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Solo dinghy on car roof possible or not?

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13263
Printed Date: 19 Mar 24 at 10:32am
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Topic: Solo dinghy on car roof possible or not?
Posted By: Rusty69
Subject: Solo dinghy on car roof possible or not?
Date Posted: 20 Feb 19 at 9:01pm
I have a Europe dinghy which is a bit small for me, however it fits on the car roof, Citroën berlingo with mast and launch trolley. I can lift it on my own, but find help from wife makes it easier.

Now, i would like something a bit bigger, and have always liked the look of the solo dinghy. What are people's thoughts on whether it would also be car toppable with trolley and mast? I am thinking it may be a bit too much.

Any experience gratefully received.

Thanks 



Replies:
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 20 Feb 19 at 11:00pm
It's a fair bit bigger and heavier than the Europe. Car roof weight limits could be a problem. I'm not sure I could safely load one singlehanded either.


Posted By: NickM99
Date Posted: 21 Feb 19 at 3:54pm
The all up weight should be within the permissible roof loading of the Berlingo but it is going to be too heavy to get up and down alone.


Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 21 Feb 19 at 6:53pm
10kg heavier than a Laser and 25kg heavier than a Europe. Probably easy enough for two to get up there but a challenge solo (pun intended) unless you are Geoff Capes.

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 21 Feb 19 at 9:30pm
Thanks all. So unlikely solo, but possible with two, even if one is a feable woman (ducks for cover) 


Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 21 Feb 19 at 9:52pm
Originally posted by Rusty69

Thanks all. So unlikely solo, but possible with two, even if one is a feable woman (ducks for cover) 

I don't think I've ever seen a Solo roof racked, but plenty of Lasers and Moth variants. Before I made any decisions based on whether its practical or not I think I'd want to try it..


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 21 Feb 19 at 10:25pm
It wouldn’t be easy with the centreboard, the depth of the hull and the boom is not as easily removable as on a Laser (continuous outhaul attached to hull). Not to mention the mast isn’t two-piece so is longer than the car.


Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 7:54am
Used to regularly put a Firefly on the roof of various cars. The Berlingo is short and high, though - not the best platform. Think car roofs have got a bit wimpy since, too. Tow bar seems easier?

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 7:55am
Originally posted by JimC

Originally posted by Rusty69

Thanks all. So unlikely solo, but possible with two, even if one is a feable woman (ducks for cover) 

I don't think I've ever seen a Solo roof racked, but plenty of Lasers and Moth variants. Before I made any decisions based on whether its practical or not I think I'd want to try it..

Good idea. 


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 7:57am
Originally posted by Peaky

It wouldn’t be easy with the centreboard, the depth of the hull and the boom is not as easily removable as on a Laser (continuous outhaul attached to hull). Not to mention the mast isn’t two-piece so is longer than the car.

There is some overhang with the Europe one piece mast. I guess the solo mast is longer. I can't remember the allowable overhang. 2m at back seems to ring a bell 


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 7:58am
Originally posted by Rupert

Used to regularly put a Firefly on the roof of various cars. The Berlingo is short and high, though - not the best platform. Think car roofs have got a bit wimpy since, too. Tow bar seems easier?

I have nowhere to store a road trailer, only the boat and trolley. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but that is how it is. 


Posted By: The Moo
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 7:59am
Have you thought about a Streaker? Similar dimensions to a Solo but I believe lighter. I have roof racked one comfortably in the past.


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 8:05am
Originally posted by The Moo

Have you thought about a Streaker? Similar dimensions to a Solo but I believe lighter. I have roof racked one comfortably in the past.

Thanks. I'll take a look. 


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 8:11am
Originally posted by The Moo

Have you thought about a Streaker? Similar dimensions to a Solo but I ve lighter. I have roof racked one comfortably in the past.

That looks like a possibility. I am looking for something with a higher boom than the Europe. Something i don't have to be on my knees all the time. Something i can sit on the side with a deeper cockpit than the laser, but something i can car top.

The streaker could be a contender (pun intended) 


Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 9:56am
Surely if you can store a boat and trolly you have room to store a road base, just leave the boat/trolly on the road base?

