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

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.

"Alan Bal jeu" a bal wrote in message ...
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

I have a Jetta Diesel 1985 that I carry 2 kayaks on , No problem.
Way over 300,000 KM
We got that car new.
I have my 1992 Golf with 210,000 KM that I just brought back from a
kayak outing with three boats and all the related gear for an
overnight trip. 3 of everything including a tent sleeping bags Dry
suits all the safety gear etc.
I drive all over with these and as the boats are in the water almost
daily . When not in the water they are never off the cars.
The Golf was graced with a poly P & H Capella , a WS Sealution and an
NDK Explorer. I can't think of much heavier boats. I keep up to posted
speed limits no problem and normally travel slightly above.
The fuel economy is superb. I can head out to our cabin 200 KM away
and not even think of fuel or the cost of gas. I had a Suburban a
couple of years back. That is why we invaded Iraq. ( Just Kidding)
The VW roof racks were cheap as well.
I use J saddles on it for 3 boats and foamies for the 2 on the Jetta.

Toyota and VW are fine cars, you should not have a problem...

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

On 13-Oct-2003, "Alan Bal jeu" a bal wrote:

Will there be enough space in a
Jetta/Civic/Corolla/Protege to do this?

My Civic hatchback comfortably carries two with two sea kayaks
and enough gear for the longest trips.

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 doubt it.

Mike

"Alan Bal jeu" a bal wrote in message ...
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?

Of course, especially if you go for a wagon model, you should have
plenty fo room. Maybe you also want to look at the Ford Focus. Of all
the models you just mentioned, the Focus Wagon has the highest
official roof load capacity. I had one (put 175.000 km (~110000 miles)
on it in 2,5 years), which was allowed to carry 100 kg (~220 lbs) on
the standard roof rack. The good thing of that kind of roofrack is
that the rails are already bolted on the roof, you only need cross
bars. That construction is very strong (I have stood on it together
with several boats, no problem).

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?

No way, if you go for the normal engines that come in such cars, you
probably only notice it taking a few km of the top speed... Then
again, how often do you get to drive 160+ kmh (~100+ mph) with a full
load on your roof?

My current car is of the same size (and platform) as a VW Jetta (U.S.
model, it's called "Bora" over here), and it easily carries a couple
of boats, bikes and such on the roof, have AC blazing in this past
summer's high temps and easily do 150 km/h (90+ mph) on the German
highway. No problem.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's happily using their compact, or if anyone
found it just didn't work.

I have had three "small family cars" in the past four years, and I
find them very suitable for the kind of usage you are looking to use
it for. I call my car a fine two person holiday vehicle (It does get a
lot of use, especially with boats and such on the roof...).

HTH

My last paddling vehicles, all small family cars, with plenty of boats
on top:

Opel Astra:

http://wilko.webzone.ru/astra-k.jpg

Ford Focus:

http://wilko.webzone.ru/focus-k.jpg

My current car, a Skoda Octavia:

http://wilko.webzone.ru/soc-a10.jpg

--
Wilko van den Bergh
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.
http://wilko.webzone.ru/

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

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

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

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