Info

The Custom boat loader and roof rack combined, was designed by local Perth man, Bill Maney, and is manufactured right here in WA. The Custom Boat Loader was designed to allow Bill, who could no longer lift a heavy aluminum dinghy on and off the roof of his 4WD, to travel in the caravan and still take the boat as well!

ONE person – whether you, the wife or even grandma, can easily load or unload a 100kg aluminum dinghy on to, and off, the roof of most 4WD vehicles using a 14v cordless drill! It takes only about 2 minutes to load or unload - you can place the boat in the water if you can get to it!


Facts about the Loader

The Custom Boat Loader (CBL) rack is manufactured from high grade anodized, powdercoated aluminum to give strength and reliability in a lightweight construction.
All other fittings are stainless steel.
The ropes have a 700kg and 900kg certified breaking strain.
The winch is a fully sealed, oil filled gearbox driven by a cordless 14.4v electric drill.
OR we have an electric motor model which is fully remote controlled! (see photo to right)
The cordless drill can be adapted to run off the vehicle's fridge plug!
Custom made to fit most 4WD vehicles, the rack can carry dinghies up to 3.9m & 100 kgs in weight (subject to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications).
Standard models take boats up to 3.75m, whilst the large model with a larger gearbox, takes 3.85 & 3.9m boats.
Has a sturdy mesh floor for carrying equipment beneath the boat such as boating accessories (tackle boxes, rods etc). (See photo below right)

You can see from the video just how easy it is for anyone to operate.

The heavy duty construction (see photo above) is maintenance free and perfect for the serious 4WD'er and those people traveling with a caravan and wanting to take a boat too!

The Custom Boat Loader (CBL) rack is manufactured from high grade anodized, powdercoated aluminum to give strength and reliability in a lightweight construction.

It keeps the fun in boating by taking the hard work out of boat transport.


Lets see how the Custom Boat Loader operates.

  • The vehicle reverses to the stern of the dinghy. [Fig 1]
  • The four lifting ropes are pulled through the guides on the Custom boat loader and secured to four anchor points on the boat [Fig 2]
  • A fulcrum plate fits between the stern of the dinghy and the tow-bar of the vehicle. [see picture to left]
  • Once in position the winch is activated, pulling the boat up and off the ground. The worm drive winch gives full control when loading and unloading - you can stop at any time & the winch will hold the boat at any stage, automatically. [Fig 3]
  • Once over the vertical, the boat pivots on the rear bar of the rack, & then runs easily forward until the bow is resting on the front edge of the rack. [Fig 5]
  • The winch continues to pull on the four ropes until tension is sufficient to secure the boat onto the Custom boat loader & locked for transport, although tie down straps are recommended for extra safety over rough roads & anchor points are provided on the loader for this purpose. [Fig 8]

[Fig 1] Vehicle reverses to stern of dinghy

[Fig 2] - Boat Loader starts process
[Fig 3] - Boat at Vertical

[Fig 4] - Boat starting to pivot
[Fig 5] - Boat being pulled towards front of 4WD

To unload the boat the process is reversed

Caravanners & campers can now take an aluminium dinghy with them without struggling to load & unload it onto the roof of the vehicle – having a boat provides many more holiday options.

The Custom Boat Loader quickly & easily loads & unloads—you can place the boat in the water if you can get to it!

The ample mesh roof rack carries many of those bulky items & can be used, whether in conjunction with the boat, or simply as a roof rack. With a Custom Boat Loader you may not need a boat trailer with its ongoing maintenance, registration and insurance costs, nor can the trailer be stolen from the public boat ramp whilst you're away fishing!

The Custom Boat Loader is robust, self-contained and maintenance free.

You can leave the boat partially loaded and hose out the interior of the boat before completing the loading. This will protect the roof of the vehicle from salty water.

We recommend carrying 20 litres of freshwater to complete the hosing out process.

The loader will not move even in heavy wind conditions – if it is windy enough to move the boat on the loader its too windy to be out boating!!


[Fig 6]
[Fig 7]

[Fig 8] - Boat being tied down
[Fig 9] - Gearbox driven by 14volt cordless drill

More facts about the Custom Boat Loader

  1. One person can quickly & easily load & unload an aluminium dinghy onto a 4WD vehicle roof, and secure it down for travel.
  2. The rack is custom made for most 4WD vehicles.
  3. The Custom Boat Loader is maintenance free.
  4. CBL Boat Loader/Roof Rack is easily removed from the vehicle if not required
  5. CBL Boat Loader/Roof Rack can be used simply as a roof rack.
  6. It is simply the best on the market!