Bikes on your boat
 

We like to take weekend trips on our boat to different river towns. I would really like to haul a couple mountain bikes with us to use when we are tied up to a dock. Has anyone out there ever attempted to somehow hang bikes from your tower or board racks so there is still room in the boat. I have an 07 MC X45. In the past ive taken a fold up bike and put it in one of the rear storage lockers. However, it would be nice to haul a few real ones so everyone would have a way to get around. 2 to 4 bikes max. What do u think?

I would rather fabricate something to fit in the tongue of the trailer so the bikes ride between the vehicle and boat. Could be removable too.

Check this thread out, I remembered seeing it years ago...http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/...2Bbike+%2Brack

Now you are talking about transporting them while on the water from town to town.
The one on TMC looks to be the best idea I can think of.

I guess I should clarify that, i will not have a tow vehicle or trailer with me, we would leave home, a town on the river and travel up to 8hrs by boat to another river town. I do like the swim platform idea, however, i thought if i could rig something up on the racks, it would leave the swim step available for swim or potty breaks during the boat ride. i will probably just try to rig something up, if i cant come up with a solid side mount i could copy the TMC post.

Given he's a cyclist also, I'm surprised Grant didn't invent that set up shown on TMC.

WOW! And 8 hour haul on a wake boat?! Count me out! More power to ya! but if you're going the bikes on the racks route....I wouldn't see any prob with it! I would def get some foam insulation (like a swim noodle or something) to cover the tower racks to keep from scratching them or your bikes.

What about using pool noodles to pad the tower and board racks? Placing the bikes on the racks and using tarp ties or bungy cord to secure?

What about a Thule rack mounted to the tower. I am sure you can make one of those work.

Or mount a receiver to the underside of the swim platform and get a receiver mounted one.

http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produc.../bike-carriers

Just drag them behind the boat

This, or rig up a rack - think car trunk rack/hatch back rack that sticks off the back of the car. Rig that setup on the side of the tower and hang the bikes like that.