Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

[Neodoxa]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

What boat did you buy?


Pics or it didn't happen!

Pics will be up tomorrow or so. Bought the SeaStar for $450 with 9.5hp and 75hp Evinrudes + trolling motor. Interior was almost brand new. Floor was fiberglass/solid. Transom was wood but sturdy as heck. If need be, I can fix it down the road... I had started building my own homemade wooden/fiberglass boat a couple years ago and I have 3 gallons epoxy and 6 yards of fiberglass cloth from that project. Perfect for fixing any potential problems with this new boat.

I'm happy to be a new boat owner... and I can't wait to play a part in these wonderful forums. You guys have been a great help to me over the past couple of days.

 

[444]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

I would say from experience that both boats are going to be too heavy to tow with your jeep. I had a 2004 tj with the 4L. It was lifted with 33s and I towed my skidoo trailer with 2 atvs, 1 probably 350 lbs and the other around 500 lbs. I could not hit 100km/hr (60mph) in 5th gear on a long stretch of highway. When I was going up a hill on the highway I came to the top of the hill in 2nd gear doing less then 50km/hr.
Just talking from experience, so I would recommend going for a ride with some hills while pulling the boat before purchasing. Oh and I got about 10mpg while pulling that trailer :S

My 88 YJ with he carbed 4.2 and a stick shift, lifted 2.25" with 32's couldn't hit 100km/h in 5th with no trailer! Had to speed up to 90 in 4th, then dump it into 5th. Shift into 5th at 80 or 90 and I would lose speed! That bagged out engine with those gears sucked!

 

[delirious]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

Thanks for the reply. I thought the towing capacity was 2000 lbs? I'm thinking both of these are over 1500 with trailer/motor. Hmmm. I figured I was ok because they'd most likely be under 2000.

Another thing is that the 15' Sea Star may be a bit smaller, lighter, and easier to tow around with a Jeep. I don't know.

Anyone else have an opinion?

seriously? 1500? damn jeeps r weak lol. i tow my 14foot with a 65 merc on it with a 2006 ford focus wagon (dont laugh the car was free lol) and it tows effortlessly however...ramp retrieval is a little difficult for it.

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

Congrats on the new purchase! Nice to see another SeaStar tri-hull owner on here now! lol I have a '75 16' SeaStar Capri tri-hull. As for the towing 'issue', for one I would ask what motor you have in it, and if it's mated to an auto or manual trans... If you have the 4.0 in it, believe me you won't have ANY issues as far as power goes... wife and I had a '99 cherokee sport for 10yrs. had the 4.0 I-6 in it and auto trans. that thing was a TANK, and those motors are bullet proof!.. I don't believe they started making the 3.7's for the wranglers until '05, so your safe there... those things are DOGS.. brother has an '08 wrangler with that 3.7 and 'tow's' his 18' bayliner bowrider with it.. it barely has the power to pull itself up the ramp, let alone with the boat on the trailer. Biggest issue with using a wrangler for towing is that short wheelbase.

Not sure about the 15' seastar, but I wouldn't think it would be too far off from my 16' and it weighs in at right around 964lbs dry weight.. no fuel or gear.. just the hull and merc 850 motor.. All together, my setup (boat, gear and trailer) weigh in at right around 1800lbs., but bear in mind, I keep a lot of extra gear in mine as I frequently have the family in it which consists of three kids, one of which is only 10 months old.

 

[Neodoxa]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

seriously? 1500? damn jeeps r weak lol. i tow my 14foot with a 65 merc on it with a 2006 ford focus wagon (dont laugh the car was free lol) and it tows effortlessly however...ramp retrieval is a little difficult for it.

It's not that Jeeps are weak. After towing home my new boat for 80 miles, I never had a problem at all. It's just respecting the wheel base and the fact that a Jeep isn't designed to tow really anything. My friend towed a 19' Bayliner easily with the 4.0 in a Wrangler. Not that I'd recommend doing that due to the safety issues of it. I think that the max tow weight of around 2000lbs is because of how easy it is to lose control in a vehicle that small and awkward with towing.

 

[Neodoxa]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

I would say from experience that both boats are going to be too heavy to tow with your jeep. I had a 2004 tj with the 4L. It was lifted with 33s and I towed my skidoo trailer with 2 atvs, 1 probably 350 lbs and the other around 500 lbs. I could not hit 100km/hr (60mph) in 5th gear on a long stretch of highway. When I was going up a hill on the highway I came to the top of the hill in 2nd gear doing less then 50km/hr.
Just talking from experience, so I would recommend going for a ride with some hills while pulling the boat before purchasing. Oh and I got about 10mpg while pulling that trailer :S

Is this for real? I really don't see how you could be having that big of a problem with just the weight you are describing. I mean, I literally traveled 80 miles on the highway with this boat... up hills, down hills, up pretty steep inclines, etc... I never went below 4th gear and never went under 55mph or so. I had 3 other people in my Jeep, along with the 15' boat/trailer/motor. I just don't see how a 4.0 Wrangler can vary THAT much... I mean... 2nd gear doing less than 30mph?! That's insane!

 

[Neodoxa]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

Congrats on the new purchase! Nice to see another SeaStar tri-hull owner on here now! lol I have a '75 16' SeaStar Capri tri-hull. As for the towing 'issue', for one I would ask what motor you have in it, and if it's mated to an auto or manual trans... If you have the 4.0 in it, believe me you won't have ANY issues as far as power goes... wife and I had a '99 cherokee sport for 10yrs. had the 4.0 I-6 in it and auto trans. that thing was a TANK, and those motors are bullet proof!.. I don't believe they started making the 3.7's for the wranglers until '05, so your safe there... those things are DOGS.. brother has an '08 wrangler with that 3.7 and 'tow's' his 18' bayliner bowrider with it.. it barely has the power to pull itself up the ramp, let alone with the boat on the trailer. Biggest issue with using a wrangler for towing is that short wheelbase.

