is it possible to design a cartopper that can sleep 2 overnight?

[Tiny Turnip]

Below is a photo of Clemens' (an active forum member) modified seacycle, posted by Rick Willoughby in the pedal powered boats thread.

Irrespective of the power plant, it shows the potential for a tent on a small car topable catamaran.

My own pedal powered cat will also take a tent, but at 17 feet long, it is pushing the limits of car topability.

[BATAAN]

Originally Posted by cor

Sleeping in the boat would also be nice in some wilderness areas. Many times it is hard to find a suitable campsite on shore. It may be wet, thick brush, rocky,etc.

C.O.
whatsintheshop.blogspot.com

Don't forget mosquitoes and bears and of the two the tiny insect will torture you the most. A screened platform or cuddy of some sort anchored offshore even a short distance makes all the difference. Tent on catamaran works for many.

[michael pierzga]

Originally Posted by thedutchtouch

i can't get online every day, but i am actively interested and reading the thread.

my reasons for this idea are that there are areas around me where it's legal to anchor overnight, but no shore access/no camping allowed. it seems that the catamaran is the way to go, however it poses tons of it's own design challenges.

Why not use a trailer ? A decent boat for cruising , sleeping in, is going to weigh at least 100 kg. Going to be a challenge to car top a 100 kg boat...you would never be able to launch single handed. Perhaps build an ultra light trailer that comes apart and stores under your bed ?

[thedutchtouch]

Originally Posted by michael pierzga

Why not use a trailer ? A decent boat for cruising , sleeping in, is going to weigh at least 100 kg. Going to be a challenge to car top a 100 kg boat...you would never be able to launch single handed. Perhaps build an ultra light trailer that comes apart and stores under your bed ?

some day, yes, however my car currently has a roofrack and does not have a hitch.

[hoytedow]

Originally Posted by michael pierzga

Why not use a trailer ? A decent boat for cruising , sleeping in, is going to weigh at least 100 kg. Going to be a challenge to car top a 100 kg boat...you would never be able to launch single handed. Perhaps build an ultra light trailer that comes apart and stores under your bed ?

Perhaps this link will help.: http://www.boatloader.com/boatloader.html

[KJL38]

How about this design based on a Puddle Duck Racer? http://www.woodworkforums.com/f169/o...oatmik-125521/

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/ko...cean_explorer/

[Dirteater]

KJL38.
thanks for throwing that link in.
very interesting design.

[michael pierzga]

Originally Posted by hoytedow

Perhaps this link will help.: http://www.boatloader.com/boatloader.html

Hmm Boatloader ? not bad.... Guess that what these guys use ?

[hoytedow]

haha. The first one maybe. The second one had a trailer.

[rwatson]

Originally Posted by KJL38

How about this design based on a Puddle Duck Racer? http://www.woodworkforums.com/f169/o...oatmik-125521/

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/ko...cean_explorer/

To quote from the link

"The boat, though light unladen - when loaded up will be hard to move around - so there is a trolley plan included too.

Actually should mention the extras in the plan.
Boomtent including break down poles
Trolley for getting the boat on an off the trailer "
Not really car toppable.

This picture is my 16ft canoe on top of the ute. The white "ute top" is a "double bed" camper from Maggiolina made by Autohome ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff5B5...eature=related )

The canoe is easy to get on and off with two people (about 35 kilos) , the tent (with a fibreglass base and roof, metal struts, mattress tent sides etc ) is much, much heavier (about 120 kilos).

The canoe is big enough for two people to sleep in, but not with much gear.