Storage Solutions

[pugtug613]

Has anyone used those car top storage units on their Ranger? They make solid and canvas type units. I was thinking of things like fenders, panels for the enclosure, life jackets or anything that takes up space that you don't use that often.
Chester

 

[Captain Steve]

I have been hitting Craigslist for both the Thule and Yacima models. Used they are in the 100 - 150 dollar range. Looking at the same idea. Fenders, PFDs, canvas parts, Cockpit carpet, etc. I have measured the bars on my r 25 and they are spaced for both types...

 

[Crewdog]

The Yakima Skybox Pro 12 fits very nicely on our 27.

Great extra storage space.

 

[cjfantz]

We love our Thule.....fits perfectly and stores all of our extra's

 

[Favunclerich]

I recommend that you reconsider buying a "cartop" carrier. Extra weight on these boats reduces both performance and fuel economy. Adding a lot of weight up high may also slightly reduce stability, particularly in a rolling sea.

In my experience with boats, stuff accumulates in every storage area and often doesn't reappear for years. The more space, the more stuff. Weight matters. I make a practice of emptying my boat after each extended cruise. This forces me to conscientiously sort and only put the important stuff back on for my next cruise. I have an R-25. My wife and I have spent over 400 nights aboard as we cruised Alaska, the Great Lakes, Florida and the ICW using only the storage space built into the boat. We were very comfortable.

Rich

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

I wonder if there's something similar that's not streamlined for highway speeds. By my reckoning, a simple box with the same exterior dimensions as a Yakima SkyBox 12 would have 70 percent more capacity.

 

[Crewdog]

true on the extra capacity, but it would be hard to duplicate the sealing ability of the lip on the manufactured roof rack boxes.

Our Yakima has not let in any water to speak of while underway, trailering at 65mph during a T-storm, or riding out a gale tied up at a slip.

we keep an extra anchor rode, 400 ft of stern tie line, the bimini top when not rigged up, the round magma grill and extra propane bottles, extra 12-packs of soda, snorkeling mask/fins, and on a cruise it's a good place to put garbage bags when we can't dump them right away.

we have it mounted on the starboard side, helping to offset the weight of the genset and a/c unit on the port.