Rooftop Cargo Box

W

wincrasher

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 3, 2013
Messages
110
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Vessel Name
Tugtanic
MMSI Number
338209998
I've notice a couple pics of people with the rooftop cargo box/carrier. Seems like a worth while addition at first glance.

Would like to hear thoughts on how satisfied you are with it, how useful you think it is, and how well they hold up. Also, which size, brand will fit a 27?
 
I'm in the market for one of those as well. Looking to store bulky things that we don't need on a regular basis - like extra life jackets and fenders. Don't want one too long or too wide so we can also use the cargo box on our SUV from time-to-time.

I have narrowed the list down to the Yakima RocketBox 14 ($419) or the Yakima SkyBox 16 ($499). Both offer either side opening so they can be positioned on the port or starboard side. Both are advertised to attach to our round bars with no problem. Haven't added a Thule cargo box to my short list as I think they are a bit too wide for use on our SUV.

Both of the above boxes can be mounted where the distance between bars is 24 to 36 inches so that should work on my R25 Classic.

Would appreciate feedback from folks that have been using cargo boxes.
 
I have the Yakima Skybox on my 25 classic. Don't buy new, there are a bunch on craigslist at around 100 bucks. It swallows up foldable chairs, fenders and all the canvas pieces. don't worry if you get one with now key... there is a guy on eBay that will sell you the install key which removes the core and then give him the core# and then get the right key for 5 b bucks .

It clamps on tight and I have mine on the starboard side to balance out some of the weight.
 
I installed a ski box on our R25 last summer. It is one we used on our vehicles for a few years. It is a Sport Rack model bought on sale at Canadian Tire. I just had to move the bars of the roof rack to a suitable distance apart. It provides valuable additional storage space for fenders, spare lifejackets etc. The only downside is the roof hatches on one side are restricted in their operation.
 
scross":2r779cex said:
I'm in the market for one of those as well. Looking to store bulky things that we don't need on a regular basis - like extra life jackets and fenders. Don't want one too long or too wide so we can also use the cargo box on our SUV from time-to-time.

I have narrowed the list down to the Yakima RocketBox 14 ($419) or the Yakima SkyBox 16 ($499). Both offer either side opening so they can be positioned on the port or starboard side. Both are advertised to attach to our round bars with no problem. Haven't added a Thule cargo box to my short list as I think they are a bit too wide for use on our SUV.

Both of the above boxes can be mounted where the distance between bars is 24 to 36 inches so that should work on my R25 Classic.

Would appreciate feedback from folks that have been using cargo boxes.
Click to expand...

Do you think the 16 will fit (width wise)? I have the solar panel - I was thinking only the 12 (at 24" wide) would fit. https://www.yakima.com/skybox-12-carbonite
 
I did a rough measurement of the R25 sport rack bar width and came up with about 78 inches of usable space. The Yakima Rocket Box 14 is 33 inches wide and the Space Box 16 is 36 inches wide. I don't have a solar panel. Going on memory here but I think the 140 solar panels are about 28 inches wide. IF that's correct then both of those two cargo boxes I mentioned should fit with enough room between the cargo box and solar panel to open the cargo box without difficulty.
 
I am presently doing the great loop and needed the extra storage space. I purchased a "Thule" brand Luggage rack from Sears while they were on sale for a very reasonable price. It installed very easily, it has a lock and is very waterproof. Dry as a bone when a thunderstorm dropped about 8 inches of water overnight and during continuous sprays of saltwater while pressing on into head seas. Looks as new as the day I installed it, no fading after 6 months in the Florida sun.
Dwain Dumas
"Lydia" R-25
 
There a couple of boxes with clamp down tops, at Bass Pro - approx 36 X 20 x10 or so; and priced at $40 or so. Has anyone tried one ?
 
On the wider boxes the smokestack becomes the main clearance issue for my R25 Classic. My measurements are probably NOT valid for the R25SC. The smokestack's width in the center limits how far forward you can place the cargo box on the wider models. You don't want both wide and long. By positioning the Rocket Box 14 or the Space Box 16 as far forward as they can go without any interference with the smokestack, the ends of the boxes should extend about 15" and 22" respectively aft of the rear bar of the sports rack. On the Space Box 16, this will mean the end of the box extends about a foot or so into the cockpit area. The Rocket Box 14 would extend about 6 to 8 inches. The cargo box would be pretty high up and I don't think it would interfere with climbing out to the side mid-ship railings.

