Transporting a Snark Sailboat -- Need Some Advice

midkarma · #1 (**permalink**) 08-19-2011

I've been wanting to learn to sail for a while now and after some research, I decided a snark was an easy and cheap place to start. My only concern at this point however, is transportation.

I currently drive a two-door Chevy Colbalt that does not have a mounted roof rack. Due to budget constraints, I was wondering if it would be possible to safely secure this small boat to my car. The Snark is only approximately 10 feet long, weighs 50 pounds and has a flat bottom, so it seems plausible this could be accomplished without shelling out the extra money for a rack. Anyone have experience with such a thing?

Greenflash35 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2011

Snark was my first boat. it was made entirely out of Styrofoam so it shouldn't scratch the car much. My Snark broke apart in 10 foot surf, we shouldn't have been sailing that close to the breakers, not sure how yours will hold up in 65mph winds. I think if you drive slowly to calm water you'll be ok.

treilley · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2011

I am sure you can get an aftermarket rack. Or, if you want something cheaper, something like this would work:

SHNOOL · #4 (**permalink**) 08-19-2011

My first boat, purchased 29 years ago, was a styrofoam snark. It is still functional today. My brother travelled from NC to PA with it and another one (a fiberglassed snark), on the roof of his Pontiac Sunbird!

Put soft foam pieces under it... put it bottom side up, strap the girth, bow and stern, and drive. It'll be fine.

Snarks are great boats to learn on. As the wind pipes up, they just bend! This picture is my brother, whose 10 years OLDER than me, sailing his glassed Snark on the ocean at the outter banks. I helped him launch it that day. He brought along (mind you I turned 38 the year this was taken) my original foam snark from when I was 11, to sail as well.

Then sail it on BLUE WATER like this!

junkrig · #5 (**permalink**) 08-19-2011

Do it like Schnool says and you'll be good. For foam padding those little foam feet work well.

Like other posters here I learned on a styrofoam Snark. Was a little wet and crowded with 4 young adults, but basically ignored the 100% overload and happily sailed anyway. When we were more rational and just sailed it as a couple it performed admirably.

Happy Snarking!

SHNOOL · #6 (**permalink**) 08-19-2011

Did I mention my brother loved that snark so, he built that sail for it? He paid $75 for the boat (sail was functional but wore out), so he could RACE his son on my old one! Fond memories of those ratty old boats.

4 in one? Ok, that is crazy but doable. Brother has a Newport 17 now, had a US 25 before. I am up to a Capri 22... but we still love the "old ways."