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"


Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 10:30am
Rules for carrying items on vehicle roof, you will notice their are different rules for carrying racing boats and rowing boats.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overhanging-loads-on-vehicles/overhanging-loads

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/schedule/12/made


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 10:49am
Originally posted by 423zero


Rules for carrying items on vehicle roof, you will notice their are different rules for carrying racing boats and rowing boats.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overhanging-loads-on-vehicles/overhanging-loads
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/schedule/12/made



Thanks for that. So 2m overhang front and back is doable legally if the spar can easily be supported. Perhaps strapped to a bit of wood.

Thanks for all your advice.

I have started to now look at streakers and lighting 368,both lighter than a Solo. The lightnings centreboard looks a better bet for me than a daggerboard.

I know i am now going off topic (perhaps I should start another?). I have always avoided wooden boats due to the maintenance issues and me being a lazy so and so. However, how do epoxy coated wooden boats fair in terms of maintenance compared to grp? I am guessing epoxy coated wood would be lighter than grp?

Thanks again all.


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 10:58am
Originally posted by Sam.Spoons

Surely if you can store a boat and trolly you have room to store a road base, just leave the boat/trolly on the road base?

Nope. The dinghy spends the summer months on the sea wall, which is not accessible by road. I have nowhere to store the trailer at home, and too tight to join the local sailing club. And,yet another excuse, if that wasn't enough alreadyBig smile, I have no towbar.


Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 11:11am
If the load on/off is only twice a year I would be recruiting a couple of mates to help and buying them a couple of beers Wink roof-racking a Solo wouldn't be a problem with a little help. The mast would be fine, I regularly carry a 7m mast on a shogun roof as the mast prop is too short on the trailer

-------------
Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 11:16am
Originally posted by Sam.Spoons

If the load on/off is only twice a year I would be recruiting a couple of mates to help and buying them a couple of beers Wink roof-racking a Solo wouldn't be a problem with a little help. The mast would be fine, I regularly carry a 7m mast on a shogun roof as the mast prop is too short on the trailer

Yep. It is only twice a years. Oops, I should have mentioned that. Whilst OK at one end, it would require the kindness of strangers at the other end. Still, an option though. Cheers


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 11:39am


[/QUOTE]



I have started to now look at streakers and lighting 368,both lighter than a Solo. The lightnings centreboard looks a better bet for me than a daggerboard. 

Thanks again all. [/QUOTE]

Mmm. Looks like the lightning rig may be nearly as low as the europe.


Posted By: Late starter
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 12:21pm
Mate of mine used to roof rack a Fireball on his Dads Volvo estate !   As others have said, as long as the car and roof rack can take the load the biggest issue is needing 2 or 3 big strong types to lift it on and off.  For once/twice a season can't see why not, but high vehicles are really hard work. I used to roof rack a sailboard on an SUV and that was hard work, don't think I'd have tried to roof rack a dinghy.


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 12:24pm
Originally posted by Late starter

Mate of mine used to roof rack a Fireball on his Dads Volvo estate !   As others have said, as long as the car and roof rack can take the load the biggest issue is needing 2 or 3 big strong types to lift it on and off.  For once/twice a season can't see why not, but high vehicles are really hard work. I used to roof rack a sailboard on an SUV and that was hard work, don't think I'd have tried to roof rack a dinghy.


Ha ha. In my younger days, we used to stick my fireball on top of my dads vw camper.


Posted By: Peter Barton
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 7:58pm
I would be temped to use this method even if there are two of you, especially if you are stretched with a heavier boat. You are only lifting half of the boat at a time and in a more controlled manner. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfA1OZvCbbY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfA1OZvCbbY


Posted By: Rusty69
Date Posted: 22 Feb 19 at 8:04pm
Originally posted by Peter Barton

I would be temped to use this method even if there are two of you, especially if you are stretched with a heavier boat. You are only lifting half of the boat at a time and in a more controlled manner. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfA1OZvCbbY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfA1OZvCbbY

Our current method is to slide it off the trolley and stand it upright against the back of the berlingo on tyres (vertical), and then lift and slide face down. I can do it single handed with the Europe at a push. The main problem is the initial lift. It would probably be easier if it were initially a bit higher of the ground.

Thanks for the link


Posted By: Late starter
Date Posted: 23 Feb 19 at 8:31am
Interesting video, I half remember some folk back in the day using a device that attached to the roof rack that the hull sort of slid on to effect something similar. Can't recall where they came from but I think they weren't that much different to something like this. Not that much different to the way the guy with the Aero loads his hull, but with something more substantial than a blanket to protect the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykODnXHfuM4




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