Finding the right boat for your caravanning travels can be tricky, but Stessl Boats' range of aluminium boats makes it simple. Designed to be lightweight, durable and versatile, Stessl’s car topper models allow you to take your Aussie adventures even further.
Stessl’s legacy in boatingFounded in 1975 by Alf Stessl, Stessl Boats is a tried-and-true name in Australia’s boating industry. Over the past 50 years it has gained a long-standing reputation for producing premium quality aluminium boats that are specifically designed for Australia’s diverse and challenging waterways.
The company has been a leader in aluminium boat designs, and some of its standout innovations can be seen in models such as the Edgetracker V-nose Punt and PlatetriX2 series of heavy-duty plate alloy boats.
Operating from a purpose-built facility in Coomera on the Gold Coast, Qld, Stessl Boats continues to uphold its tradition of quality and innovation, offering a broad range of boats to suit all kinds of maritime activities, whether that’s a leisurely cruise on the water or serious fishing expeditions. And, of course, this range includes some stellar options to add to your caravanning setup to take your adventures even further.
Stessl Boats is supported Australia-wide by its dealer network, ensuring that customers have access to expert advice and service wherever they are. Additionally, all car topper models are backed by a 24-month warranty.
Caravanning and fishing go hand-in-hand, so why not bring a boat along on your next caravanning adventure?
Built for Aussie adventures
All Stessl Boats models are crafted using advanced construction techniques to ensure every boat is built tough and ready for Australia’s demanding environments, both in and out of the water. Modern manufacturing equipment, including CNC machines, is used to ensure every aluminium component is precisely cut and crafted. Once complete, the components are pressed, folded and then rolled into shape, with carefully selected aluminium extrusions added to enhance strength and style while also avoiding unnecessary weight. This careful construction method means every boat is not only functional but also lightweight and strong.
Stessl Boats is known for its innovative design, advanced manufacturing techniques and understanding of Australia’s maritime conditions. A great example of its innovative designs is its hull designs, which can be seen on the Edgetracker range. This hull design includes a unique ‘edge’ bottom pressing, which provides a high level of stability and performance. This durability makes it perfect for activities like fishing and recreational boating, and it’s also light enough to easily load onto the roof of a tow vehicle.
The benefits of aluminium boats
Aluminium boats are one of the go-to choices for caravanners in Australia. They offer several key advantages, especially for those on the move. One of the biggest is their light weight, making them easy to get on top of the car, transport and launch. This is particularly valuable for caravanners who will be looking to conserve weight in their setup.
Aluminium is also highly durable, ensuring that these boats will stand the test of time, even when exposed to saltwater and extreme conditions. This durability is coupled with easy maintenance — there’s little worry about rust or long-term wear and, should the boat get damaged, repairs can be straightforward.
Stessl’s aluminium boats are designed to handle conditions that can be encountered on Australia’s varied waterways, which means they’re well suited to handling challenges in and out of the water when they accompany you on your caravanning trips.
Aluminium boats are a lightweight and durable option that can withstand Australia’s tough conditions in and out of the water
Choosing the right boat for your caravanning lifestyle
Choosing the right boat for a caravanning lifestyle requires careful consideration of size, weight, versatility and ease of transport. Here are some key factors the team at Stessl Boats highlighted to help newcomers make the right choice.
1. Vehicle capacity
The first step in choosing a car topper boat is understanding the weight limits of your tow vehicle. While larger vehicles, such as big American trucks, can handle larger boats with ease, smaller vehicles (even something like a LandCruiser 200 Series) may require a gross vehicle mass (GVM) upgrade to ensure safe and legal transport. Remember to factor in the boat, rack and gear weights when considering what size best suits your setup.
The lightweight nature of Stessl’s aluminium boats makes them ideal for caravanners but always do the maths first.
2. Size matters
For easy car topping, a smaller boat is often the best choice. A compact and lightweight tinnie, like the Stessl Edgetracker or Vagabond (more on these later), are ideal for carrying on top of your vehicle while you tow your caravan and are easy to launch. Larger boats, will, of course, be heavier and more difficult to manoeuvre, potentially impacting your payload capacity and making lifting them on and off your vehicle more challenging.
