Boat and trailer tow weights
 

Hi,
I'm considering becoming a first-time boater. I know next-to-nothing about
boating, but have been doing some online research. I can probably only
afford something that I can trailer and launch myself; town boat launch is
about 4 miles from my house. My tow vehicle would be a 2003 Kia Sedona
mini-van. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, but total Gross Weight is
about is 5959 lbs., so really I can probably tow about 3300 for the short
distance to town launch, or less if I want to put wife and kids in the van
and go farther. My question is, what size/type boats should I be looking
at? I would like a "ballpark" idea of boat/motor/trailer combined weights,
so I don't waste time looking at ones I couldn't possibly hope to tow.
Since I have small kids, I like the cuddy style more than the bowrider
(porta-potty and nap spot) but I'm guessing they are heavier. Anyone who
could give me some clues, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

I have a 17' Arima Sea Ranger with a 90 hp Johnson 2 stroke outboard on a
King galvanized trailer. Together they weigh in at just under 3000 lbs. I
threw in the 2 stroke part because they typically weigh a little less than a
4 stroke. Here's a link to the specs for an Arima Sea Ranger:
http://www.arimaboats.com/boat6.htm.

Welcome to boating. It's something your kids will remember all their lives.
Snafu

"Tran" wrote in message
news:%I2uc.2055$g%.1042@lakeread04...
Hi,
I'm considering becoming a first-time boater. I know next-to-nothing
about
boating, but have been doing some online research. I can probably only
afford something that I can trailer and launch myself; town boat launch is
about 4 miles from my house. My tow vehicle would be a 2003 Kia Sedona
mini-van. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, but total Gross Weight is
about is 5959 lbs., so really I can probably tow about 3300 for the short
distance to town launch, or less if I want to put wife and kids in the van
and go farther. My question is, what size/type boats should I be looking
at? I would like a "ballpark" idea of boat/motor/trailer combined
weights,
so I don't waste time looking at ones I couldn't possibly hope to tow.
Since I have small kids, I like the cuddy style more than the bowrider
(porta-potty and nap spot) but I'm guessing they are heavier. Anyone who
could give me some clues, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

Thanks for the info. I'm looking at used boats, so it is hard to find
specs. It seems prudent to go to a scale with any potential purchase, but
it does help to knwo what I should be looking at. So is this "typical" for
a 17' boat? Or is there a wide range? Might I find a 20', with trailer, at
3000 lbs or is this unrealistic? Thanks again!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

I'm not sure if 3000 lbs is typical for a 17 footer. I'll have to let
others answer that.

BTW, the weight I gave included a full tank of gas (~25 gallons) and fishing
gear.

"Tran" wrote in message
news:do3uc.2062$g%.1861@lakeread04...
Thanks for the info. I'm looking at used boats, so it is hard to find
specs. It seems prudent to go to a scale with any potential purchase, but
it does help to knwo what I should be looking at. So is this "typical"
for
a 17' boat? Or is there a wide range? Might I find a 20', with trailer,
at
3000 lbs or is this unrealistic? Thanks again!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

Also Sprach Snafu :
I'm not sure if 3000 lbs is typical for a 17 footer. I'll have to let
others answer that.

Seems slightly on he heavy side... must be a well built boat. Always
liked the Arimas.

FYI, my pop has a 20 foot Boston Whaler Outrage. It's a center console,
so no cuddy cabin. With a 175HP 2 stroke Evinrude, and 46 gallons of gas,
on a galvanized EZ-Loader, it weighs 3450 lbs.

Dan


--
I wish I was deep, instead of just macho.

-- Tyrone Power

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

Well, if you go here ... http://www.boattest.com/main.aspx ... and start
flipping through the boats tested and bring up the specs on a few, it will
give you an idea of the weight of various types, sizes. Then maybe go to a
manufacturer's site for more detail if a particular type catches your eye.


