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Easy cat car topping...my new rack #157778
10/21/08 01:03 AM
10/21/08 01:03 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
ejpoulsen Offline OP
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ejpoulsen  Offline OP
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Central California
Just created a van rack to carry my cat. I wanted it to be no more hassle than a trailer and allow me to load/unload without assistance. Cost $50 for the ladder rack off Craig's list and $25 for wood, hardware, etc. The dolly is essential--see photos. Drives very nice down the freeway. Not shown are the mast cradles--the stick hangs over each bumper about 5 feet.

Attached Files
DSC_0012.jpg (454 downloads)
DSC_0015.jpg (452 downloads)
DSC_0017.jpg (448 downloads)

Eric Poulsen
A-class USA 203
Ultimate 20
Central California
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: ejpoulsen] #157779
10/21/08 01:05 AM
10/21/08 01:05 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
ejpoulsen Offline OP
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ejpoulsen  Offline OP
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Central California
more loading pics

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DSC_0019.jpg (438 downloads)
DSC_0022.jpg (432 downloads)
DSC_0026.jpg (430 downloads)

Eric Poulsen
A-class USA 203
Ultimate 20
Central California
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: ejpoulsen] #157780
10/21/08 01:09 AM
10/21/08 01:09 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
ejpoulsen Offline OP
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ejpoulsen  Offline OP
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Central California
I'm ready to load the mast and hit the road. The front beam wedges under a foam-covered bracket; then I strap down the back beam and it's rock solid. I can load or unload in about 5 minutes.

Attached Files
DSC_0034.jpg (434 downloads)

Eric Poulsen
A-class USA 203
Ultimate 20
Central California
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: ejpoulsen] #157788
10/21/08 03:25 AM
10/21/08 03:25 AM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,582
“an island in the Pacifi...
hobie1616 Offline
Carpal Tunnel
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“an island in the Pacifi...
Nice!


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Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: hobie1616] #157795
10/21/08 07:14 AM
10/21/08 07:14 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4
South Shore, Long Island, NY
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gtny Offline
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Ingenious....well done!
Have a few questions:
1) Assuming those are cat trax wheels....do they rest in any sort of slot on the rear of the rack?
2)Are the rear cradles just scooped out 2"x10"s?
3) Can you send add'l photos?
Thanks!

Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: ejpoulsen] #157796
10/21/08 07:21 AM
10/21/08 07:21 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 40
Mesa, AZ
basketcase Offline
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Posts: 40
Mesa, AZ
Now THIS is what I am talking about. Though, you are putting an Acat up there, what kind of weight limit will that rack support? I have been tryign to think this through, as I want to be in the same situation because I cant pull 2 trailers in AZ and sometimes going to Cali sucks driving at 55 on a freeway, with a 1500k trailer behind me. But here are some of my caveats, that I have thought about.

1. Own a Nacra 20, so I dont know if I can manage lifting my boat up on top there single handed. Maybe a pulley system to get it up, then drive underneath it?
2. Own a suburban and I believe the van racks use the drippers on the side for support, so dont really wanna use the cheap rack system for the weight. So, thinking of running a system off the front and rear bumpers, but be able to pull a toy hauler if need be. Thing is, steel has gone through the roof, so a little hesitant on that.

I would like to see more pics though.

Jonathan Grant
Mesa, AZ
Nacra 20

Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: ejpoulsen] #157814
10/21/08 10:47 AM
10/21/08 10:47 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 984
2017 F18 Americas Site
Dan_Delave Offline
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2017 F18 Americas Site
Eric:

That is a very nice system. I had to send the link to Pete M. He always carries his A-cat on the top of his van. I see that you got an A3. I met you when you were looking at Jay Glaser's Boyer. Who's boat did you pick up?

Later,
Dan

Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: basketcase] #157816
10/21/08 10:55 AM
10/21/08 10:55 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
ejpoulsen Offline OP
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ejpoulsen  Offline OP
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Central California
This rack is rated for 500 lbs, but I also have a third cross bar if I wanted to add it. The dolly is a Seitech dolly but any dolly would work. The dolly sits in hooks, visible in the photos--they're the hooks sold for hanging your bicycle in the garage. I hate driving 55 with my trailer here in California; I can tell you that the boat feels very solid at freeway speeds with no appreciable wind noise either. I haven't checked my MPG yet, though wink

Attached Files
DSC_0002.JPG (358 downloads)
DSC_0003.JPG (356 downloads)
DSC_0035.JPG (356 downloads)

Eric Poulsen
A-class USA 203
Ultimate 20
Central California
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: ejpoulsen] #157818
10/21/08 11:01 AM
10/21/08 11:01 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
ejpoulsen Offline OP
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ejpoulsen  Offline OP
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Central California
Mast cradles--two of them--one sits on each crossbar, so the mast goes under the tramp and is very secure and safe. Also, when I'm rigging alone I can sit the mast in the rear cradle, making the process of raising the mast easier.

