No More Car Topping My Canoe 2025

WPCfishing reply :

I bought a trailer. What a time and energy saver. Life is much easier now.

If you fish out of a canoe or kayak consider a trailer. You won't regret buying one.

flyfisher reply :

it is next on my list of purchases for sure. I am on the lookout for a jet ski trailer so i can just back it in and launch just like a boat if i want to the good used ones sell fast around here though

Way2slow reply :

I've had a canoe for about 55 years. After having it a couple of years, I picked up a trailer for it, but almost never used it and eventually converted it to a jon boat trailer. I found the places I used the canoe were usually so hard to get to, getting in and out with the trailer was much more trouble. I use my canoe when going into places that getting something else in there is either not possible or practical.

WPCfishing reply :

On 6/20/2015 at 7:10 PM, Way2slow said:
I've had a canoe for about 55 years. After having it a couple of years, I picked up a trailer for it, but almost never used it and eventually converted it to a jon boat trailer. I found the places I used the canoe were usually so hard to get to, getting in and out with the trailer was much more trouble. I use my canoe when going into places that getting something else in there is either not possible or practical.

If I can't back it down I'm not going to that lake. I built an outrigger for the canoe that works great I can stand and cast all day. Boat wakes are a non issue.

WPCfishing reply :

On 6/20/2015 at 11:48 AM, flyfisher said:
it is next on my list of purchases for sure. I am on the lookout for a jet ski trailer so i can just back it in and launch just like a boat if i want to the good used ones sell fast around here though

Harbor Freight has a nice trailer on sale right now for $400.00. It comes as a kit that's easy to put together.

http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-boat-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-5002.html

Have an alignment after the build at a local shop.

Goose52 reply :

It's handy to trailer it for sure - saves rigging and de-rigging time.

In my case, when I bought my canoe I also bought and installed a trailer hitch for the car at the same time. Never used it. While I was deciding what trailer to get for the canoe, I started car-topping. What I found out was that for ME, the car-topping, rigging, and de-rigging was not a big problem. My canoe only weighs 34 pounds dry - and weighs about 44 pounds in the configuration that I actually lift up on the roof of the car. It takes about 12 to 15 minutes to rig/de-rig lakeside. Not a problem so far.

For me, the disadvantages of car-topping (extra effort and some extra time) are less than the disadvantages of trailering. Finding a place to park/store the trailer, not being able to get into some spots without boat ramps, etc.

I'm 62 years old now and might have to consider trailering some day....OR, there's always the option of getting a lighter-weight kevlar hull canoe that is easier to lift on the roof...

Way2slow reply :

If it's a lake I can back down to, I don't take the canoe.

I fish a number ponds, creeks, small rivers there's not even a road. I have a place I go frog gigging we drag the canoe several hundred yards through the woods to get to and a sucker hole on the Ogeechee river we have to drag to, and then still fight our way up channel about a 1/2 mile. It's up at the head of it, where it's no more than a wide creek channel.

The reason I've kept the canoe 55 years, you can't beat it for remote access. When I have the ability haul a boat and trailer to the water, I have jon boats or even a 20ft bass boat I prefer over canoe.

Now, if a canoe was my only source of a fishing boat, and was used in waters with ramps and access, then it would probably have a trailer, but that's not how I use mine.

WPCfishing reply :

On 6/20/2015 at 9:26 PM, Way2slow said:

If it's a lake I can back down to, I don't take the canoe.

I fish a number ponds, creeks, small rivers there's not even a road. I have a place I go frog gigging we drag the canoe several hundred yards through the woods to get to and a sucker hole on the Ogeechee river we have to drag to, and then still fight our way up channel about a 1/2 mile. It's up at the head of it, where it's no more than a wide creek channel.

The reason I've kept the canoe 55 years, you can't beat it for remote access. When I have the ability haul a boat and trailer to the water, I have jon boats or even a 20ft bass boat I prefer over canoe.

