Why don't you see roof racks on Cats...

[capcook]

Hi all...

Sorry if this has been discussed but I couldn't find it ...

Was wondering why you don't see any roof racks on Cats... is it due to the weight being too high up, or no one wants to bore a hole in the saloon roof, or it would make you look like a Red Neck at a garage sale ?

I was thinking of something like this to store the inflatables e.g. kayak's, paddle boards, Kite Board stuff... etc.. bulky but light stuff... thoughts ?

[boatman61]

If you don't mind the extra windage... no reason why not..

[GeoPowers]

Initial thoughts are with a 50' cat you will have plenty of storage space. The main issue will be keeping weight down...

Frank

[Roy M]

I don't have it constructed yet, but I will be constructing a draining, slab-sided enclosure atop my sterncastle roof of my Searunner trimaran, and capping it with a custom-made sailing dinghy, inverted, atop the enclosure. In laying it out, with the bow forward and bottom up, it occurred to me that it looked exactly like the roof rack you mentioned. I'm thinking of using it to store my ditch bag and other supplies. Cut the restraints, toss the boat over the side, pass the goodies and clamber aboard. That's the scenario for a fire, which I fear far more than sinking. Capsize would require more floatation to the ditch bag.

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by GeoPowers

Initial thoughts are with a 50' cat you will have plenty of storage space. The main issue will be keeping weight down...

Frank

right answer. "down" as in light (not low).
If you need extra storage space on a 50' cat you're taking too much stuff, and the boat will sail like a dog.

[s/v Jedi]

I think it's a great idea! You could mount at least 3 or 4 of those and take all the goodies you want to wherever you want!

You can even mount a couple under the bridge deck for extra space or extra comfort during inverted mode

Here are a couple of extra ideas to increase storage space aboard cats:

[Cheechako]

Frankly... I dont see them on monos!

[Deepdraft]

Cats can't carry much weight - better to get a large dog.

[Lancerbye]

You mean you would have to mount the boom even higher to prevent the roof rack from being destroyed by a swinging boom? That means less sail area, slower boat, kinda defeating the fast cat idea.

[S/V Alchemy]

I have a pilothouse mono and have consider this on the pilothouse roof to carry light stuff like fenders, boat hooks and other stuff that would go into the cockpit lockers I do not have. It might be a solution for a valise-style liferaft stowage, although most most that next to the mast or onto aft stanchions.

I would have questions about their durability and ability to resist corrosion, shearing forces and occasional wave whack. Clearly, they can resist highway speeds, but few cars are sideswiped by rogue waves.

So while I wouldn't reject the idea outright, I would question whether it is practical. Perhaps it is on a cat...you'd want to paint it a lighter colour, however!

[capcook]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Here are a couple of extra ideas to increase storage space aboard cats:

Ha... I really like the Tiki idea.... hum you got me thinkin now...

cheers