Tran" wrote in message
news:%I2uc.2055$g%.1042@lakeread04...
Hi,
I'm considering becoming a first-time boater. I know next-to-nothing
about
boating, but have been doing some online research. I can probably only
afford something that I can trailer and launch myself; town boat launch is
about 4 miles from my house. My tow vehicle would be a 2003 Kia Sedona
mini-van. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, but total Gross Weight is
about is 5959 lbs., so really I can probably tow about 3300 for the short
distance to town launch, or less if I want to put wife and kids in the van
and go farther. My question is, what size/type boats should I be looking
at? I would like a "ballpark" idea of boat/motor/trailer combined
weights,
so I don't waste time looking at ones I couldn't possibly hope to tow.
Since I have small kids, I like the cuddy style more than the bowrider
(porta-potty and nap spot) but I'm guessing they are heavier. Anyone who
could give me some clues, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

Remember Gross Weight also includes what's extra inside the vehicle. So if
you, the wife, the kids, the food totals 800lbs then what you put on the
back can only total 2700lbs. Also consider how may horses and engine size in
your van.

"Tran" wrote in message
news:%I2uc.2055$g%.1042@lakeread04...
Hi,
I'm considering becoming a first-time boater. I know next-to-nothing
about
boating, but have been doing some online research. I can probably only
afford something that I can trailer and launch myself; town boat launch is
about 4 miles from my house. My tow vehicle would be a 2003 Kia Sedona
mini-van. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, but total Gross Weight is
about is 5959 lbs., so really I can probably tow about 3300 for the short
distance to town launch, or less if I want to put wife and kids in the van
and go farther. My question is, what size/type boats should I be looking
at? I would like a "ballpark" idea of boat/motor/trailer combined
weights,
so I don't waste time looking at ones I couldn't possibly hope to tow.
Since I have small kids, I like the cuddy style more than the bowrider
(porta-potty and nap spot) but I'm guessing they are heavier. Anyone who
could give me some clues, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

Thanks to all for the info. Still interested to hear from others who feel
like posting info on their knowledge of tow weights. In the meantime I'll
check out this site.

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

"Tran" wrote ...
Thanks for the info. I'm looking at used boats, so it is hard to find
specs. It seems prudent to go to a scale with any potential purchase, but
it does help to knwo what I should be looking at. So is this "typical" for
a 17' boat? Or is there a wide range? Might I find a 20', with trailer, at
3000 lbs or is this unrealistic? Thanks again!

My 20' aluminum 5.7L inboard jet weighs 4500 lbs including aluminum trailer,
gas, food, ice, etc.

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

"-rick-" wrote in message
...

"Tran" wrote ...
Thanks for the info. I'm looking at used boats, so it is hard to find
specs. It seems prudent to go to a scale with any potential purchase, but
it does help to knwo what I should be looking at. So is this "typical" for
a 17' boat? Or is there a wide range? Might I find a 20', with trailer, at
3000 lbs or is this unrealistic? Thanks again!

My 20' aluminum 5.7L inboard jet weighs 4500 lbs including aluminum trailer,
gas, food, ice, etc.

I forgot to include that the manufacturers dry weght for the boat was 2500 lbs
and it holds 60 gallons of fuel.

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

Most 17' boats w/ outboards are going to be under your weight requirement.
17' I/O w/ trailer and everything is going to be in the 3500+ range. 20' is
going to be closer to 4500 lbs.
I think a cuddy is out of the question.
I would recommend you find one that has the max rated hp engine on it.
These boats are not very fast and powerful to begin with and if the boat is
rated for a 130 you want every bit of that. A 90 is going to be a dog in
terms of ability to pull you on a slalom. I know a lot of people will say
they skied behind a 25 but that was on a plank (not a 65" slalom of today).

