Towing a tinnie to Cape York

[davo]

I was recently invited on a Cape York fishing trip. I have a 3.96 Clark Magnum which I will tow up but the biggest concern will be how to carry my Minnkota bowmount. I can't fit it in the car so carrying it in the boat is the only way. Has anyone had this problem and how did they mount it within the boat to secure it? Just to be difficult I think the Minnkota will not fit between the seats of the boat. I think a cut down is in order to fix that one. Anyway I am open to suggestions.

[fishwpa]

Maybe take an inflatable pool dinghy instead - problem solved.

[The Black Unicorn]

Maybe timber between thwarts and mount it to that?

[555mac]

Would it be any easier if you could put back in some of its original packaging (polystyrene box) and strap that in the boat, then fit up when up north.

[RayLamp]

Or just mount it on the bow where it would be when fishing?

[Short Fuse]

Hi Davo. What part of Cape York are you planning to go to?

The biggest problem you will encounter towing a tinny up to Cape York is the Peninsula Development Road. Once you leave the bitumen at Laura, you have around 500 kilometres of dirt road to Weipa. The road can be great if the road crews have just worked on it, or it can be horrendous, with corrugations that will tear your gear to pieces if not set up for it. The problem with the corrugation is that it is caused mainly by the heavily laden semis that smash their way across the road at high speed. The ridges of the corrugation end up being wider apart than the average 4WD tyre and even worse for a boat trailer. Be prepared to drive to the road conditions and many times that means painfully slowly and set your gear up right and you should be able to get in and out without too many problems. My boat has been towed in to Weipa and back on an annual basis for around 8 years now and has not had any major issues.


I mount my electric on a 400mm x 400mm piece of timber that has several strips of 50mm velcro on the underside. The velcro holds the timber to the carpet on the front casting deck and I then tie it in as well to ensure it cannot move while travelling. The head of the motor then sits on top of a rolled up foam mattress to protect it as well. AS you can see from the photo above, protecting everything is the key to getting your gear to destination in one piece. I wrap the motor completely in pallet wrap to seal out the dust and ensure the wrap stays in place with a couple of rolls of duct tape. the leg of the motor sits inside an A frame that is mounted to the trailer frame so that it cannot move independently of the boat or trailer. The boat itself is also strapped down to the trailer at the front and back and then the travel cover goes on to help keep the dust out.

Another good bit of gear that is invaluable is a set of straps that run from my axle to the trailer frame in front of the axle. My trailer like many runs slipper springs and the last thing you want to do is break a slipper spring at speed up there as it will allow the axle to move backwards and likely tear everything to pieces underneath. I have even broken springs while travelling at slow speeds on the Development Road, and the straps held the axle in place and stopped any major damage.

The other things to do beforehand is to make sure that all bolts on your trailer are well tightened before you hit the dirt. A loose bolt will quickly drop and you end up with rollers and skids not holding the boat correctly and damage occurs. There are a few businesses in Weipa that make a very good living out of repairing damaged boats, trailers, caravans and even 4WDs that are not set up well enough to make it over the road in one piece, or else they drive in at mad speeds and tear everything to pieces before they get to their destination. Seen plenty of people get to Weipa only to lose 2 or even 3 days sitting around waiting for their boat or trailer to be repaired before they can go fishing. Take it sensibly, get your gear to your destination in one piece and you should have a great trip.

Cheers

Jeff

[Stressless]

What Jeff said, I wrap mine in an exercise mat and pack gear around it, and then tie everything that can, and will move, down.

Take spares, good Japanese bearings, u-bolts, nuts, spring, tools etc etc etc. I take a complete wheel hub with bearings fitted and grease packed in a vacuum sealed bag.

A great place to fish, you'll have a ball, Steve

[davo]

Thanks guys. I have most bases covered except the Minnkota. I am luck as my trailer is extremely strong. My mate is the brains trust. He has towed boats up to the Cape quite a few times. I am buying heaps of spares and I like the exercise mat idea. Time will tell.

[davo]

I had a brain wave and used an old double self inflating mattress. It looks like a big envelope and fits diagonally in the boat. 3 weeks to go. will let you all know how it goes.