newbie questions. quick answers :)

[kriegersa]

I know this has been asked probably a 1000 times but i figured i would be lazy

okay so I have never owned a boat, never launched a boat w/o any experienced people, and same with retrieving it.

i own a 2002 Chevy s10 2.2l. 2wd w/ towing package, i've towed trailers fairly comfy with it, but never a boat. i live in North Alabama and have a good amount of decent boat ramps, im just looking at getting a 20hp outboard 14-16 foot aluminum flat-bottom. how much do those generally weigh wet?

and would my truck be able to pull it out with out a problem? thank you very much. and as my first post I would like to introduce my self and say hey to everyone !!

-kriegersa

 

[MNSouthwestfishing]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

Welcome!
You shouldn't have too many problems pulling that boat. It is important to make sure your truck is appropriately equiped before you pull anything though. The boat you described should be fairly light and as far as a weight when it is wet it should be the same as when you launch it. (assuming you meant pulling it out of the water and not a weight with fluids i.e. oil and gas which would be a minimal addition to the dry weight.) I would recommend finding a quiet boat ramp and bring an experienced friend to help practice launching and landing the boat several times before you go out on your own.

Good Luck!

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

You will be fine with weight. If the boat, trailer, motor and gear weight's 700 lbs id be surprised.

Now, the launching and retrieving. Get you a couple soda's and a lawn chair. go down to a dock that you think is busy, but overly so. Then sit and watch. If there gets to be a line at the dock, then go and talk to the people while they are waiting. Most are real nice and may offer to show (or have you help) you some things on how to launch and retrieve. You can also try youtube, but nost of those vids are "things NOT to do". but you need to know those also.

Either way have fun and let us know how things go.....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

Being a two wheel drive rig, you may have an issue on a slippery ramp but there are relatively inexpensive solutions. Tires are a big factor. Tires with an aggressive tread will be better than stock street tires. A little weight in the bed (such as a buddy) will help when pulling the boat out. As for launching and retreival, it's a small boat, back in, push it off (hang on to the dock line obviously). When retreiving, back in close to the dock if possible and walk the boat onto the trailer -- winching it up the rest of the way.

 

[j_martin]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

I had a couple of guys giving me a rough time at a steep ramp about pulling my bass boat out with a front wheel drive Caravan.........

Until they tried to pull theirs out with an S10 with nothing in the box. My partner and I jumped into the truck bed so they could get up the ramp.

Morale of the story, might need a coupla sand bags if the ramps steep. Otherwise it's plenty strong towcar.

hope it helps
john

 

[kriegersa]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

You will be fine with weight. If the boat, trailer, motor and gear weight's 700 lbs id be surprised.

Now, the launching and retrieving. Get you a couple soda's and a lawn chair. go down to a dock that you think is busy, but overly so. Then sit and watch. If there gets to be a line at the dock, then go and talk to the people while they are waiting. Most are real nice and may offer to show (or have you help) you some things on how to launch and retrieve. You can also try youtube, but nost of those vids are "things NOT to do". but you need to know those also.

Either way have fun and let us know how things go.....

Thanks! i've done the youtube think but your other suggestion is awesome! plus i can bring some poles when it isn't busy right now im still in the process of finding a boat. but ill be back on these forums for more info when i need it.

 

[kriegersa]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

Being a two wheel drive rig, you may have an issue on a slippery ramp but there are relatively inexpensive solutions. Tires are a big factor. Tires with an aggressive tread will be better than stock street tires. A little weight in the bed (such as a buddy) will help when pulling the boat out. As for launching and retreival, it's a small boat, back in, push it off (hang on to the dock line obviously). When retreiving, back in close to the dock if possible and walk the boat onto the trailer -- winching it up the rest of the way.

I was thinking about getting more aggressive tires anyways. sweet! now i got a reason

I had a couple of guys giving me a rough time at a steep ramp about pulling my bass boat out with a front wheel drive Caravan.........

Until they tried to pull theirs out with an S10 with nothing in the box. My partner and I jumped into the truck bed so they could get up the ramp.

Morale of the story, might need a coupla sand bags if the ramps steep. Otherwise it's plenty strong towcar.

hope it helps
john

haha, yeah those s10's are light. thanks for the reply.

also i have another question. I only have a bumper hitch, now the under the bumper kind, will that work or should i look at getting a bolt on hitch for it?

 

[j_martin]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

I was thinking about getting more aggressive tires anyways. sweet! now i got a reason



haha, yeah those s10's are light. thanks for the reply.

also i have another question. I only have a bumper hitch, now the under the bumper kind, will that work or should i look at getting a bolt on hitch for it?

