Need info on buying a boat

[Default_User]

sounds like you are on the right track, what I and possibly others were trying to get at was just to use caution.

2 passengers, gas in your car, boat gas, fishing tackle and rods and food I would guess would be more than 200 pounds, probably 400+ depending.

I have a car that's rated to two 1500 pounds but pulling that would be questionable in my mind, launching in particular.

Oh yeah for sure. Gonna keep an eye on GVW (or whatever it is)

Been still playing with the idea - but if I second guess myself - I'll end up with a tiller and tinner

Nowyour talkin', can't go wrong with a Lund

 

[Porkpie]

Lund SSV 16 with a 30HP Etec and removable floors. I towed this rig (no Etec at the time) for years with a 4 cylinder SUV. I went all over Ontario, fished out of it, hunted out of it and when kids came along I pulled a tube. I had a 30hp merc , with 2 props, one for heavy loads and one for just fishing and cruising. It was to date the most versatile boat I've ever had. With the fishing prop I'd get about 28mph in good conditions with myself and fishing gear. There is no storage to speak of, but also not all that extra weight of a full interior. I even downrigged on Lake Ontario many many times out of that boat. Something to look at! It your wanting a 4 stroke, I'd probably go with the 40hp option!

 

[flandogg]

both of them would be able to get the job done. I was also planning on getting a lancer but decided on the subaru legacy because of the 4 wheel drive.

Could a Subaru WRX or WRX STi handle the added load?

 

[rich_ace_G]

Could a Subaru WRX or WRX STi handle the added load?

no doubt...make sure the roof bars will. if you have a roof basket that would be even better.

 

[BASSMASTER19]

its more about the chassis then the engine even though thats a close second, like a V8 mustang has the power but not the chassis. I know the STI engine can handle it im not too sure on the towing class on it, its probably a 1 possibly but probbaly not a 2. I know a camry has a class 2 hitch and can tow a pretty good sized boat. The accord V6 has a class 2 and the I4 has a 1so id peg the sti as a 1 but i think you can go to a subie dealer and find out

 

[flandogg]

Ahh interesting didn't know that. Yeh I will go to the dealership and find out. I'm thinking of buying one of those in a few months, but now that I think about it, I want something that will be able to tow a load as well.

Thanks DILLIGAF?! and ChasinTails !

 

[BASSMASTER19]

Ahh interesting didn't know that. Yeh I will go to the dealership and find out. I'm thinking of buying one of those in a few months, but now that I think about it, I want something that will be able to tow a load as well.

Thanks DILLIGAF?! and ChasinTails !

are you going the rally car route, sedan route, coupe route or large suv/truck route? i can help you choose, my personal fave the BRZ might be a little problematic in towing

 

[Default_User]

Lund SSV 16 with a 30HP Etec and removable floors. I towed this rig (no Etec at the time) for years with a 4 cylinder SUV. I went all over Ontario, fished out of it, hunted out of it and when kids came along I pulled a tube. I had a 30hp merc , with 2 props, one for heavy loads and one for just fishing and cruising. It was to date the most versatile boat I've ever had. With the fishing prop I'd get about 28mph in good conditions with myself and fishing gear. There is no storage to speak of, but also not all that extra weight of a full interior. I even downrigged on Lake Ontario many many times out of that boat. Something to look at! It your wanting a 4 stroke, I'd probably go with the 40hp option!

Thanks for the feedback
I'll definitely take a look

 

[flandogg]

are you going the rally car route, sedan route, coupe route or large suv/truck route? i can help you choose, my personal fave the BRZ might be a little problematic in towing

I was looking at the BRZ, thats a nice looking car! My concrn is that its rear-wheel drive (sucks in the winter) and its a 2 door. My wish list is a powerful fun driving sedan, with the potential to tow in the future.... but I cant have it all

 

[UclueletCharters]

Hey,

I think you would be surprised what your vehicle will pull, years ago I had a Chev Cavalier and pulled a 16 foot K&C glass runabout with a 90hp johnson on it with no problem. Steep ramps I had to ride the clutch a bit but for standard driving on the roads no problem. Just make sure the boat is properly set on the trailer and not to far back so you have some hitch weight. A way you could look at it could your car haul 4 250lb guys around and the answer is it would be no problem. At present I use a ford expedition to haul my boat which the trailer and boat weighs approx 7200 plus pounds which is quite a bit over weight. It's no problem other than for the hitch weight, when braking I have to give myself some extra distance to stop so I don't wreck my brakes. Drive mellow and take your time and it should be no problem, you could also get trailer brakes if you want to improve your braking. A little extra weight won't be an issue with in reason cause the trailers packing it.

 

[Ben1329]

I'm towing this with a 4 cylinder. No problems at all. Fully loaded with fuel and gear and I'm way under the max capacity rating. It actually tows much better than my old 6 cyl Jeep.

Its very important to check your max towing rating. If you get into a car accident, you insurance company will want to weigh the total.. If it goes over the max = bad news.

 

[Default_User]

@Ben1329

If you don't mind - can you give me a little info on your set up?

OEM Towing capacity, and your actual towing load?

 

[Ben1329]

Sure. SUV tow rating at 3500 LBS.

Boat empty is 1330 LBS

Boat full of gear and fuel I'm guessing in 1700 lbs range.

 

[azppp]

hey guys, just want to add some input here:

regarding tow vehicle:
- 4 cyl, whatever HP is irrelevant. It will only affect acceleration.
- you want a stable chassis and usually over stable to handle the loaded boat/trailer, by handling i mean highway speed turning, up hill acell, downhill braking, no 1/4 mile here guys...
-how far are you travelling and how often? Are you doing a handful of epic backwoods trips, or regular to simcoe/scugog/rice, or regular epic backwood trips?
-ramp condition of the places u go to, will limit what kind of vehicle you should be launching the boat with

boat:
- any 16' 25+ HP will get u to more than enough places to explore with 2 ppl. Start from there if you're a first timer.

in general:
-the only way to determine a proper boat/car combo for you is through experience, not calculations. Forums will tell u experiences from preiovs owners of the same boat/car
-do NOT push anything to the limit, engineers build redundancy for a reason. No calculations will tell u the answer. Better to overkill than calculate and push things to the limit. That's in general, my nickel (no more 2 cents).

 

[Default_User]

Thank you for the input azp