Now, if a canoe was my only source of a fishing boat, and was used in waters with ramps and access, then it would probably have a trailer, but that's not how I use mine.

I'm in Southern New England. Most of the lakes and ponds here do not allow gas engines, Some allow a 9.9hp. I made the most of a canoe for my fishing.

Way2slow reply :

Don't get me wrong, I luv a canoe. I bought my canoe when I was 13 years old, a used 17' Grumman Cargo aluminum canoe with cut off back for motor for $25, and it was my only boat until I was 16, that's why I bought a trailer. I had a 48 Ford I had bought for $10 the canoe stayed on top of it all the time unless I was fishing out of it before I got the trailer. Driving when I was 13 was one of the benefits of being a south GA country boy. Miles and miles of dirt roads and parents that let me use them, I just couldn't get on the highways until I turned 16 and got my license. Then I got me a boat and the canoe became my remote access fishing vessel and no longer needed the trailer.

the reel ess reply :

On 6/20/2015 at 8:54 PM, WPCfishing said:
If I can't back it down I'm not going to that lake. I built an outrigger for the canoe that works great I can stand and cast all day. Boat wakes are a non issue.

Those are the places I most want to go. I want to be ALONE and have no competition when I fish. I like ignorant fish that have never seen a lure. They're hungry and willing.

WPCfishing reply :

On 6/21/2015 at 12:29 AM, the reel ess said:
Those are the places I most want to go. I want to be ALONE and have no competition when I fish. I like ignorant fish that have never seen a lure. They're hungry and willing.

Around here those ponds are plentiful and they have gravel ramps. The ones that don't are still easy access with the canoe.

Neonsnow78 reply :

i use mine for my crawdad as well. Great little trailers for cheap money. save your back, roof, paint etc lol

Master Bait'r reply :

On 6/21/2015 at 12:29 AM, the reel ess said:
Those are the places I most want to go. I want to be ALONE and have no competition when I fish. I like ignorant fish that have never seen a lure. They're hungry and willing.

Same. I have a kayak and a 12' semi-v and I love taking them to backwater spots seldom fished. Even when I'm not going to use the trailer to back in, I'd still prefer to have it on there rather than in the bed of a truck. It's just a good height for anything. I'd also rather drive my little SUV than the big huge truck anytime so it's by far my preferred method of transport.

WPCfishing reply :

On 6/20/2015 at 9:00 PM, WPCfishing said:

Harbor Freight has a nice trailer on sale right now for $400.00. It comes as a kit that's easy to put together.

http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-boat-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-5002.html

Have an alignment after the build at a local shop.

It's been aligned and tows great!

Team_Dougherty reply :

I have used one of those harbor freight trailers from when I first bought my kayak. There was no way I was going to attempt to put a 80lb kayak on the roof of anything. I have not problem getting my kayak to even the most remote places.

Here are some mods I made to the trailer for kayak hauling. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/117449-kayak-trailer-modifications/

One of these helps be move it around the yard. http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-heavy-duty-trailer-dolly-69898.html

Turtle135 reply :

Congrats on the trailer! It is so nice to have the kayak or the canoe pretty much loaded and ready to fish.

My Ride 115 kayak goes in the bed of my pickup truck & I have many jealous fishing friends when they see how fast I can unload and load.

Hurricane reply :

On 6/20/2015 at 9:00 PM, WPCfishing said:

Harbor Freight has a nice trailer on sale right now for $400.00. It comes as a kit that's easy to put together.

http://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-capacity-boat-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-5002.html

Have an alignment after the build at a local shop.

Thank you for this. . Looks perfect for my 14 foot canoe..

A-Jay reply :

Been Running the Old Town on the same Castle Craft trailer for going on eight seasons ~ it's been Great.

Three different trucks ~ same Boat & Trailer

Here's the lastest Rig.

A-Jay

Hurricane reply :

On 10/2/2015 at 10:38 PM, A-Jay said:

Been Running the Old Town on the same Castle Craft trailer for going on eight seasons ~ it's been Great.