A step bumper hitch would probably do it, but a class 2 frame hitch is worth it's weight in gold for peace of mind, and extra strength if you need it in a weird situation, like having a hooked up rig pulled out of mud by the trailer.

A clamp on bumper hitch is inadequate.

hope it helps
john

 

[kriegersa]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

A step bumper hitch would probably do it, but a class 2 frame hitch is worth it's weight in gold for peace of mind, and extra strength if you need it in a weird situation, like having a hooked up rig pulled out of mud by the trailer.

A clamp on bumper hitch is inadequate.

hope it helps
john

so you think my bumper hitch will be fine? but if i want extra security (which im all about) i should go for class 2?
and could i get a bolt on kit, or something of that nature. because i dont weld, and i dont know anyone who does a good job. lol.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

Once you have a boat & trailer check the trailer hitch height when the trailer frame is level; that is, parallel to the ground. My guess is that size boat may use a pretty low trailer frame position.
For highway speed towing if the bumper mounted hitch ball makes the trailer tongue off level you may want a receiver (the square tube system) & drop shank to adjust the ball height. Level trailer frames will behave best in maneuvers like emergency braking or quick lane changes.
If you are going to the ramp by yourself and won't have a buddy to add weight in the bed for drive wheel traction you can carry some weight in the truck. You could take gas tanks or coolers out of the boat & put them in the truck to add weight. You could also fill the truck with fuel, gas weighs around 7.5 lbs per gallon.


I agree with the other advice too.

 

[JimMH]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

definitely put a reciever hitch on that truck so you can adjust the ball height for drop or rise so you can get the the trailer level for a good pull. A steep ramp may present a problem from a weight/traction stand point.

 

[kriegersa]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

wow thanks ya'll for the quick replys roughly how much do these systems cost? like i have the whole light's reciever and everything but could i go to autozone and order one of these?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

$250ish tops. Check your local U-Haul. Also, I had one installed by a local shop that dealt with truck accessories. (caps, etc)

 

[kriegersa]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

$250ish tops. Check your local U-Haul. Also, I had one installed by a local shop that dealt with truck accessories. (caps, etc)

I found one online for 143 shipped and it looks like a bolt on system which is what im looking at doing. http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx?attribute_value_string%7cBrand=Hidden+Hitch&category%7ccategory_root%7c-29=Towing&partfamilyid=4083#resultsis the link for it, it has a max tounge weight of 300 lbs and a GTW of 3500, and also Black Powdercoat Finish, Lifetime Warranty.

its On Sale: $132.29 Each

what do ya'll think about that?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

For some reason I can't get the site to load. However it sounds like a winner to me.

 

[JimMH]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

You can find a Bolt on system for around $125.00. They are built for the specific vehicle and usually bolt up without any modification. The Uhaul places also do very good work.

 

[kriegersa]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

For some reason I can't get the site to load. However it sounds like a winner to me.

cool

You can find a Bolt on system for around $125.00. They are built for the specific vehicle and usually bolt up without any modification. The Uhaul places also do very good work.

I would love to go to a Uhaul place because it would be local but if its a bolt up system i think i could do it im just worried about paying retail prices on things like that. I work at lowe's and i know how high the markup on these things can be


but I guess you never know until you go check it out.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

This is where I got mine...they seem to have some pretty good deals, have great instructions and the people were a pleasure to deal with:

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2002_Chevrolet_S-10+Pickup.htm

 

[kriegersa]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

hey guys thanks for the reply now i need some help with the actual boat its self, i've found someone selling a 14ft semi v starcraft 48 in wide, 18 Horse Evinrude Fastwin motor, its been in storage so it hasn't been ran for about 2 yrs. the guy says it needs the motor could use a carb clean and plugs(have no idea what that means ), comes with a Minn-Kotta Trolling motor. here are some pictures of it. he's selling it for only 525 dollars but then that makes me suspicions because i dont want to put 500 bucks into something that ill have to spend another 500 bucks for ORRRR... should i save up another 1000 dollars and spend a little more on something more what i am looking for. (im looking for a flatbottom/ semi v with good trailer, good 18 or more horse motor, something that will last me 2+ years, and something i could tow behind my truck <--- for relevance )

so i guess what my questions are this:
do you think this is a good boat for a starter?
should i wait and save up for something better?
would you put the money into this boat.
what questions should i ask the owner?
what all do i need to do to get this boat ready.
and could someone explain to me what cleaning the carb entails and putting plugs in the motor means lol

thanks!!

-Kriegersa

ps: here are some pics

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq22/kriegersa1013/forsale150.jpg

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq22/kriegersa1013/forsale149.jpg

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq22/kriegersa1013/forsale148.jpg

 

[ezmobee]

Re: newbie questions. quick answers

I'd buy that in a heartbeat for $500. Go GET IT!