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#1
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I've been looking at buying a new compact car, but I want to make sure it's
not a mistake. I will want to carry my 16' canoe on top, and be able to put the paddles, a friend or two, life jackets, and backpacks inside, (and the roof rack when it's not carrying my boat). Will there be enough space in a Jetta/Civic/Corolla/Protege to do this? After I've got everything packed, I'll need to drive it down the freeway to distant lakes and rivers. And since the temp will probably be 35 degrees celcius (105F), I'll have to turn on the A/C. Might this be a strain on the car's engine? I'll probably only go on an extended trip once or twice a year, so that's not my main concern in purchasing. However, I will do lots of local trips with the vehicle too. I'd love to hear from anyone who's happily using their compact, or if anyone found it just didn't work. Alan |
#2
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Alan Bal jeu wrote:
I've been looking at buying a new compact car, but I want to make sure it's not a mistake. I will want to carry my 16' canoe on top, and be able to put the paddles, a friend or two, life jackets, and backpacks inside, (and the roof rack when it's not carrying my boat). Will there be enough space in a Jetta/Civic/Corolla/Protege to do this? After I've got everything packed, I'll need to drive it down the freeway to distant lakes and rivers. And since the temp will probably be 35 degrees celcius (105F), I'll have to turn on the A/C. Might this be a strain on the car's engine? I'd love to hear from anyone who's happily using their compact, or if anyone found it just didn't work. I certainly haven't had any problems carrying my boats with my VW Rabbit (now called Golf) for 12 years and then with my current Toyota Corolla for the last 16 years. The biggest load I've had on top was a double kayak (18'/90 lbs) plus two tandem canoes (each 16'), but more commonly I'll carry the double kayak and a single. That includes several cross-country trips as well as many more local trips. Never ran into any issues with either vehicle other than feeling a bit out-of-place at many put-in spots where everyone else arrived with big SUVs and wondered how I got there over fire roads they thought would require 4WD. The river outings chair of our Sierra Club chapter once commented that I always showed up with the biggest boat and the smallest car. |
#3
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#4
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I've got a Subaru Outback Sport, the impreza one, and it works great for me.
Plenty of space and it can easily fit two 17'-18' sea kayaks and the associated gear. Gas milage is not the greatest for a 4 banger, 23-25mpg, but better than those ponderous SUVs ![]() |
#7
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Been hauling my 17' Lund aluminumb canoe around sine 1995 in my Corolla.
Engine is only 1.6 l so the mileage really drops off on the highway. Only problem might be 3 people and all gear. Two people no problem. Went away camping on French River for 3 days with two large people and a canoe FULL of gear. It all fit. I have a good set of Crappy Tire racks (Frontier) The paddles won't fit in the trunk but I stuff them in between the two front seats along the console. Most of my road trips are to lakes/rivers less than 2 hours away. Forget about rough roads though. The Corolla is low. Cheers John Alan Bal jeu a bal wrote in message news ![]() I've been looking at buying a new compact car, but I want to make sure it's not a mistake. I will want to carry my 16' canoe on top, and be able to put the paddles, a friend or two, life jackets, and backpacks inside, (and the roof rack when it's not carrying my boat). Will there be enough space in a Jetta/Civic/Corolla/Protege to do this? After I've got everything packed, I'll need to drive it down the freeway to distant lakes and rivers. And since the temp will probably be 35 degrees celcius (105F), I'll have to turn on the A/C. Might this be a strain on the car's engine? I'll probably only go on an extended trip once or twice a year, so that's not my main concern in purchasing. However, I will do lots of local trips with the vehicle too. I'd love to hear from anyone who's happily using their compact, or if anyone found it just didn't work. Alan |
#8
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I might add like Peter posted above the boat (in my case) is much larger
than the car. This may get you some ribbing in your paddling group as well. John John wrote in message . .. Been hauling my 17' Lund aluminumb canoe around sine 1995 in my Corolla. Engine is only 1.6 l so the mileage really drops off on the highway. Only problem might be 3 people and all gear. Two people no problem. Went away camping on French River for 3 days with two large people and a canoe FULL of gear. It all fit. I have a good set of Crappy Tire racks (Frontier) The paddles won't fit in the trunk but I stuff them in between the two front seats along the console. Most of my road trips are to lakes/rivers less than 2 hours away. Forget about rough roads though. The Corolla is low. Cheers John Alan Bal jeu a bal wrote in message news ![]() I've been looking at buying a new compact car, but I want to make sure it's not a mistake. I will want to carry my 16' canoe on top, and be able to put the paddles, a friend or two, life jackets, and backpacks inside, (and the roof rack when it's not carrying my boat). Will there be enough space in a Jetta/Civic/Corolla/Protege to do this? After I've got everything packed, I'll need to drive it down the freeway to distant lakes and rivers. And since the temp will probably be 35 degrees celcius (105F), I'll have to turn on the A/C. Might this be a strain on the car's engine? I'll probably only go on an extended trip once or twice a year, so that's not my main concern in purchasing. However, I will do lots of local trips with the vehicle too. I'd love to hear from anyone who's happily using their compact, or if anyone found it just didn't work. Alan |
#9
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John wrote in message
. .. Been hauling my 17' Lund aluminumb canoe around sine 1995 in my Corolla. Engine is only 1.6 l so the mileage really drops off on the highway. Only problem might be 3 people and all gear. Two people no problem. Went away camping on French River for 3 days with two large people and a canoe FULL of gear. It all fit. This year I travelled the Spanish, and that was great. What section of the French did you run, and what was it like? I thought the French river pretty much followed the road and wouldn't too interesting to travel, but I never really looked into it. Alan |
#10
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![]() This year I travelled the Spanish, and that was great. What section of the French did you run, and what was it like? I thought the French river pretty much followed the road and wouldn't too interesting to travel, but I never really looked into it. Alan We were on the Upper French at the mouth of Bobs Bay. Fla****er only. Left the car on the Dokis Indian reserve. We have on other occasiaion gone camping and some day trip from Wolsely Bay to Blue Chute and return. Have also been kayaing in the gorge. Some of the French is pretty remote. You might get a map of the park and see. John |
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