Not sure about the 15' seastar, but I wouldn't think it would be too far off from my 16' and it weighs in at right around 964lbs dry weight.. no fuel or gear.. just the hull and merc 850 motor.. All together, my setup (boat, gear and trailer) weigh in at right around 1800lbs., but bear in mind, I keep a lot of extra gear in mine as I frequently have the family in it which consists of three kids, one of which is only 10 months old.

Thanks for the reply! Haha yeah, nice to see another SeaStar owner!

Yep, I towed her home with a Jeep Wrangler 4.0L I6. Manual transmission.

Boat ended up making it home just fine. I can't wait to get her out on the lakes and to start tinkering with fixing stuff on her.

Take care!

 

[delirious]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

yeah ...they deff would pull the weight off your steering tires in like you said, an already unstable vehicle. I remeber bringing home a 9.9 ford posi rear diff n axels in the back of my ford tempo...felt like my front wheels were barely kissin the road. but i would guess towing that weight would be more or less noticable depending on tongue weight???

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

Thanks for the reply! Haha yeah, nice to see another SeaStar owner!

Yep, I towed her home with a Jeep Wrangler 4.0L I6. Manual transmission.

Boat ended up making it home just fine. I can't wait to get her out on the lakes and to start tinkering with fixing stuff on her.

Take care!

As for the hull, I can tell you that I've done quite a few 'mods/upgrades' to mine.. including installing stereo system, installing antenna mast (original set up did not have any am/fm or vhf antenna mounts), and most recently installing a set of cleats mid-bow, at the front/bottom of windshield... these hulls are very well made, and solid.

As for getting her running, just do us all a big favor (mostly a HUGE favor to yourself), and read up/learn how to replace the water pump impeller before you even think of firing up that motor... with an engine that age and not truly knowing the history (same situation I was in with mine, 1975 85hp merc. guy said he just installed a new impeller, but you never can truly know unless you've known them and helped change it! lol) I wouldn't even put muff's on it to test the old one... considering they only cost $8-20 dependant on motor (mine was $11) and only take maybe a couple hours from start to finish to replace, it's well worth it to know you aren't going to fry the motor.

I'll apologize in advance if you already knew everything I just stated.. never mean to insult anyone's intelligence, just tryin to be helpful in that, even if you are a motorhead with vehicles like I am, a boat motor does have some key differences in the operation that, if not for growing up on boats and helping my dad with maintenance, I would have never known.

yeah ...they deff would pull the weight off your steering tires in like you said, an already unstable vehicle. I remeber bringing home a 9.9 ford posi rear diff n axels in the back of my ford tempo...felt like my front wheels were barely kissin the road. but i would guess towing that weight would be more or less noticable depending on tongue weight???

Was gonna be my next point... there are a lot of percentages that get thrown around for what % of weight should be on the tongue.. however, it's my belief that, since no two tow vehicles are alike, tongue weight is about 80% dependent on the specific, primary tow vehicle. With that being said, you do still have to make sure you don't get the distribution of the weight too far out of wack, end up with too much tongue weight, make your steering squirrely.. too much weight towards rear, end up with a trailer that looks like it's going through a slalom...

 

[leakywire]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

As a person new to towing be sure all your tire pressures are accurate and plan farther in advance lane changes, My younger brother thinks that when towing you are supposed to keep the land speed records alive, I went with him to help lift an organ for my niece onto a trailer - I am amazed it did not fall off after the second turn. I haul a 19 ft inboard with a dodge caravan, you will know it is me staying to the right lane following the speed limit on my way to the lake.
Have fun with your new-2-you boat and I would advise to replace the water impellor in both motors, like others said there are videos out there - you do not have to go to the library anymore and wait for it to be returned but any overheating motor can spoil the best plans and checkbook.

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Which ~ 500 dollar boat is better?

As a person new to towing be sure all your tire pressures are accurate and plan farther in advance lane changes, My younger brother thinks that when towing you are supposed to keep the land speed records alive. I haul a 19 ft inboard with a dodge caravan, you will know it is me staying to the right lane following the speed limit on my way to the lake.

Another very good point that isn't brought up often enough... another point to bring up along with the speed/lane change, is for one, make sure you have big enough mirrors, and adjusted right.. with that size boat/trailer, you should be able to check both side mirrors and see all but the very rear of the boat, I'll also add this... I may be a bit paranoid/overkill with this part, but when I'm towing my boat, or any trailer for that matter, my head is basically on a swivel, constantly switching between looking ahead, and checking both side mirrors. Believe me, when I tow to Lake Erie (2 1/2hrs drive), by the time we get there my neck is actually tired lol. I'm another one that when I'm out on the highway, I try to stay in the right lane as much as possible, holding a steady speed... only exception to this rule is, you have to plan in advance for hills... if you see your coming up on a fairly steep grade, or long hill, when possible try to get your speed up just a bit (if limit is 60mph, I will get my truck up to about 65 by the time I start up the hill) this way you don't bog your tow vehicle so much that either A) you end up constantly shifting gears to try and hold speed, or B) people behind you that don't understand towing come flying up on you as you start to loose speed.