Three different trucks ~ same Boat & Trailer

Here's the lastest Rig.

A-Jay

Perfect!

Hurricane reply :

On 10/2/2015 at 10:38 PM, A-Jay said:

Been Running the Old Town on the same Castle Craft trailer for going on eight seasons ~ it's been Great.

Three different trucks ~ same Boat & Trailer

Here's the lastest Rig.

A-Jay

Nice setup. .. I definitely need to get a trailer. .. Beautiful truck too!

WPCfishing reply :

The only in and out items are my rods, battery and T motors. It's quick and easy..

Racerx reply :

Having a trailer for my Pelican canoe would be awesome. The d**n thing weighs close to 84 lbs. The kayak is a tad lighter, so I don't mind roofing it as much. Neither of my vehicles is set up for towing, and, right now, neighter is my wallet.

flyfisher reply :

i picked up a jet ski trailer and modified it for my kayak and it was the best thing i have done. It makes it so much easier to load and unload, especially after a long day. I was loading it on top of my wrangler for a while and it was doable but a pain.

Now i just need to figure out a way to be able to load it all up with rods and everything so i can just load up and go and not even have to mess with anything once i get to the lake other than backing the trailer down and releasing the straps....backing up a short wheelbase trailer is definitely not the easiest thing but it is getting easier each time.

WPCfishing reply :

On 10/4/2015 at 12:36 AM, flyfisher said:

i picked up a jet ski trailer and modified it for my kayak and it was the best thing i have done. It makes it so much easier to load and unload, especially after a long day. I was loading it on top of my wrangler for a while and it was doable but a pain.

Now i just need to figure out a way to be able to load it all up with rods and everything so i can just load up and go and not even have to mess with anything once i get to the lake other than backing the trailer down and releasing the straps....backing up a short wheelbase trailer is definitely not the easiest thing but it is getting easier each time.

I like having my rods in the vehicle when I'm in tow mode. I know they're safe.. I'm really fussy about my rods and reels.

The battery is always going to be a pain in the butt. Mine is a series 29, it weights 65 pounds. Every trip means it has to be handled 5 times.

The ramps and the surroundings aren't always very level ect...... at times it's a real elbow smasher.

flyfisher reply :

yeah i thought about that too. I may just figure out how to lay them flat in my kayak when i am towing. I can just leave them in the jeep too because it doesn't take that long to take them out but it would be nice to have my crate and fish finder in there. my fish finder i can do, i just need to put a spacer under the bunks i have to make that work, just haven't had the time do it yet.

Goose52 reply :

There are certainly pros and cons of trailering vs. car-topping. In regards to loading and unloading at home...I often don't have to. I re-tie knots and clean-up my gear on the water, put everything in (and on top of) the car, get home, drive in the garage, and the next day head out for the water again...

flyfisher reply :

most of my fishing gear stays in the jeep in the trunk area so that doesn't get unloaded too often. and with the trailer it does make it easier to just hitch up and go

kjfishman reply :

I used to car top my Loon 138 but I am not getting any younger and hoisting something 75 pounds and almost 14 foot long was getting to be a pain. It was time for a new vehicle anyway so I traded my Jeep Liberty for a Dakota pickup and use a Harbor freight bed extender with added lights. If I didn't have a pickup I would get an inexpensive Harbor Freight trailer.

Hurricane reply :

On 10/4/2015 at 5:40 AM, kjfishman said:
I used to car top my Loon 138 but I am not getting any younger and hoisting something 75 pounds and almost 14 foot long was getting to be a pain. It was time for a new vehicle anyway so I traded my Jeep Liberty for a Dakota pickup and use a Harbor freight bed extender with added lights. If I didn't have a pickup I would get an inexpensive Harbor Freight trailer.

Thank you for this post...

Neil McCauley reply :

Cheapskate car-topper here. I don't even have a rack!

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No More Car Topping My Canoe 2025

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