Questions about car topping a TI vs trailering

Hi:

I am contemplating buying a Tandem Island. This article got me thinking: http://www.riveted-blog.com/2010/08/car-topping-the-hobie-tandem-island.html

I have a custom 4'x6' hard topped utility trailer with extendable tongue that I think would work great for transporting it, using the Hobie cradles on my existing Yakima bars (if I re-spaced the bars to the recommended 67 inches).

I am concerned about the extreme rear overhang of the main hull - I would hate to swing the stern and amas into a concrete post or get tail ended by a near-sighted driver.

Here's the trailer with tongue all the way in - it can extend out an additional 30 inches... http://www.spokanister.net/images_web/Trailer/Trailer-023.JPG

Here's the truck - I can easily get the same 67 inch bar spacing, but the roof is pretty high up there: http://www.spokanister.net/images_web/LX450_John/LX450-06.JPG

My main question to you all is: given no restrictions to your budget or storage.... would you choose a trailer for ease of launching and loading, or would you use roof carry for the better protection from road hazards and the MUCH more convenient overall vehicle length? BTW: I camp in National Forests, and both roof carry and a super long trailer are potential hazards on dirt roads.

Also, with the cross bar height of 48 inches on my trailer, do you think one person could easily lift a fully rigged TI bow onto the rear cradle, or would that be too high for the amount of weight? I imagine that two adults would have no problem.

I think that I could rig a simple hand crank boat winch onto the front of the trailer that would lift the boat up and out of the water onto the bars with no sweat. What do you think of that?

Oooh - for that matter.... I could mount a small boat winch to the top of my front bull bar to lift and pull the TI onto both roof cross bars. That way I could roof-mount a TI with the amas in place.



Thanks for your comments. I guess I would have a better idea of the issues if I actually test sail a TI.... I suspect I really should get an Oasis to make the transport situation more practical.

John Davies
Spokane WA

Sorry, your links didn't open for me. But this will get you started and should open:
viewtopic.php?f=71&t=22849

You can get a lot of great advice by reading and posting here:
viewforum.php?f=73

Thanks for the links. Try opening those attachments again - I forgot to disable "Hotlink Protection" for this site... they should work OK now.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Well, with the injuries I now have, and look back how they could have been avoided, trailer all the way.
Dirt roads and bush tracks, I would rather handle length than have height issues. If it is to long, then you can detach the trailer to manoeuvre it separately, then continue on, with height issues, you either have to unload/reload or have an environmental impact and cut off tree limbs etc.
Can you have the 30" extension modified. With the trailer height you have, I think you could safely make the extension bar longer and shorten the over hang (which should also balance towing weight/length), I would also have a taillight mounted on an extension bar (off the top) for the rear so it clearly marks both the sides/back of the remaining overhang and large reflectors mounted in the middle of the trailer.

If like you said, "given no restrictions to your budget or storage" I would have a custom trailer built, based on a boat trailer design, however to accommodate camping and travel, I would have a detachable (on 4 wind up legs that extend from the sides to clear the trailer base) box section with a fold out camper mounted on top.
The box section would include stove/storage etc in draws, small double camper bed on the top with fold out cover and awning.

You could then set camp, detach the trailer main and boat launch the TI, reverse back under, pack camp and move on. If only being used on day trips, then leave the camper home.