Caravanning and fishing go hand in hand, so John Ford takes a look at the options for bringing a boat on your next adventure. How big a boat do you need, and what are the safety concerns?
Proper planning should give caravanning nomads plenty of spare time. One of the best uses of those memory-making hours is fishing or boating, where getting safely on the water opens endless avenues for exploration.
When we visited King Ash Bay in the western corner of the Gulf of Carpentaria last year, I was surprised by the different ways that dedicated fisherfolk travelled with a boat.
The sprawling fishing club is home to members for months at a time every year, and they need a boat to get among the big barramundi in the McArthur River or the tropical species out in the Gulf. While it’s true you can fish from the shore, the site of monster crocodiles patrolling their territory is enough to make you reconsider and retreat to the bar for a cold one.
As we travelled further, we discovered many innovative ways of bringing a boat to make the most of your experience. Like any freshwater fisherman, it opened a can of worms. So, what do you need to know about boating and travel?
How big a boat can you take?
An alloy boat takes the knocks and travels on a trailer over rough ground better than a fibreglass version, and a 5–6m (16ft 4in–19ft 7in) boat would be a great option for navigating open waters. However, transporting a boat of that size, as well as your van, isn’t straightforward due to its extra weight and bulk. Alternatively, you could treat a larger boat like a camper, setting it up for sleeping or using a swag or rooftop tent; however, we caravanners prefer a bit more comfort.
The simplest solution is a car topper — a small boat on a rack atop the tow vehicle — though this limits us to a smaller, lighter version of boat for easier handling. This is likely the most common solution, and Australian boat builders offer a wide selection.
Check out the Stessl' Boats range of Aussie aluminium car topper models here.
This boat and camper trailer is a compact setup
Choosing the right boat — size matters
In my past life, I wrote about boats and tested hundreds over the years. While most were 6m or longer, I’ve owned my share of smaller versions. Size matters, and while small tinnies have their place, we must caution that they don’t suit all conditions and that their payload is limited.
If you contemplate rough sea conditions or longer offshore voyages, the bigger the boat, the better for safety and comfort. Many travellers imagine they will be fishing in ideal weather conditions, but the reality for many places up north is that a constant trade wind blows in the dry season (approximately May to October), and it’s not the place for a 3m (9ft 8in) tinny in unprotected waters.
You also need to be aware of extreme tides in the tropics. I’ve heard tales of couples fishing some river systems and being trapped by a falling tide. Sitting in the four square-metres of a small boat without sun protection for 10 hours isn’t much fun and could be dangerous.
Even protected rivers or inland waterways pose challenges up north, and I’ve met those who have sworn off fishing from a small boat after encountering big crocs. While the reality is that attacks are rare, the threat feels real when they are nearby. And the danger is substantial. It’s 10 years since a fisherman was taken by a croc while standing in his boat on a stream in Kakadu National Park, but it was a tragic death that underscores the need for awareness and caution.
Securing an aluminium car topper on the roof is the most common way to transport a boat. It’s uncommon to see anything longer than 3.8m or 12ft 6in due to weight limitations on a roof rack and the difficulty of managing larger boats. A typical 3.8m open alloy boat weighs around 90–105 kg, making it challenging to lift by yourself. A 4.5m (14ft 8in) boat provides more safety and space, but its weight increases to 130kg, and the bulk is generally too much for a roof rack.
Engines also vary greatly. The latest four-strokes are heavier than their older two-stroke equivalents: in the Mercury range, the 3.5hp weighs 18kg, the 9.9 at 38kg, and the 25hp at 71kg. When travelling, your payload and storage options must include the boat and engine, safety equipment, anchors and fuel.
A setup we found at King Ash Bay might be my favourite. A Fuso tilt tray truck included a winch and room for a decent-sized boat on its trailer as well as a quad bike to tow it to the water. A 20ft Traveller van was hitched behind, covering all bases. I rate this highly because the boat is big enough for many offshore conditions, and the quad bike offers easy launching. The big advantage of this arrangement is that a winch takes most of the physical work out of loading the boat, but it’s a big setup, and you need extra room when camped. Second-hand tilt tray trucks start from $60k, but many have high mileage. New ones are closer to $400k, so you need deep pockets, and that’s before you fit them out.
The ultimate setup — a tilt tray truck
Isuzu truck, Wonderland and a boat
An alternative to the tilt tray option is a tray-back truck with ramps and a winch to assist with loading. We saw an Isuzu NPS 75/155 in Kalumburu, WA, towing a family-size Wonderland. The centre console is decently sized, and the custom high-wheel boat trailer is rolled up on the tray. The boat trailer’s extra height and durability should allow it to traverse rough tracks and launch in tricky spots better than most fold-up styles.
Many long-term travellers use a Fuso Canter 4x4 as the tow vehicle. Typical are Kate and Greg from Big Gypsea Life, who travel with their two young children in a Jayco Journey. We met them on the Ningaloo coast, WA, as they unloaded their 3.8m tinny to explore the reef. Greg built the loading system, which uses a winch to get the boat down to the ground and onto a folding trailer. He explained that the 3.8m open boat suited him after finding difficulties with a larger boat when launching on a beach.
The Big Gypsea Life rig — a Fuso Canter 4x4 towing a Jayco Journey
Greg from Big Gypsea Life built the loading system, which uses a winch to get the boat down to the ground
If the idea of a truck appeals, then a converted fire truck might be the answer. A family from Europe we met in Coral Bay, WA, were circumnavigating the country in an Isuzu FTS 700, still in its fire engine red livery but converted to storage instead of water tanks. A hydraulic crane lifted the 3.7m (12ft 1in) tinny on top. Their 7.9m (26ft) Leader caravan was as big as you’ll see, and the combination made an impressive show. Similar recommissioned fire trucks from the 1990s hit the market between $30–50k and have impressive offroad capability with a 6.5L diesel engine, 18,000kg combined vehicle mass and low-range crawling ability. Some may have had a hard life but typically have low mileage for their age, so they make an interesting option.
A converted Isuzu FTS 700 fire truck with a tinny on top towing a big Leader van behind
Larger American utes or pickups have the power and size to throw a boat up on a rack without causing too much strain on the drivetrain. The 2500 versions of Dodge RAM/ Silverado/Ford F trucks have ample payloads, but the 1500 versions will need GVM surgery to be legal with a boat and suitable rack.
Read our guide to GVM upgrades to find out more.
The bigger units are popular with lifestyle bloggers like Chris and Miriam from Aussie Destinations Unknown. Their steroid-amped Chev Silverado 2500HD has every possible accessory and tows a sizable offroad van. They use a fold-up trailer to transport the 3.7m tinny to the water and a winch-powered rear-mount boat loader to lift it up top.
Bringing a boat on your trip can open up all kinds of adventures
The Aussie favourite, the LandCruiser, is more typical among roof toppers. These vehicles will require a GVM upgrade, and there are options for powered rear loaders or side loaders to accommodate boats up to 3.8m. With the upside-down tinny, a 200 Series towing a North Coast camper in western NSW appeared to be a practical setup. David had a fold-up trailer attached to the back of the van, and since it weighed 41kg, he needed to ensure well-balanced weight distribution.
When I saw a RAM towing a big Kedron with a boat up top pulling into a service station, it highlighted the need for care when driving under bridges or awnings. He had a bit to spare, but you must know the overall height to avoid damage. Pulling into underground car parks would be a disaster.
Always be aware of your height and make sure you fit under overhangs
To keep things simple, a boat set up for sleeping on a trailer might be good idea. Many larger boats have bunks that convert to a double bed in the cabin, although they tend to be cramped and can be hot in the tropics. Bring a gazebo for a bit more cover and create an option for camping on swags. One setup we saw in Nhulunbuy, NT, was a boat trailer with the lot. Old mate had built a rooftop tent over a heavy-duty custom trailer, and while it looked rather cumbersome to unload, it would be ideal if staying in the one spot for a week or so.
One straightforward option for enclosed waters is inflatable boats, which come in sizes that can be rolled up into a bag. We met Marie and Zoran near Exmouth, WA. They had been exploring the reef in an Aqua Marina 335 with an 8hp Yamaha. Similar inflatables are priced around $1500, although those with Hypalon tubes are more expensive yet last longer and are more durable. The couple stored the deflated boat in their van and mentioned that it takes about 20 minutes to pump it up by hand, but 12V pumps are quite effective. Deflating and storing the boat takes about five minutes.
Packing the inflatable boat down
This serious rig pulled into Coolgardie, WA
I thought we had seen all the boating options when Peter and Astrid rolled into the town camp in Coolgardie, WA, with a rig that pushed boundaries. They’ve been travelling in their 1990 Scania bus for six years, towing a twin-deck custom trailer that houses a Nissan Patrol and a 4m boat. Not for the faint-hearted, their 22T travelling weight sucks down 38L/100km, and the 35-year-old bus with 800,000km needs regular maintenance and repair. Peter has plenty of boating experience and advised that, in many places, you need to get on the water early before the wind kicks in.
The wrap
For anyone looking to broaden their horizons while travelling, a boat offers a versatile option to bring home a feed of fresh fish for the family or explore what’s around the next headland. All aspects of remote travel need safety gear and a safety plan, and for boating, it’s especially important.
Preparation is essential because getting into trouble in remote areas can leave you stranded without help. So, have a backup plan, take the right equipment, including sun protection, an EPIRB or PLB, a first aid kit, plenty of water and food, and ensure someone knows where you are going.
THE NEXT STEP
If you want to learn the latest caravan news, find the most innovative new caravans, tow vehicles and camping gear or get inspired to plan your next caravan or fishing trip to some of Australia's best getaway destinations, subscribe to our weekly newsletter. We promise to send you only the best content.
Related articles:
Massive prize up for grabs! Enter the new Readers’ Rig of the Year comp now
Top 7 Australian islands to visit with your caravan
How to bring your boat on a caravanning adventure