Aluminium boat on a roof rack or a trailer? Transport guide
Up to 70 kg – roof rack, from 86 kg – trailer. Practical advice on moving a Kimple boat safely and choosing a trailer.
Lightness is the biggest advantage of an aluminium boat – if you know how to use it. Here is everything about transporting Kimple boats, from roof bars to a trailer with LED lights.
When the boat rides on the roof
Most roof bars are rated 75–100 kg including the bars themselves; a safe practical limit is about 70 kg because you still have to lift it. Two models fit: the Trout 370 (59 kg) and Hunter 350W (68 kg). Two adults lift either; for one person we recommend a boat loader on the rear bar.
Rules: hull upside down, bow forward, two straps over the hull to the bars and always a bow and stern line to the tow eyes so the hull cannot flap in headwind. Stop after 10 km and re-check tension.
When you need a trailer
From the Hunter 370 (86 kg) upward a trailer is essential – and it keeps the boat rigged with motor, tank and fish finder. Launching takes five minutes instead of thirty.
Which trailer for which model
| Trailer | Boat up to | Payload | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tikki BX600-L | 4.5 m | 430 kg | Hunter 350W, 370, 395, Trout 370, Trout 440 |
| Brentex 500B | 4.8 m | 585 kg | All Hunters up to 460 and Trout 440 |
| Respo 511L191 | 5.1 m | 560 kg | Hunter 420, 460 with a big motor |
Add the motor (15 HP ≈ 45 kg, 40 HP ≈ 95 kg), a full tank, battery and gear. A Hunter 460 with 50 HP comes to about 380 kg – fine on Brentex or Respo, not Tikki.
Category B licence
All three trailers are under 750 kg gross, so any car with a tow bar and a B licence can tow them; no brakes needed.
Theft protection
A trailer lock on the coupling costs €48 and solves the problem; add a chain through the bow eye and trailer frame.
Launching without a ramp
Most Lithuanian lakes have no concrete ramp. A roof-carried Trout 370 launches anywhere. A roller trailer can be backed into the water to the hubs; keel rollers let you push the boat off by hand and the winch recovers it single-handed. Check the bottom first – sand and gravel are fine, mud is not. Rinse after salt water and check the hubs every season.
Registration and insurance
The trailer is registered as an O1 vehicle with the CoC and invoice we supply with every trailer; third-party insurance costs about €15–25 a year and inspection is every two years. The boat itself with a motor up to 25 HP is not registered.
Tying the boat down
- Winch the bow to the winch post and lock the strap.
- Add a safety chain from the bow eye.
- Two transom straps to the frame – no sideways or upward movement.
- Tilt and lock the motor; use a transom saver above 40 kg.
- Pull the bung so rain does not collect.
See also maintenance and winter storage and how to choose a boat.
FAQ
Questions and answers
Can the Hunter 370 go on a roof rack?
86 kg exceeds most roof-bar ratings – use a light trailer such as the Tikki BX600-L.
Do the trailers need brakes?
No – all three are under 750 kg gross.
Trailer registration cost?
About €30 registration, €15–25 a year insurance, inspection every two years.