--
Tony
my boats at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

"Tran" wrote in message
news:%I2uc.2055$g%.1042@lakeread04...
Hi,
I'm considering becoming a first-time boater. I know next-to-nothing
about
boating, but have been doing some online research. I can probably only
afford something that I can trailer and launch myself; town boat launch is
about 4 miles from my house. My tow vehicle would be a 2003 Kia Sedona
mini-van. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, but total Gross Weight is
about is 5959 lbs., so really I can probably tow about 3300 for the short
distance to town launch, or less if I want to put wife and kids in the van
and go farther. My question is, what size/type boats should I be looking
at? I would like a "ballpark" idea of boat/motor/trailer combined
weights,
so I don't waste time looking at ones I couldn't possibly hope to tow.
Since I have small kids, I like the cuddy style more than the bowrider
(porta-potty and nap spot) but I'm guessing they are heavier. Anyone who
could give me some clues, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

I'm using a chevy venture to tow a 17 1/2' sea ray with 100 hp outboard.
I'm guessing total weight to be about 2500 pounds. The venture is rated to
tow 3500 pounds but seems to be struggling a bit with this beast. It tends
toward overheating. I rarely have to tow this on the highway. I mostly go
2 blocks to the boat launch ramp. If I were towing a lot of miles, I would
need a better tow vehicle.

Any front wheel drive vehicle is not optimal for towing. You may have boat
ramp traction issues and the transmissions are delicate and expensive.
Install a transmission cooler regardless of the trailer you choose.

--
Denis Roy
D. Roy Woodcraft
www.ideasinwood.com
"Tran" wrote in message
news:%I2uc.2055$g%.1042@lakeread04...
Hi,
I'm considering becoming a first-time boater. I know next-to-nothing
about
boating, but have been doing some online research. I can probably only
afford something that I can trailer and launch myself; town boat launch is
about 4 miles from my house. My tow vehicle would be a 2003 Kia Sedona
mini-van. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, but total Gross Weight is
about is 5959 lbs., so really I can probably tow about 3300 for the short
distance to town launch, or less if I want to put wife and kids in the van
and go farther. My question is, what size/type boats should I be looking
at? I would like a "ballpark" idea of boat/motor/trailer combined
weights,
so I don't waste time looking at ones I couldn't possibly hope to tow.
Since I have small kids, I like the cuddy style more than the bowrider
(porta-potty and nap spot) but I'm guessing they are heavier. Anyone who
could give me some clues, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

** And don't forget about brakes on your trailer.
I'm struggling with the same issues.
1200 lb sailboat + 400 lb trailer + outboard on a Voyager rater for 2000
lbs. They recommend brakes on trailer if load exceeds 1000 lbs. ***

"Denis Roy" wrote in message
news:mNvuc.626812$oR5.95613@pd7tw3no...
I'm using a chevy venture to tow a 17 1/2' sea ray with 100 hp outboard.
I'm guessing total weight to be about 2500 pounds. The venture is rated
to
tow 3500 pounds but seems to be struggling a bit with this beast. It
tends
toward overheating. I rarely have to tow this on the highway. I mostly
go
2 blocks to the boat launch ramp. If I were towing a lot of miles, I
would
need a better tow vehicle.

Any front wheel drive vehicle is not optimal for towing. You may have
boat
ramp traction issues and the transmissions are delicate and expensive.
Install a transmission cooler regardless of the trailer you choose.

--
Denis Roy
D. Roy Woodcraft
www.ideasinwood.com
"Tran" wrote in message
news:%I2uc.2055$g%.1042@lakeread04...
Hi,
I'm considering becoming a first-time boater. I know next-to-nothing
about
boating, but have been doing some online research. I can probably only
afford something that I can trailer and launch myself; town boat launch
is
about 4 miles from my house. My tow vehicle would be a 2003 Kia Sedona
mini-van. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, but total Gross Weight is
about is 5959 lbs., so really I can probably tow about 3300 for the
short
distance to town launch, or less if I want to put wife and kids in the
van
and go farther. My question is, what size/type boats should I be
looking
at? I would like a "ballpark" idea of boat/motor/trailer combined
weights,
so I don't waste time looking at ones I couldn't possibly hope to tow.
Since I have small kids, I like the cuddy style more than the bowrider
(porta-potty and nap spot) but I'm guessing they are heavier. Anyone
who
could give me some clues, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

Tom

Boat and trailer tow weights
 

Thanks to you and all the others who have replied. All the info has been
very helpful. Now I know where to spend my time looking. Thanks again!

Tom