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I was going to Jeff as it's then ready to flip over once off the roof and we can get straight on with mounting the OB etc.

Ok I would just be concerned that they are a trap point for branches where they would just skim the boat until they hit the uprights. The wheels will spin in the wind,noise and premature wear might be an issue, just something I personnely would think about but otherwise you could travel miles like that without any problems. Having done it years ago I found that the bow line tied down to be a must as the bow chatters with the wind and uplift inside the boat with it being upside down

[Fenlander]

Yep agree re wheel legs if we were going far... don't want to arrive at the slip in a tangle of car park height barrier planks and birds nests.

[HDAV]

Measure the height with boat on top and write on a sticker on dash/sun visor!

Looks good and should be fine for a few miles at low speeds.


Toonpirate perhaps you could modify a ladder handling system (used by sky and BG for one man safe handling of ladders on and off vans)
Rhino SafeStow3 ladder system

[falcon0310]

guys,
you have all wrong do what i do with mine
tie to boot lid , tow down the road with beach wheels, with engine attached,
but i was only doing that in Africa
far less messing around
and thats what old bill told me to do !

[Firstrib]

Looks good Fenlander.

[Firstrib]

I would like to do that but it won't survive in a London street for long