Largest boat that can be towed with a car

[crackerjack321]

I'm looking into getting a boat that would be good to play around with on the weekends. I'd like to be able to go tubing and attempt water skiing with it. I don't have the extra money to get something too new so I'd be looking at something from like the 80s/early 90s. Basically, I want to know what I CAN get without having to get a truck to haul it around. I'm in the process of getting a new car but regardless I will have a car with a 1,000lb towing capacity and I'll have to drive about 30 miles or so to get it in the water (no real significant hills considering I live in northern IL). From what I've read looking around, I think the maximum I could go would probably be about 15'-16' and it would depend on the model. Unfortunately, I have had a hard time finding out the weights of different models to figure out what models to look for. A good example would be I'm looking at a 1983 16' Century Runabout but I have no idea what the weight of it is. And, again, I'm completely new to the boating world. Thanks!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

You'd need to find out the tow rating for the car before you could start looking at a boat. Most mid-size cars will tow 2,500 lbs or so, but remember the trailer is going to weigh 500lbs or more for a single-axle trailer.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

If you look up the boat in the NADA guide, it has dry weight listed for the boat. Add the weight of the trailer and gear to come up with an reasonably accurate towing weight.

That boat is listed as weighing 1070 lbs before you put a motor on it.

The I/O version shows almost 1800 lbs dry weight.

You're going to need a bigger car. Most V-6 SUV's are rated for about 3500 lbs.

 

[lrak]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I'm confused. If the biggest boat possible within the tow rating is important to you, why not look for a car with a higher tow rating. A lowly Corolla/Matrix has a 1500lb towing capacity. A Suburu Outback has a 2700lb tow rating. Plenty of crossover SUVs have 3500lb tow ratings. Unlike the fullsize pickup ratings most of them assume you'll actually have passengers in the vehicle too!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I'm looking into getting a boat that would be good to play around with on the weekends. I'd like to be able to go tubing and attempt water skiing with it. ...I will have a car with a 1,000lb towing capacity and I'll have to drive about 30 miles or so to get it in the water (no real significant hills considering I live in northern IL)....

Tubing, Water Skiing, and under 1000 lbs on the trailer sounds like a JetSki.
A 16'+ Boat with enough power for Water-sports is going to be closer to the 2500# mark.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I hear that You can tow a 24 foot Yamaha with a G35 coupe. That is about the largest you can go......

 

[DAN M VAGOS]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I had a friend that had a 196? 18' open fishing boat with a 75hp on it I don't know the name but it was a fiberglass boat and he towed it with a 1988 toyota carolla 5 speed yes a carolla I swear lol. The boat was so big he had cross brace made to go in his spare tire well to suport the hich.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

Your newest, likely best choice would be a '91-96 GM B/C body sedan or wagon (Caprice, Roadmaster/Estate Wagon, Custom Cruiser, Fleetwood). Up to 7k lbs on those

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

O/P stated that his tow capacity WOULD BE 1000 lbs..... question already answered above... the only boat that vehicle can SAFELY tow that allows him to do the watersports he mentioned would be a jetski

 

[lrak]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

O/P stated that his tow capacity WOULD BE 1000 lbs..... question already answered above... the only boat that vehicle can SAFELY tow that allows him to do the watersports he mentioned would be a jetski

I'm going to disagree here.

1) One can still tow SAFELY and LEGALLY while over the transmission warranty rating (aka tow rating).

2) It is quite possible to get a 13-16' skiff under 1000lbs including a 40hp motor, a dozen gallons of gas, and trailer. Something like that should be enough for a bunch of fun on a one person tube or two skis. Something like a J series Carolina Skiff, classic 13' Whaler, Gheenoe Classic, 1686 Bay Hawk, etc. With such low power he'd probably want to have a lower pitch 'watersports' prop and a higher pitch 'cruising' prop and swap between them.

BUT I still think it makes little sense to limit yourself to a 1000lb towing capacity when there are *lots* of cars out there rated for higher.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

Don't let the 1 ton diesel duelly crowd convince you that you can only have a canoe behind a car... 16.5 ft on the title, its almost 18 feet LOA. Also has a v6 175hp mercury in it, more than enough power for watersports. (and yes, it is 1000 'legal' for the car) Not all cars are created equal, some are quite happy towing a load.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I was under the impression that Impreza sedans were rated for at least 2k

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I'm going to disagree here.

1) One can still tow SAFELY and LEGALLY while over the transmission warranty rating (aka tow rating).

It is NOT a transmission warranty rating it is a TOWING capacity... it is based on suspension, frame or lack of, brakes, overall weight, weight distribution, AND durability of the drivetrain

2) It is quite possible to get a 13-16' skiff under 1000lbs including a 40hp motor, a dozen gallons of gas, and trailer. Something like that should be enough for a bunch of fun on a one person tube or two skis. Something like a J series Carolina Skiff, classic 13' Whaler, Gheenoe Classic, 1686 Bay Hawk, etc. With such low power he'd probably want to have a lower pitch 'watersports' prop and a higher pitch 'cruising' prop and swap between them.

BUT I still think it makes little sense to limit yourself to a 1000lb towing capacity when there are *lots* of cars out there rated for higher.

Agree.... I should have said the best for the water sports
Another possible choice might be a RIB

And also agree that limiting to a compact with a 1000 lb tow rating is silly if you want to tow a boat... 2500 lb is attainable with an economical car and opens up MANY more choices ... it also allows a safety margin when/if something scary happens on the road... Pushing the tow vehicle to and past the limit CAN be uneventful but having a little extra margin is nothing but good.... especially if soccer mom pulls out in front of you OR if threefootitis sets in while you are still making payments.....

 

[Bronlonius]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I hear that You can tow a 24 foot Yamaha with a G35 coupe. That is about the largest you can go......

LOL, that was a great thread.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I'm going to disagree here.

1) One can still tow SAFELY and LEGALLY while over the transmission warranty rating (aka tow rating).

2) It is quite possible to get a 13-16' skiff under 1000lbs including a 40hp motor, a dozen gallons of gas, and trailer. Something like that should be enough for a bunch of fun on a one person tube or two skis. Something like a J series Carolina Skiff, classic 13' Whaler, Gheenoe Classic, 1686 Bay Hawk, etc. With such low power he'd probably want to have a lower pitch 'watersports' prop and a higher pitch 'cruising' prop and swap between them.

BUT I still think it makes little sense to limit yourself to a 1000lb towing capacity when there are *lots* of cars out there rated for higher.

I agree with this one. I think too many people on this forum over-think the tow vehicle. And so much depends on the frequency, distance, road types, etc. as well as wheel base. You don't need the "tow package" with extra radiator and tranny cooler to haul the boat 5 miles across town twice a year. In that regard, too, tow limits and tranny warranty are unrelated.

I think the real limitation on the OP's list is the boat for the activities he wants. Carolina Skiff is a roomy light boat that handles a smaller motor than others its size. Also an aluminum jon. An i/o sofa boat would be a non-starter.

 

[White90GT]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I'd be looking at jet ski type boats like pictured above. Light weight, can fit some passengers, can pull a tube/skier, and have some fun.

 

[catfish commander]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

It is NOT a transmission warranty rating it is a TOWING capacity... it is based on suspension, frame or lack of, brakes, overall weight, weight distribution, AND durability of the drivetrain


Agree.... I should have said the best for the water sports
Another possible choice might be a RIB

And also agree that limiting to a compact with a 1000 lb tow rating is silly if you want to tow a boat... 2500 lb is attainable with an economical car and opens up MANY more choices ... it also allows a safety margin when/if something scary happens on the road... Pushing the tow vehicle to and past the limit CAN be uneventful but having a little extra margin is nothing but good.... especially if soccer mom pulls out in front of you OR if threefootitis sets in while you are still making payments.....

yeah 3 foot itis is real! and aint no joke! i got it now! lol.. but you can pull a decent boat with a celebrity. i did it with absolutely no problems.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

I agree with this one. I think too many people on this forum over-think the tow vehicle. And so much depends on the frequency, distance, road types, etc. as well as wheel base. You don't need the "tow package" with extra radiator and tranny cooler to haul the boat 5 miles across town twice a year. In that regard, too, tow limits and tranny warranty are unrelated.

I think the real limitation on the OP's list is the boat for the activities he wants. Carolina Skiff is a roomy light boat that handles a smaller motor than others its size. Also an aluminum jon. An i/o sofa boat would be a non-starter.

Right on. "Struggling up a hill" is not an indication of an inadequate tow vehicle. 18 wheelers struggle up hill.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

Right on. "Struggling up a hill" is not an indication of an inadequate tow vehicle. 18 wheelers struggle up hill.

But it COULD be a death sentence for an inadequate tow rig....

 

[lrak]

Re: Largest boat that can be towed with a car

But it COULD be a death sentence for an inadequate tow rig....

Struggling and inadequate is VERY subjective.

One person might say - "Hmm. My coolant temperature hit 220 while driving up to Lake Tahoe on a 98 degree day. I turned off my air conditioner off and slowed down to 5 under the speed limit. I watched that gauge like a hawk the rest of the climb and it didn't go any higher. Any reccomendations on a bigger radiator and transmission cooler for my XYZ123 so I don't need to worry about it next time?"

Someone who's been reading Internet forums and has no practical experience might say - "HELP! My 5-speed automatic transmission downshifted to 3rd gear on an uphill entrance ramp! It ran in its peak power band for almost 40 seconds. I've read it is dangerous to tow with an inadequate tow vehicle. What is the best MDT to pull my 600lb Carolina Skiff next weekend? I like the Freightliners. My wife is partial to the Volvos."

:laugh: