some advice on boats that might be towed with a honda crv?

[leilachawkat]

Not a boat owner yet, but would love to know if there's a boat out there that can be safely towed and put in with a CRV (towing capacity is 1500 lbs, I think). I don't want to fish or waterski; just tool around the Chesapeak Bay, swimming and relaxing on board. Any suggestions you might have for a make, model, and year would be greatly, greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: some advice on boats that might be towed with a honda crv?

Think aluminum. No decks. No fancy stuff. Just aluminum. Tiller steer.

A 12-14' aluminum boat with a light trailer and a smaller outboard will be easily towable by your CRV. You'll be somewhat limited in what you can do and what weather you can do it in, but you'll be boating.

Watch Craig's List in your area. Someone will have something, complete with boat, engine, and trailer, for a reasonable price, and just go enjoy.

Later, once you're hooked, you'll probably end up with something bigger and will buy a bigger tow vehicle.

Another idea is a small Boston Whaler. It's glass, but still lightweight.

 

[rbarbot2]

Re: some advice on boats that might be towed with a honda crv?

If you want to have some fun, check into a semi-rigid inflatable like those carried by West Marine. Some have hard bottoms or semi-hard inflatable bottoms. With the proper motor, they are a blast.

If you aren't familiar with inflatables, don't be scared. They aren't like a blow-up raft. They have come a long way in recent years. Lots of people use them as "tenders" on their larger vessels. You can transport one tied down on a flatbed or utility type trailer, too, making there no need for a boat trailer.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&subdeptNum=132&storeNum=10&productId=246323#

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...=high_res.jsp&image=7665516_hiRes.jpg&desc=RU

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: some advice on boats that might be towed with a honda crv?

you can go with a 14' alunimum runabout, 50 hp. would be ok with that vehicle. something like this, but this one is vintage.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: some advice on boats that might be towed with a honda crv?

Be advised: A 12-14 foot aluminum open boat is not going to cut it on a fair weather weekend on the Chesapeake. Not unless you are going to stay in some of the smaller rivers and protected coves. That bay and the larger rivers (Elk, Northeast, Sassafrass, etc.) get really rough from all the traffic. I have seen 4-5 foot waves in the mouth of the C&D canal. So unless you like all that bouncing, a little boat is going to get real old real quick. And that's just the upper bay. The lower bay is wider with more fetch so even bigger waves can form.
I see fishermen out there by Turkey Point, but they are bouncing and rocking. My advice would be to stay with aluminum for weight, but get something bigger with a lot of freeboard and a wide beam (High sides and wide). I know they make some pretty big jon boats like that, and they are rather light. Save weight by getting a smaller engine -- say 20-25 hp--no less though.

Your CRV is probably rated to tow less than 2000 lbs so get something big enough to be close to your weight limit. If it can tow anything at all, the rating will be in the owners manual.

Now, I don't mean to scare you-- The Chesapeake is a beautiful ride. And if you catch it at the right time, it can be as smooth as a baby's bottom. But it can get really nasty, really quickly, so a little prudence is in order.

 

[JB]

Re: some advice on boats that might be towed with a honda crv?

A classic Boston Whaler Sport 13 with a JohnnyRude 25 is a much safer ride into salt water than a tinny. On a small trailer it weighs in well under 1,000LB.

However safe, though, it is not a comfort ride. It will take up to 40hp but I have used 20, 25, 40 and 50hp engines on 13s and found the 25 the best handling package. It will top out at about 25mph, which is fast for a 13' boat of any make.

The classic Boston Whaler 15s are a lot more boat, and with a 50 they will do 35mph. It is also a much more comfortable boat with a deep vee bow. On the trailer my 15 weighs pretty close to 1500lb, so it might be too much for your Honda.

Do you have a first generation CRV or the newer one? My daughter's 2005 CRV is a lot bigger, stronger machine than her 1999 CRV was.

The "tinnys" (Aluminum semi-vee) recommended above are fine for protected fresh water but I would not take one onto big water or salt water.