3. Safety and stability
Safety is crucial when selecting a boat, especially if you’re heading out to more remote areas or unfamiliar waters. It’s important to ensure that the boat is stable and safe for varying conditions — while boaters might always wish for the perfect day on the water, that’s not always the case. Look for boats with a stable hull design and a wide beam for better handling in rough waters. While smaller boats are easier to transport, they can be less stable on choppy or open water. Always stay within your boat’s limits and be mindful of water conditions before heading out.
Perfect Stessl Boats for car topping
Stessl offers a range of boats suitable for car topping, ensuring that caravanners and all kinds of outdoor adventurers can easily take their boats along for the ride. Here’s a closer look at some of the best options for caravanners.
Vagabond
The Vagabond is a popular and versatile Vee Bow punt-style boat that excels in shallow and inland waterways. This tinnie is stable, spacious and great for fishing, crabbing and general boating activities. With sizes ranging from 3m to 3.7m (9ft 8in–12ft 1in), the Vagabond is a great car topper choice that balances size with ease of handling.
Daredevil
Stessl’s Daredevil dinghy range is another great option, known for its robust construction and stability. Ranging from 3m to 4.34m (9ft 8in–14ft 2in), the Daredevil is well-suited for both leisure and fishing activities. It was specifically designed for exploring inshore waters easily and safely, and the size range means there are some ideal options for easy loading onto a roof rack.
Edgetracker
The Edgetracker range is perhaps the most iconic of Stessl’s offerings. Known for its unique hull design and exceptional handling, the Edgetracker is a firm favourite for caravanners. The boats are stable, with a wide beam that enhances performance even in choppy waters and the innovative ‘edge’ bottom pressing for extra durability. Available in sizes from 3.4m to 4.55m (11ft 2in–14ft 9in), the Edgetracker range includes car topper and trailer models, all with plenty of storage space for fishing gear and the like. Stessl’s attention to detail, such as fully welded foam filled seats and 3mm rolled ribs, ensures the boat is built to last.
The Stessl team is particularly proud of its recent addition to this range: the 370 Edgetracker GT (Grand Tourer); at 3.7m (12ft 1in), this model offers a great balance of stability and spacious comfort when on the water while also being small enough to use as a car topper with a suitable vehicle.
The 370 Edgetracker GT
Additional features and customisation
All three models are part of the Stessl Edge range, and there is the option to customise your boat with various options, such as different colour choices, outboard motors and additional features like flooring options and rails. This means you can tailor your boat to suit your specific needs and preferences, ensuring you get the most out of your caravanning and boating experience.
These boats are Stessl’s car topper appropriate boats; for other trailer-only options take a look at its Delta and PlatetriX2 ranges.
Advice for using a small boat
When using a small boat, such as Stessl’s car topper models, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind. These boats are best suited for calm waters such as lakes, rivers and sheltered bays, so avoid rough seas or fast-moving waters. Always check the weather conditions before heading out and wear a life jacket at all times. Ensure you’ve got the necessary safety equipment on board, such as a first aid kit (the SURVIVAL Boaties Bundle first aid kit is a good option) and reliable communication equipment like a personal locator beacon (PLB) and satellite phone. Overloading the boat can lead to safety hazards, so keep the weight balanced and only bring essential items. And last but not least, be sure to stay within your skill level hen operating the boat.
Keep an eye out for John Ford’s upcoming article featuring advice about using a small boat and some unique ways you can bring them on your caravanning adventures.
Small boats like these are best suited for calm waters, so stick to the conditions and your skill level
Discover more with Stessl
Stessl Boats offers a range of lightweight, durable and premium quality aluminium boats that have been designed by Aussies for Aussie adventures, both in and out of the water. Whether you’re interested in the versatile Vagabond, the popular Edgetracker or the robust Daredevil, there’s a Stessl boat designed for easy car topping and smooth performance on the water. For more information, head to Stessl Boats website to explore its full range of car topper-friendly models.
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