Hey,

I am looking to purchase a rooftop rack for my minivan so that I can load a jon boat on it. I want to fish in a state park that does not allow trailers, so this is my only option. Does anyone know of a rack that could support the weight of a 120 pound or 80 pound jon boat?

Good luck loading a heavy jon onto the top of a minivan.

there will be 2 of us. we have tried, and it won't be an issue putting the jon on top of the car. the only issue is that I am afraid the boat will either crush the top of my car, or fly off when my car is driving. that's why I need a good rooftop rack.

I use this for my canoe.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Self-Load-One-Man-Univeral-Kayak-Canoe-Loader-Carrier_W0QQitemZ320486429315QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9e7ad283

You may be able to adapt it to your john for use on your van. You will need quality after market racks.

You mount the transom on the bracket, lift the bow and swing it onto the racks.

BTW I use Thule racks.

In addition to Thule, Yakima also makes roof racks for just about every vehicle. 

The new versions are much better than the old suction cup types with tie down straps.

They mount using a clamping mechanism.  They are also lockable which prevents all but a determined thief from snatching them.

They are not cheap.  I got two for traveling with my canoe.  Installed, the Yakima racks I got cost 400 bucks.  The dealer also sells Thules, and he said prices and quality of the two is a toss up.

Yakima has round cross tubes, and the Thule has square cross tubes.

If you want to go the cheapo route, you can get fairly durable foam blocks that fit snuggly over the gunnels of the boat.  Put them on the boat, put the boat on the roof, strap it down from side to side.  Tie the bow and stern securely, and you're good to go.

Check out this website. www.tdipowerrack.com.

Check out this website. www.tdipowerrack.com.

And I thought my Thule was expensive.  For that I could buy a tin motor boat and trailer.

: