[Albieaddict]

I just picked up a 13' Beavertail Ambush for quick/casual morning and evening fishing. One of my requirements for this boat was no trailer - I wanted to be able to load and unload without dragging it around all the time.

The only issue is that the vehicle it's going in is a big high roof transit van, around 9' tall. Even a super light kayak would be a challenge to get on top of a roof like that.

One thought was an electric winch and bow roller mounted permanently to the vehicle. The boat has fold down wheels, so you could theoretically hook up to the bow eye and winch/roll it to the rack.

I imagine this will put a decent amount of stress on the hull, but does anyone know if it is enough to cause actual damage? The boat is fiberglass and seems impressively well laid up, there is zero flex anywhere.

Open to other suggestions as well... unless it is get a trailer, which is plan C or D!

AA

 

[jonrconner]

I think you’d need some sort of ramp, otherwise the point loads would be insanely high with friction and leverage added together.
JC

 

[Capnredfish]

Hoist of some sort. This seems like a short lived idea. How much does craft weight?

 

[flyclimber]

Ramp or slides. HB has the same warning about dry launching. You don't want to point load the hull on the roller.

 

[Albieaddict]

Thanks all. I will look into a ramp that extends from the roof - would be great to just have sliders come out to form a ramp up to the rack.

The boat is about 100lbs completely empty. Would be fine with two guys on a shorter vehicle, but less fun when it looks like this (not my van, but an example)

 

[Capnredfish]

Maybe adapt one of the ladder racks that fold down. 24ft ladder I have weighs 84lbs. Ladder rack is one handed operation.

 

[Finsleft258]

Maybe adapt one of the ladder racks that fold down. 24ft ladder I have weighs 84lbs. Ladder rack is one handed operation.

Maybe something like the Thule kayak rack? You could also build a frame that holds the boat and winch that up there.

 

[Surffshr]

You need a 6” lift and 35’s on that thing.

 

[DuckNut]

A winch is going to rip it in half.

 

[DuckNut]

Sprinter has a rack system that comes down on the side and you load things like ladders on it and then it powers back up on to of the van.

Maybe there is one for your

 

[jmrodandgun]

Open to other suggestions as well

 

[Imago]

Nice van