Power for Cartoppers

Power options for your cartop boat are paddles, sails, electric and outboard motors. Choose a power plant that matches the waters and conditions that you plan to fish in. Make sure that your propulsion system is at a 100% . Proper maintenance is the key to reliability. I usually go out alone so I always make sure I have back up propulsion on board. On my aluminum boat, a bow mounted trolling motor powered by a 100Ah. battery is at ready just in case the transom mounted outboard decides to quit.

A paddle is required gear on any cartop boat regardless of your choice of primary propulsion. It, aside from providing forward motion, also helps when pushing off from shallow water and aids when coming in to beach. It also allows you to reach and retrieve things that have fallen into the drink and in the remote event that a Great White shark finds it way down from temperate latitudes and takes a liking to your small craft, a paddle may save you from becoming dinner.

Paddles come in all shapes and sizes. Single paddles with a long narrow paddle face works well with wide canoes and dingies (the latter really calls for oars but a paddle will make do if you work from the bow.  Kayaks , narrow canoes and paddle boards are most efficient with double paddles. Handle length is crucial as it provides leverage on your powerstroke but don't get one that's too long and forces your pivot hand to grip far from the paddle face. 

Learn the proper strokes for your particular craft and paddle. 

Electric motors are quiet, convenient and non polluting. They turn on at the push of a button and some models even have wireless controllers that allow you to steer and accelerate with a key fob sized remote.You have the option of mounting on the transom or the bow. These motors have power ratings based on thrust. for cartoppers, a 30lb. thrust motor is adequate, mate this to a 50Ah. deep cycle battery and you've got propulsion that should last for a day of fishing. 

 Bow mount 55lb. thrust electric motor with quick release base.

transom mount

 trolling motor with battery box.

Battery boxes keep your power source safe and have terminals for easy attachment.

This model has a battery meter, fused leads and an accessory socket.

Use the proper size wire for your motor. These devices run huge amps and need the copper to run in. Leads should be as short as possible to avoid voltage drops. Charge your batteries properly and keep them on a maintainer.

Outboards are best if you intend to do extended range trips. 2 stroke versions are cheaper and lighter but require you to mix oil with the gasoline. 4 stroke engines do not require any oil mixing but are heavier and more expensive. Horsepower ratings of 2-15 are best for cartoppers. Canoes, kayaks need 2-5hp. motors. Attaching anything bigger will not equate to more speed as their hull design cannot handle the thrust. 2 liters of fuel is usually enough for a day of scooting around.

 A 10-12 foot aluminum or fiberglass boat will run with anything from 5-15hp. The farther you go, the bigger the outboard you need. If you won't be battling current or wind, a 5hp. motor will run you out and in with little fuss and is an easy carry.

 Transport fuel in the proper containers.

Portable boat tanks like this 12 liter have a built in fuel guage and are designed to prevent water contamination.

Five horsepower Mercury on my old aluminum boat. These have built in fuel tanks but also have the option to be attached to an external portable tank.

Do not store fuel in your portable tank as carb blocking deposits tend to form at the bottom. Make sure you do the proper fuel/oil mix for your two stroke engines.

Inflatables

There are many kinds of inflatables that a cartop angler can use but what would be of interest are the ones with a hard transom capable of mounting an outboard. These are constructed of various materials but it's best to invest in one made of Hypalon. This material is superior in U.V. and puncture resistance and lasts a very long time. Though, a bit expensive. Cheaper models come in vinyl.

A 11 foot model is just about what a solo angler can handle. Anything bigger would require two people or a roofrack winch to load.

These boats can handle a lot of load and are virtually unsinkable. They are stable casting platforms and can actually take you quite a ways offshore. Most of them have an inflatable keel that allows the boat to take on waves and track decently. Rigid bottomed versions would be better on all counts but i haven't had the opportunity to put one on my roof. as with any inflatable, it's better to pump them up offsite when convenient. Keep all your gear in a milk crate and stuff you don't want wet in a dry bag.
As with any inflatable, be mindful of sharp objects in the boat.

Stand Up Paddleboards

Stand up paddleboards are an option that one can consider as a functional fishing platform. Solid boards are better but  high pressure inflatable models get the work down. Tip: inflate them at home and lash them to your roof for the trip. Pumping them up on site is a bit of an effort

As a fishing platform they'll rate as adequate. Easy to paddle (kayak double paddle for newbies) and tracks well so getting to your honeyhole is a breeze. The only drawback is the amount of gear you can carry on it. secure a milk crate with rodholders to the deck for your tackle.

Cartopping Canoes

In my opinion, the best paddle powered cartopper you can own is a canoe.
Easy to load and portage even on your own, a canoe will bring you to many places that a heavier less nimble hull would have a hard time traversing. It,ll carry two adults with gear with buoyancy to spare. Canoes track well and are easy to paddle- learn the course correcting J stroke to keep a good line of travel. The elevated seating allows you to stretch your legs and change seating position, even stand to stretch.

 Old Town Saranac 146 and a squareback 146. The squareback allows you to attach a trolling motor or a small outboard to the stern.

Canoes are easy to secure to your roof and are light (36kls.) Another advantage is, toll fees stay at class1.

Stuff to bring:

Lifevest

Paddles

Anchor with line

Provisions (food, water)

Gear- anything you don't want wet should go in a dry bag

So if you're exploring rivers, lakes or any calm waters, consider a canoe as your ultimate cartop buddy

Kayaks

I've had both sit-in and sit-on kayaks. Each have their pros and cons. If you plan to go further than a few hundred meters from your put in, get a yak that's at least 12feet. Short rigs don't track well and can carry little load. Rig the yak with proper rodholders and a good anchor pulley rig.  

 I added a plastic rodholder to my Old Town Dirigo 120.

My anchor pulley system. The rig easily transfers from bow to stern.

This is my Pelican Angler rigged and ready at the Pampanga Delta