F-Ribs And Sibs - Inflatable Boat Community

Dear all, I am a complete newbie who wants to get out there with my very first SIB! After a few weeks research mainly on this forum, I will go for the Honwave T38, and correct me if I am wrong, the T38 is one of the most discussed SIB in here, so I feel even more confident for this choice.
Anyway, I try to find the answer myself rather than bother members here but I tried without any luck, my question is quite straightforward, I do not have a estate car but a MPV like car, I am sure if I fold my back seats flat down, there will be no issue to fit the boat and the outboard with other bits and bobs. However we are a 4 people family, my wife and me plus 2 children(8yrs and 3 yrs), so I don't really want to leave any of them at home when heading down to the coast, therefore I really wish I can fit everything in the boot without folding any seats down. The only hesitation for getting a T38 is the size, I might be wrong (I hope! ), but on the official website, there is no folding size but only "packing size" which is 122 x 72 x 43 (in CM) which is too big to fit my boot, I was a bit disappointed to think we will never go on the holiday with the boat together, however having searching on youtube and seeing other member's photos, like @ChrisParish @Martin, I have some hope that the "packing size" meant to be the size of the packaging box, however still not 100% sure. I have taken some photos of my car boot space and indicated the general measurements on the photos, hope you can advise if that's even possible.
I don't want to use a trailer because living in London is not that practical (100 miles away from the seaside ), I even think to load the deflated boat on a roof rack, but with it's weight I need to look after my back The left over option is down size to T32 but I have seen many discussions here so really hope to go for T38, please any advice will help me!

Hi there ,one option you could use is the Karitek easy load roof system. Hinged and counterbalanced to make loading a doddle. Another member did use this system with a board mounted on it . The board was fitted with eyelets to strap the load securely in place. I will try and find the post for you.

Mine is roughly 130cm wide, that could be improved slightly with better rolling up. But definitely over 120cm either way.

Depth about 70cm and height 45cm

Hi again , there is some information on the Karitek in DIY and modifications ,search" sliding roof rack". The poster was @LoznMary . I nearly used this system myself as I have dogs in the back , but ended up towing. loz will be happy to answer any questions you may have!

Stewy wrote: ↑

15 May 2019, 13:32

Mine is roughly 130cm wide, that could be improved slightly with better rolling up. But definitely over 120cm either way.
Depth about 70cm and height 45cm

Many thanks for your reply Stewy, that just confirms it is the size I need to take into considerations.

Roy54 wrote: ↑

15 May 2019, 14:10

Hi again , there is some information on the Karitek in DIY and modifications ,search" sliding roof rack". The poster was @LoznMary . I nearly used this system myself as I have dogs in the back , but ended up towing. loz will be happy to answer any questions you may have!

Thanks Roy for the info, I will take a look at this solution, do not want to say good bye to the T38 tho!
Also I did mention that I do not want to towing, however just saw something on amazon, what do you think? I need to do more research on those alternative options.

I've just gone down the same route and decided that the tow ball mounted cargo rack or 'shelf' was my best bet. I looked at three different products and eventually decided on the Bak-Rak. It's made in the UK, entirely from stainless steel, rated to carry 140kgs and tilts away so you can open the boot or vertically when not in use until you remove it. I don't think the Thule tilts and it's only rated for 45kg which I felt was borderline.

Brerabit wrote: ↑

15 May 2019, 16:02

I've just gone down the same route and decided that the tow ball mounted cargo rack or 'shelf' was my best bet. I looked at three different products and eventually decided on the Bak-Rak. It's made in the UK, entirely from stainless steel, rated to carry 140kgs and tilts away so you can open the boot or vertically when not in use until you remove it. I don't think the Thule tilts and it's only rated for 45kg which I felt was borderline.

Great info thanks Brerabit! I am seriously thinking about adding a tow ball at the back of my car. Are the referring to this one? Thx!

That’s the one but without the box. You’ll need some plywood or similar as the rack is 80cms wide but other than that, job’s a good’n. It’s also lower than your car deck - so easier to load.

I was going to suggest one of these as well ,but the one I looked at was rated at 40 kg which wouldn't be enough. This looks great though! Just check the max allowed downward load on your towbar