towing a 17 foot whaler

[btr0037]

I have a 1971 17 foot Katama with a newer Mariner 90 onit. The trailer is a substantial galvanized nontilter with one axle. <br /><br />I am looking to buy a used Dakota pickup which has a rated towing capacity of 2000 lbs. I have no idea of the weight of my boat and trailer. Does anybody have an idea if this will work? I would prefer not to buy the larger 1500 model truck.

 

[JB]

Re: towing a 17 foot whaler

You will be right on the edge, Katama. Both my 16 Sakonnet and my Montauk 17 weighed right at 2,000lb ready to launch.<br /><br />I towed the Sakonnet with a Toyota pickup with a 2,000lb rating and it worked very hard, particularly on retrieval. Braking was a dicey affair on wet or in a hurry.<br /><br />I later towed it with a Wagoneer rated at 5,000lb and I always towed the Montauk with an ML (also 5,000lb). Either were very secure and effective.<br /><br />I think the 2,000lb rated Dakota would fall short and disappoint you. You might look into what would be required to raise the rating, but I am afraid that would involve changes in gear ratios and springing as well as the usual "tow package" add-ons.

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: towing a 17 foot whaler

I would be more concerned with braking. Everyone thinks power/gears for towing. You must have adequate breaks. Once you get moving, you have to stop!

 

[btr0037]

Re: towing a 17 foot whaler

Thanks for the input. The 1998 Dakota (the one I am contemplating) has a towing rating of 6900 lbs and a payload of 1700 lbs. I have never owned a truck and do not know what the figures really mean. Can such a rated truck tow the 2000lb Katama? I would hope the brakes would be designed in accordance with the towing and payload capacities.

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: towing a 17 foot whaler

if the tow rating is 6900, yes you could tow this boat, you should have ample brakes, etc.<br /><br />the payload is what you put in the bed, fuel, people, tongue weight.<br /><br />on a 2000lb boat, the tongue weight should be well within the payload rating.<br /><br />tow rating is what you're pulling. payload is cargo/fuel/people/tongue weight, etc.<br /><br />make sure it has a transmission cooler as this is a weak link. if not, you could burn a tranny! (especially while backing up)<br /><br />hope this helps

 

[rbruce63]

Re: towing a 17 foot whaler

Can a Montauk 17 with a 90 Hp two stroke be towed safely without a braked trailer over mountainous roads with a GMC Jimmy with a 4.3 liter V6, 3.73 gear ratio, radiator integrated engine oil and transmission oil cooler?

 

[airwarrior]

Re: towing a 17 foot whaler

rbruce I'd check with GM just to be sure... I dont know how much they take "mountiaous roads" into consideration when they build it. But like as mentioned in this thread, all gased and ready to hit the water you are real close to 2000 pounds. If you were towing on flat, or hilly country I think you'd be ok... but you did say mountainous and that sounds like the brakes, transmission and engine will be working much harder. What year is the Jimmy? You can get lots of upgrade parts for them, drilled rotors and higher performance pads would be a good start, that is assuming the vechicle is generally in good mechanical condition.

 

[shes a keeper]

Re: towing a 17 foot whaler

I agree but that 4.3 l is a power house for a short block I had a 1988 astro van and I pulled my montauk with a 100 merc 2 stroke with no problems at all and no brakes on the trailer in N .J but It was the average hill climbs.. brakes are the big answer, good luck <*)))-}} brakes on trailers are the ticket, it`s alot safer as airwarrrior stated check with gm