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Home >> Top Tips >> TopTip2020 #71 - Single-Handed Car Topping - Peter Barton, GBR
TopTip2020 #71 
Single-Handed Car Topping 
by Peter Barton, GBR

' Single-Handed Car Topping
One huge benefit of the light weight RS Aero hull and rig is in the ease of loading and transportation.
3 - Three people, when available, is a good minimum number for a straight lift, if you are all fit and tall enough.
2 - Rather than struggling with a two person lift then the single-handed method 'one end at a time' with two people together may be preferable. Combining to do it this way is easier than a straight two man lift as you are only lifting half the boat at a time and the other end is stationary, so you are not committed to lifting in sync.
1 - Having several helpers to load is preferable but sometimes you are on your own. The single-handed method provides flexibility for those able, when car topping alone either at home or late at the sailing club when nobody is about.

Tools
 - One sailing kit bag and one picnic rug.

Method
- Tie the boat to the trolley at the bow and amidships first. Then they lift as one and you only have to then tie the trolley to the roof bars or car after
- Place the boat diagonally overlapping the back of the car
- Put some padding under the transom, e.g. a sailing kit bag, a tyre or mat
- Put some padding on the back of the car, e.g. a rug or some carpet
- Taking the wheels off is optional, depending on the fit and journey length
- Depending on the balance and fit you could have either the axle or rear bar snug up against the rear roof bar
- It is possible to do this with all the kit in the boat; 3 rigs, 3 sails and 2 foils, but then it is getting heavier. Taking gear out will help to keep it light

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfA1OZvCbbY

Other Examples
- Johan from Germany with a slightly taller car;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCYDIt1ix3U
- Noah at speed. Note custom roof bar, at the back of the car for ease; https://www.facebook.com/100008377114284/videos/2312806955675186/
- Down lift is easier! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlb6SJjb2jQ

Which Way Up?
- The UK supplied standard 'A' frame gunwale hung RS Aero 'trolley' is ideal for loading the right way up together like this, as they cradle and protect the RS Aero. With the raised side decks all the kit (rigs, foils & sails) can stay neatly on the boat under the covers.
- If you are using the more lightly built USA 'dolly' that dismantles then you likely need top car top the RS Aero upside down. In this case be sure to have sufficient fat padding on the bars to protect the top of the deck and don't be temped to ratchet it down overly hard. '

Roof Bars
- The UK supplied trolley's longitudinals are 114cm wide (check your own, just in case of version change). So you need a few cm wider than that. My roof rack is 120cm wide not including end caps which I think is good as a minimum.
- The width inside the trolley wheels is 128cm, so I can leave my wheels on and they sit neatly outside the rear roof rack bar.
- Some cars are limited to narrower roof bars. Then you need to lash the trolley cross beam/axle very tightly directly on top of the rear roof bar. The trolley narrows going forward to engage the front roof bar.
- For upside down, check deck high point width  '



Reply
18/06/2020 23:53:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4627


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