Aerodynamic factors?

[cajun66]

I'll start the topic off with the question: "How do you make a small boat look big? Hook it up to an even smaller truck."<br />Example, My boat is a 15 foot long Broze Skiff from the 70s with a 25 Evinrude of the same vintage. Boat, motor, trailer and equipment together weighs almost exactly 950 pounds. (I have access to scales at work.)<br /> My truck is a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup with a diesel motor. (Don't laugh, I get 50 mpg.) <br /> Heres the problem, when pulling the boat, I have a top speed of 50 mph and the motor starts running hot. It isn't a weight issue because It pulls my 1900 pound '64 Karmann Ghia with ease. All I can figure is the wind drag created by the open boat is too much for a 70hp diesel motor. <br /> Would a good heavy tarp streched over the poat help? Any ideas that don't involve me buying another truck?

 

[JB]

Re: Aerodynamic factors?

Yes, Cajun.<br /><br />A tight fitting cover will reduce the drag, but it wont help your li'l Diesel avoid overheating when overworked.<br /><br />Is there a lower ratio set of gears for the transaxle?<br /><br />Have you tried staying in 3rd gear?<br /><br />Have you considered a turbo and an enhanced cooling system?

 

[jtexas]

Re: Aerodynamic factors?

Have ya tried fishing from the Kharman Ghia?<br /><br />

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Aerodynamic factors?

I heard those float.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Aerodynamic factors?

Had a buddy that used a VW Bug as a ice fishing house. Cut a hole in the floor beneath each front seat. Drove a couple blocks to the lake. The seats were designed to slide off the tracks so he removed them. Drilled two holes in the ice, positioned the car over them, fired off the gas heater and sat in the back seat. Neat rig. The DNR officer told him he either needed to license the car as a car or else display a fish house license. Spoil-sport had no sense of humor.