Have you ever wanted to take your caravan or camper trailer along with your boat? Well you no longer need to as you can use boat hire platforms like MatesBoat™ to hire a boat instead!
Have the Experience of Boat Hire Whilst Caravanning –
When I travelled around Australia a few years back I saw all different approaches to taking a boat whilst towing a caravan.
The first thing we need to understand is that you cannot tow more than 1 trailer in Australia. So how do you take your boat and caravan?
There are a few options available to you including putting the boat on top of your camper trailer, caravan or car. All these approaches have their pros and cons.
I think the short answer is that there is no perfect way to combine carting your boat around and towing your caravan at the same time.
If you want the easiest, most cost effective and convenient way to enjoy the boating experience whilst travelling with your caravan then you should consider boat hire.
When you hire a boat you get to choose the right time, place and type of boat to use. Australia is a big place and not all boats are suited to all areas and conditions.
Why not just hire a boat that is right for the area you are visiting? You get to have all the enjoyment of boating with our family and friends without the costs and hassles of carting it around.
Should you place a boat on your car or caravan?
The first question that comes to mind when considering putting your boat on your car or caravan is the weight.
When doing this you are clearly restricted by the weight and size of your boat. The Australian law is very strict about towing weights and when travelling it is likely your rig will be weighed.
If your payload capacity is limited, equipping your vehicle with a boat loader, boat, outboard motor, and additional gear will consume a significant portion of your available capacity.
You will also need to have a solution for getting your boat on and off? You will need to have some type of winch or boat loader set up.
How do you get your boat off the car or caravan and actually into the water? You will need a way of rolling it to the water. Are you able to do this by yourself? Once again size is a limiting factor. How do you recover your boat from the water and get it back on your car, often by yourself?
Consideration needs to be given to how convenient it is to get the boat in and out of the water… I was talking to a guy who said it took him over 2 hours to get his boat setup and on the water. Seemed along time to me…..?
Some “experts” claim that having a boat upside down on your car will reduce wind drag on your caravan and therefore reduce fuel costs. I’m not convinced that this is a significant factor as the additional weight and size could negate any advantages.
Weight distribution is very important when setting up your method of carting your boat. Altering it can potentially affect braking distance and stability, particularly in emergency situations.
Will your insurance company cover you in an accident? It is a must to check with your insurance company, you don’t want to find out when its too late that you are not insured. Is it worth the risk when you hire a boat easily and conveniently?
Additional Equipment Needed
When taking your own boat you need to consider the additional equipment required including, safety equipment, fuel, spares, tools for maintenance, outboard engine and life jackets.
All this equipment requires space to store and it again adds additional weight.
When I travelled around Australia I had a 200 series Landcruiser and a ‘Retreat’ caravan with 3 children and the wife.
We were maxed with our weight and storage space as it was, so there was no chance of taking a boat. This is one of the reasons why I hired a boat in several locations around Australia.
What is the perfect boat to take with you?
Is there a perfect boat for carting around Australia or to your favourite caravanning destination? Probably not!
With over 60,000 kilometres of coastline, plus 1,000’s of inland water boating waterways it is unlikely you can find a boat to suit all the opportunities.
When carting a boat on top of your vehicle or caravan you are limited by the length, width and engine capacity.
If we look at the purchasing cost of a small tinny (which is pretty much all you can cart) of around $5,000 to $10,000 plus a boat loader system of upwards of $2,500 it starts becoming a large outlay.
The small size of the boat able to be carried means that you are limited in the distance offshore you can go and also limited in the weather conditions. A bigger boat will generally mean a smoother and more comfortable and enjoyable ride.
Boat Hire opportunities around Australia can start from as little as a few hundred dollars for a couple of hours.
MatesBoat™ has several boats available and you can get a great fishing vessel for $500 for a full day. No setup, no towing, no maintenance or repairs, no cleaning and the boat will be suitable for the area you are in.
Minimise your environmental footprint while experiencing Australia’s beauty
Carting a boat around Australia along with a caravan/camper trailer isn’t really the most efficient and cost effective way of getting the boating experience.
I can almost guarantee that the boat will stay on top of the car or caravan more than it will be on the water. The hassle of getting it on and off may also lead to it staying where it is.
The impact on the environment albeit relatively small is a consideration. The extra weight being towed will clearly use more fuel and have an impact on the environment.
Renting a boat not only alleviates the extra fuel issue but when using a platform like MatesBoat™, you get to share a boat with the owner and it reduces the manufacturing wastes, and emissions.
Boat Hire Flexibility
The freedom to roam across both land and water opens up a world of adventure.
Enhance your travelling experience by hiring a boat and not dragging a boat that will likely only be used a couple of times.
Boat Hire provides unmatched convenience of having everything you need for your water explorations, simplifying travel logistics and enhancing your overall enjoyment.
No stress of looking after your boat. It is hard enough sometimes maintaining your caravan on long trips let alone worrying about the boat.
Explore the land with your vehicle and hire a boat in the best locations. Get the right boat for the right conditions in the best areas.
Conclusion
While the allure of carting your own boat alongside your caravan may seem appealing, the practicalities and costs involved often outweigh the benefits.
By opting for boat hire, travellers can fully immerse themselves in the beauty of Australia’s waterways without the logistical burdens of dragging a boat around with them.
Boat hire emerges as a superior alternative, offering unparalleled flexibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.
Embrace the simplicity and freedom of hiring a boat that is tailored to the conditions of the area you are boating. Having the right boat for the waterway you are visiting greatly enhances your experience.
MatesBoat™ is a boat hire & sharing platforming designed to make Boating For Everyone!
