Lake boat sizes: Is there a trailerable sweet spot?

[Blorton]

I’m curious what size lake boats you old timers like for cruising around and occasional water sports.

I’m enjoying this 18’ bowrider with 4.3l sterndrive. However, we get a lot of windy days here and I’m thinking about something longer next time. (edit: I have a 1500 class pickup and don't mind towing up to 8-9k with it.)

 

[Scott06]

I’m curious what size lake boats you old timers like for cruising around and occasional water sports.

I’m enjoying this 18’ bowrider with 4.3l sterndrive. However, we get a lot of windy days here and I’m thinking about something longer next time.

Really depends on your tow vehicle and comfort towing.

I can tell you from my experience on a 38 mile long lake with my old boat (18 ft 1991 sea ray 170) vs my new (21 ft 2004 sea ray 200 sport). the extra beam weight, and deadrise may it a much more comfortable boat that is towable by my Highlander (5500 lb capacity) . I didn't want to buy a bigger vehicle for a 22-24 ft boat towing.

I think you would find a big difference on rougher days by going up to 20-21 ft and still have it be towable with out having to buy a boat and a truck...

 

[Blorton]

Thanks @Scott06 That sounds great. I have a 1500 pickup already, and have done a fair amount of heavy towing of moving trailers and RV's with it. But to your point - I also don't want to go up so far I'm running into the serious GPH ratings.

 

[briangcc]

Really depends on what lake you're referring to. My boat in my signature really is too large for one of the lakes I frequent - a 16' would be sufficient. On another lake I vacation on its about the right size. Great Lakes....only on a calm day.

For watersports, my cousin's family uses his 21' SeaRay deckboat OR jetski. Fishing, either his 18' Sylvan or the deckboat. Help's when you're an MD.

 

[Scott Danforth]

First, define the lake size
then the topography around it

Not sure where you boat

Reason I mention that, I grew up on lake Michigan and there are times out there that even a 1000 foot boat does not feel big enough as the waves can go from calm to 9 foot rollers or worse

then there are narrow lakes like Lake Powell where the wind will get going to 100mph in the canyons

that being stated, based on my boating experience

for a 1000 acre lake or smaller - my recommendation is 19 foot max
for a 1000-25000 acre lake - something in the 21-23 foot range
Bigger water than that, an express cruiser

 

[Blorton]

First, define the lake size

Thanks! Lake Hartwell on the GA/SC border - 56k acres, 962 miles of shoreline. It's "hooj!" Some of the open water sections can get right interesting. But it has rivers feeding it, so exploring into those is a different ballgame.

 

[Scott06]

Thanks @Scott06 That sounds great. I have a 1500 pickup already, and have done a fair amount of heavy towing of moving trailers and RV's with it. But to your point - I also don't want to go up so far I'm running into the serious GPH ratings.

GPH depends on how much you push the throttle forward.

We are lucky enough that my dad has a place on the lake, so I'm only trailering twice a year, kept in a hoist. Typical day is 6-8 people out for an hour or three, ski/wakeboard, then swim. Put about 35-45 hours on it a year = about $700-900 of gas a season.

 

[Scott Danforth]

GPH depends on how much you push the throttle forward.

We are lucky enough that my dad has a place on the lake, so I'm only trailering twice a year, kept in a hoist. Typical day is 6-8 people out for an hour or three, ski/wakeboard, then swim. Put about 35-45 hours on it a year = about $700-900 of gas a season.

Im putting 40-50 gallons in per outing......

 

[Scott06]

Im putting 40-50 gallons in per outing......

You are going farther and probably have twice the hp .. I just go down the lake find a spot where no one is around

 

[Scott Danforth]

You are going farther and probably have twice the hp .. I just go down the lake find a spot where no one is around

its 28 miles from my launch spot 5 minutes from my house to the ICW unless I trailer it for 45 minutes. average trip is usually 100-120 miles

 

[ahicks]

For frequent trailering, my vote would be 20-21' max. Anything bigger starts getting heavy quickly.

 

[jimmbo]

First, define the lake size
then the topography around it

Not sure where you boat

Reason I mention that, I grew up on lake Michigan and there are times out there that even a 1000 foot boat does not feel big enough as the waves can go from calm to 9 foot rollers or worse

Michigan, like the other Great Lakes, need to be treated and respected for what they are, small Oceans. They certainly have enough Shipwrecks on their Bottoms to drive that point home

 

[Blorton]

So you guys are saying I should buy a Cigarette?

 

[jimmbo]

They do a bit better in Rough Conditions, but even they get thrown around enough to break the Bones of the Drivers

 

[briangcc]

If its pucker time, I doubt a cigarette style boat would fair any better.

 

[flashback]

My new to me 220 1995 searay is about 2 ft longer than my previous 210 CC scorpion, BUT it weighs at least 800lbs more. Both were powered by 5.7s..The scorpion was much more agile but the searay rides nice in a chop like an old Cadillac....

 

[dingbat]

Best bang for the buck is a change of hull design.

Going to a "rough water" (coastal) hull design will increase ride comfort considerably w/o increasing the length.

 

[Blorton]

Appreciate all the thoughts guys. Y'all have given me some great pointers. Great group here.