Attached Files
DSC_0005-sm.jpg (347 downloads)

Eric Poulsen
A-class USA 203
Ultimate 20
Central California
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: Dan_Delave] #157819
10/21/08 11:03 AM
10/21/08 11:03 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
ejpoulsen Offline OP
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ejpoulsen  Offline OP
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Central California
Originally Posted by Dan_Delave
Eric:

That is a very nice system. I had to send the link to Pete M. He always carries his A-cat on the top of his van. I see that you got an A3. I met you when you were looking at Jay Glaser's Boyer. Who's boat did you pick up?

Later,
Dan


It's Howie Hamlin's A2--Howie did a lot of tuning with it but I'm fixing up a few things right now.


Eric Poulsen
A-class USA 203
Ultimate 20
Central California
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: Dan_Delave] #157823
10/21/08 11:12 AM
10/21/08 11:12 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 749
Santa Cruz, CA
SurfCityRacing Offline
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SurfCityRacing  Offline
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Posts: 749
Santa Cruz, CA
Good one Eric!
Here are some pics of a fully automatic loader for a guy to trailer his truck and H16 behind a motorhome. Works well for the heavier boats.
[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

For more pics go here:
Truck Rack


Last edited by SurfCityRacing; 10/21/08 11:13 AM.
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: SurfCityRacing] #157857
10/21/08 03:55 PM
10/21/08 03:55 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 749
Santa Cruz, CA
SurfCityRacing Offline
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Santa Cruz, CA
It's a great way to open up a hitch for towing other boats.

[Linked Image]

Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: SurfCityRacing] #157868
10/21/08 04:47 PM
10/21/08 04:47 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 40
Mesa, AZ
basketcase Offline
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basketcase  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 40
Mesa, AZ
On the H16 setup, that is what I am envisioning.... I still question the weight to ge the bows up to the starting position. Maybe it is just me, but I dont see him doing that by himself, without a hastle at least? Or am i missing something there? got any higher res pics???

Jonathan

Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: basketcase] #157872
10/21/08 05:06 PM
10/21/08 05:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,430
california
F-18 5150 Offline
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california
he has a winch to bring it up.


Richard Vilvens
Brand Ambassador
PSA Capricorn USA
R.Vilvens@yahoo.com
Fairfield, Ca
F-18 5150

http://www.capricornsailing.com/
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: F-18 5150] #157895
10/21/08 09:12 PM
10/21/08 09:12 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 613
New Hampshire, USA
windswept Offline
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windswept  Offline
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Posts: 613
New Hampshire, USA
I like your system. I used to cartop my Boyer until I built a trailer for it.


Tom Siders
A-Cat USA-79
Tornado US775
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: windswept] #158207
10/24/08 09:50 PM
10/24/08 09:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 10
A
andre1 Offline
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Posts: 10
Is the weight of the boat resting on the beams of the boat ontop of the roof rack? Did you use a winch to pull it up?

Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: andre1] #158210
10/25/08 12:18 AM
10/25/08 12:18 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 749
Santa Cruz, CA
SurfCityRacing Offline
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Santa Cruz, CA
Nope. The hulls are resting on the cradles. Two dudes lifted it up there.

Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: SurfCityRacing] #158213
10/25/08 12:43 AM
10/25/08 12:43 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
ejpoulsen Offline OP
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ejpoulsen  Offline OP
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Central California
Whereas with my rack the boat is supported on its beams--preferable for an A.


Eric Poulsen
A-class USA 203
Ultimate 20
Central California
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: ejpoulsen] #158398
10/27/08 06:05 PM
10/27/08 06:05 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,582
“an island in the Pacifi...
hobie1616 Offline
Carpal Tunnel
hobie1616  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,582
“an island in the Pacifi...
If Jeremy was selling monohulls or power boats he'd probably move them like this.

[Linked Image]



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US Sail Level 3 Coach
Re: Easy cat car topping...my new rack [Re: ejpoulsen] #158420
10/27/08 10:25 PM
10/27/08 10:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 196
Arkansas, USA
C
CaptainKirt Offline
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CaptainKirt  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 196
Arkansas, USA
Eric!
I remember our conversation about this! Very nice!! Guess Momma's got her trailer to sleep in now! "Between F16's" must mean you sold your 4.9 already?? How do you like the A2?? I'm still working on the system I was talking about to carry on my truck but it won't be as simple/inexpensive/light as this one! Problem is my truck cap is >7' off the ground.

Kirt


Kirt Simmons
Taipan, Flyer

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