All that said, I'm now strongly leaning to the Rocket Box 14.
 
We've used the Yakima skybox pro 12 for 3 seasons, and it has performed well, and trailering well at freeway speeds.

Keeps stuff dry on the inside and since it opens either side, can mount either side of solar panel with clamps builtin.

Spread on crossbars on our R27 is 37 inches, so well within range.

New model from Yakima is Skybox 12 Carbonite,
https://www.yakima.com/skybox-12-carbonite

Has superceded the old model with basically same features.

A quality product all in all.
 
Doing sea trail on new R27 in Charleston Thursday with probable purchase.Live in Easley and noticed you live in area.Would like to communicate with you on your journey with your boat.Will initially keep boat at Portman marina to shake out and then back to coast.Did you upgrade helm seat? Tinting of Windows ? These are dealer installed options.You may have seen the boat I am buying at Longshore.2015. Good luck.
 
Yes, send me a PM if you like.

The Windows come tinted already. My helm seat is standard, but seems quite nice.
 
We just purchased a Yakima Rocketbox Pro 11 for our R-29S, and to use on our Subaru Forester. The box will fit the crossbar spacing on both. It is 24" wide x 89" long. The width seems to me to be a good fit on the cabin top, leaving plenty of room for the solar panel and easy reach to the contents of the box. Our first use will be next week for a road trip in the Forester.
 
I have a Thule cargo box mounted on my R27. There is lots of width available even with a solar panel installed. Note that changing the bow to stern bar spacing may not be an option when a solar panel is mounted. I do recall that I shifted the panel over a bit to gain better side to side clearance. One wants to avoid as much as possible having the box cast a shadow on the solar panel for low angle sunlight. Actually I raised the panel several inches to reduce possible shadowing . This, I expect, was just me being overly cautious. Consider as well that the box mounting clamps are not designed for marine use. When mounting my Thule box, I fabricated stainless steel brackets.
 
I got my Yakima Skybox 12 Carbonite delivered over the weekend. Haven't had a chance to mount it on the boat yet.

It's a beautiful box. Has a dimpled finish. Looks almost like carbon fiber from a distance. I can't imagine trying to fit a larger box than this on a 27.

25617259362_508945e1d5_z.jpg
 
REI of Medford had their quarterly garage sale this past Saturday morning so I stood out in the cold rain for 2 hours to see what they had on sale. I ended up with an as new Yakima RocketBox Pro 12 for about 70% off Amazon's new price. This cargo box is a little smaller than the RocketBox Pro 14 that I was hoping to find but the price was too good to pass up.

I have added two photos of the cargo box installed on Our Journey's sport rack in my photo album. There is plenty of clearance all around. The cargo box doesn't come close to center of the rack so there's plenty of room on the port side for a kayak, solar panel or bike rack. The RocketBox Pro 14 would have also fit just fine with plenty of room to spare.

It has been noted on the Amazon reviews that the Pro 12 can lift up at the forward lip at high speeds. Since Our Journey can hit a max speed of 65 mph on I-5, I have drilled a small hole through the front lip flange of the cargo box and am using a releasable tie wrap to snug everything down - just in case.

The RocketBox Pro 12 looks a bit more matronly than the sleeker long nosed cargo boxes but from the side step I can reach every square inch of the inside. And, it doesn't cover up the roof hatches! Now to load it up with the light but bulky fenders, spare life jackets and such!
 
Looking at the photos of these boxes on Rangers; it would seem that the vertical legs of the bars could be cut down in height. If possible, this would allow easier access into the box and reduce its visual impact.
 
There is a raised section of the roof above the door between the cabin and the cockpit. This raised section cannot be seen in the above photo. The sport bars need to be high enough to clear the roof section.
 
Osprey":7snf1l8g said:
There is a raised section of the roof above the door between the cabin and the cockpit. This raised section cannot be seen in the above photo. The sport bars need to be high enough to clear the roof section.
Click to expand...

25287446453_951787ed5b_z.jpg
 
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