125lb Jon Boat on top of my car?

[Mcboink]

Hey all, new here..wondering if it was possible to put a 125lb 12' jon boat on top of my car without causing damage, to save on a trailer. I just use a 55lb thrust trolling motor for primary movement so i can take that off and on.

Thanks!

Zach

[unhbass37]

I would say NO. It's to big and to heavy to take a chance.

[CGH]

The weight of that boat is not really your main concern. At 125 lb it will be fine to car top. Just remember that you also have to take in to consideration the amount of up or down force that the boat will place on your car due to wind forces.

Wind hitting the boat at "A" will really push down on the boat with several more pounds than the boats original 125 lb

Wind hitting the boat at "B" will try and lift the boat up with more than 125lb of force

I car top with a 1992 Ford Taurus a Duracraft 14.4 (1436) that I believe weighs about 140 to 160 lb and a Little 1432 that weighs around 80 to 100 pounds and a canoe that weighs about 75 to 80 lb. Roughest part is getting the boats on top of the car with out scratching it up

That should be your main considerations is having the boat tied to the car really well.

REAL Slow and stead is the the way to go.

Sorry about the art work!

[Branuss04]

The weight of that boat is not really your main concern. At 125 lb it will be fine to car top. Just remember that you also have to take in to consideration the amount of up or down force that the boat will place on your car due to wind forces.

Wind hitting the boat at "A" will really push down on the boat with several more pounds than the boats original 125 lb

Wind hitting the boat at "B" will try and lift the boat up with more than 125lb of force

I car top with a 1992 Ford Taurus a Duracraft 14.4 (1436) that I believe weighs about 140 to 160 lb and a Little 1432 that weighs around 80 to 100 pounds and a canoe that weighs about 75 to 80 lb. Roughest part is getting the boats on top of the car with out scratching it up

That should be your main considerations is having the boat tied to the car really well.

REAL Slow and stead is the the way to go.

Sorry about the art work!

That's a H1 Hummer isn't it!!!   ;D

[Calcutta]

A friend of mine does this and heres a handy trick. He bought pipe insulation and slit it down the full length. He slipped it over the gunwhales of the boat before putting it over the car. Not only does this protect the car, it also allows some give to ratchet down on with straps.

[Mcboink]

So it's possible then? I will be driving it home on a 55mph highway for 39 miles...on top of my car... I don't have a hitch or a trailer...so thats my dillemma, but this boat is too big of a deal to pass up...and also should i put it upside down, or rightside up?

[Mcboink]

On 2nd thought..I should just swindle my friend into letting me borrow his truck for the afternoon...

[CGH]

On 2nd thought..I should just swindle my friend into letting me borrow his truck for the afternoon...

Yes this would be much better.

[Fishing Rhino]

Roof racks such as Thule or Yakima will handle that weight.

You'll need a line at the bow and the stern to stabilize the load.  Pehaps even triangulated at the ends to resist the tendency of the load to move sideways at speed.

A jon boat loaded bow forward will have a great tendency to lift if carried right side up.  If upside down, it will exert a downward force.

Stern forward will reduce this, but greatly increase drag.

Either way, it will create turbulence.  If you've been on a plane in "rough air", then you've experienced what the boat will be doing on the roof of your vehicle.

It must be secured tightly.

I would never put it directly on the roof of any car or truck.

It can scratch or put creases in the roof.

Been there, done that.

One more thing.  Always use ratchet type straps to secure it.  Be sure to check it after driving a few miles, and periodically thereafter.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Rhino gives good advice.  I used a Thule rack w/ no attachments for years to haul my light duty 12 all over New England.  Any other option, to me, is irresponsible (regarding mounting on roof, obviously, a trailer is a better answer).  Attempting this and doing it wrong can have HUGE consequences.

Also, I mounted mine upside down, bow forward.  no less than 4 attachment points and use REAL TIE DOWNS,....NOT ROPE!!!  I used 2 over the top of the boat to the racks and one of the bow and one off the stern to the bumpers (or even better, the tow hook)

[nashua fisherman]

i woudnt worry. just make sure it is secure before you head down the road.

12'x31" on 94 olds cutlass;

[flechero]

Roof racks such as Thule or Yakima will handle that weight.

You'll need a line at the bow and the stern to stabilize the load.  Pehaps even triangulated at the ends to resist the tendency of the load to move sideways at speed.

Exactly what I did.  Yak rack with 2 tie downs across the middle, on the rack and one on each corner of the boat, to the bumpers.  No issues,ever, and even took many road trips of hundreds of miles.  

[Raul]

I cartop my boat all the time on my Ram Charger SUV placed on a Car-Go rack, 4 tie downs to the bumpers and we 're ready to go.

Like the guys said, never on top of the roof, do not use a rope to tie it.

[Jim Grouch]

Here's a brand new trailer for $300 you could make work.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42709

Or check Craigslist in your area for a cheap trailer.

[Imgonnamissher]

I don't have a boat (yet), but in line with the Thule and Yakima fans, in addition, they have something they call their "canoe carrier" attachments.  All they are are brackets ( for lack of a better word) for the purpose of keeping the canoe from moving side to side.  Works like a charm for me, and I expect they will work fine for a light aluminum soon.  That said, four tie down points and a quick check every few miles should do the trick.