Anybody know??

[bob844]

If I can pull a 17' 3" 1970 fiberglass boat with a 115HP Mercury motor short distances, under 20 miles. I imagine launch and retrieve are out of the question:grumpy:

The boat is a Caravelle Barracuda and it's not here; it's where I'm going for the summer so I can't weigh it. Thanks

 

[NYBo]

Re: Anybody know??

Sorry, but I don't understand the question.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Anybody know??

If you are strong enough I guess you could do it. But I'd use a car or truck.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Anybody know??

are you talking about the ford escort, mentioned in your other post?

 

[bob844]

Re: Anybody know??

Yes. I wasn't getting any replies over there.

I have no idea what my boat weighs and it's too old ask the (deceased) manufacturer. I'm hoping against hope I can move it short distances with a '95 Ford Escort.

Does anyone have an idea what this boat weighs?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Anybody know??

are you talking about the ford escort, mentioned in your other post?

I think you have broken the code: http://forums.iboats.com/caravelle-boats/how-heavy-my-caravelle-607859.html

You would be out of your mind to try to tow that boat with that car on any public road or at anything above walking speed, IMO.

 

[bob844]

Re: Anybody know??

Yeah, the question does sound a bit stupid. I was thinking more about my 1 finger typing and left the critical part out.
1995 Ford Escort, towing capacity 1000 lb.

I'm pretty sure the boat and trailer weigh more than that but was hoping to utilize the "fudge factor"

 

[bob844]

Re: Anybody know??

"You would be out of your mind"
I appreciate a decisive answer. Thanks

 

[NYBo]

Re: Anybody know??

Here are the specs for your boat if it's a 1970 with I/O: Boat: 1970 Caravelle Boats Barracuda

If it's really a 1969 with an outboard (doesn't appear to be an O/B for 1970): Boat: 1969 Caravelle Boats CX-172-A Barracuda

The I/O specs include the weight of the motor and outdrive, the O/B specs are just for the bare hull. Neither includes the weight of the trailer. In all you are looking at something between 2500 and 3000 pounds.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Anybody know??

"You would be out of your mind"
I appreciate a decisive answer. Thanks

I did write "IMO". :redface:

 

[CaptTorS]

Re: Anybody know??

If this is a serious question, the answer is NO, I have a 15.5 foot fiberglass boat, with a 9.9 & a 125 horse on the back, with a 2" ball, and it was all my Chrysler mini van with receiver hitch could handle .

 

[bob844]

Re: Anybody know??

Wow!! 2500 to 3000 It might very well be a 1969. I've had it since 1977 and the co-worker I bought it from (took over payments) claimed it was a 1970. I know someone took a lot of trouble to make the motor look newer; allegedly a 1974 but really a 1970 according to the serial number.

I never worried about the weight because I've always had a truck or van to tow with, but I'll be stuck this summer with the Escort. Thanks for the links.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Anybody know??

Well, Bob844: While most will say it is absolutely impossible, in reality it is not. YES it is foolish and yes, it can be a dangerous thing. BUT---it can be done.

For example: One year in desperation I towed my 18 foot Renkin with a 120 outboard for 17 miles at speed up to 45-50 with a Chevy cavalier 2 door, 2.5 liter 4 cylinder coupe. It actually towed rather well and was better on the ramp than the mini-van I usually used. I was on a 2 lane highway with a state speed limit of 55 and traffic was such that I was able to maintain a large distance between me and the cars in front to avoid drama when braking.

Would I do it again? Probably not! Would I do it on a regular basis? definitely not. Here is a case of using an eminently unsuitable tow vehicle and being both lucky and skilled---and believe me: Luck played a much larger part than skill.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Anybody know??

the escort in the usa is not tow rated but the euro one is at 2000lb with 200lb on the ball the trouble is that your train weight means the car would have to be empty e.g no extra cargo in the car as you would be pushing what the brakes could stop. (the hitch is bolted to the body so its not the toughest mounting point and should not be over loaded). 3000lb over a few miles on back roads slowly could be done but it may result in broken rear springs (they break easy i know from experience then the car gets uncontrollable as it sways all over the place) or tears to the mounting points of the hitch. Launching would be the real problem as the boat would be heavy on the rear and the front wheel will be unloaded (no weight on them) so you will wheel spin a lot and may not make it out.
All in its a bad idea that some people would risk when there no other option late at night but its not one that you should set out and try.

 

[Alan Calfer]

Re: Anybody know??

Dude, PLEASE try and tow anything with your Escort..and video taple for me!

Just kidding.. look, the tongue weight is just goint to be too much, nevermind how much it will cost you to put in a new tranny .

Yeah, the question does sound a bit stupid. I was thinking more about my 1 finger typing and left the critical part out.
1995 Ford Escort, towing capacity 1000 lb.

I'm pretty sure the boat and trailer weigh more than that but was hoping to utilize the "fudge factor"

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Anybody know??

the escort will probably pull the boat, hard to say how far or if you would measure that in miles feet or inches though, I think the bigger problem would be stopping, especially in an emergency

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Anybody know??

I am so sick of hearing what European cars are rated to tow.... If you plan to tow in America then euro specs mean exactly NOTHING.

Heck, in IRAQ they might tow with camels but don't try that on an American turnpike!

It would be grossly negligent to tow that boat at more than walking speed with that car.

 

[bob844]

Re: Anybody know??

Well, Bob844: While most will say it is absolutely impossible, in reality it is not. YES it is foolish and yes, it can be a dangerous thing. BUT---it can be done.

For example: One year in desperation I towed my 18 foot Renkin with a 120 outboard for 17 miles at speed up to 45-50 with a Chevy cavalier 2 door, 2.5 liter 4 cylinder coupe. It actually towed rather well and was better on the ramp than the mini-van I usually used. I was on a 2 lane highway with a state speed limit of 55 and traffic was such that I was able to maintain a large distance between me and the cars in front to avoid drama when braking.

Would I do it again? Probably not! Would I do it on a regular basis? definitely not. Here is a case of using an eminently unsuitable tow vehicle and being both lucky and skilled---and believe me: Luck played a much larger part than skill.

I'm convinced. I could probably tow, if that's the right word, that boat on a straight and level stretch of pavement at low speed and short distance but I'm afraid launching or retrieving would quickly turn into an episode of "America's Funniest Videos".

I guess I either take the truck up north this year or use the boat as part of the landscaping. Thanks for all the comments.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Anybody know??

Towed my 9-n ford tractor with a ford tempo...... Actually went by a state patrol,thought here we go,I figured I was in deep trouble!
He just shook his head and looked away,would I do it again? Absolutely not! Could not go over 25mph with it on.....that was really stupid of me.I'll never overload a car again,I suggest you don't either. Stupid human trick #1 !
Grub

 

[pckeen]

Re: Anybody know??

Like most of the posters here, I would not reccomend this. The problem with a boat of this age, is it may no longer weigh what it originally did - due to modifications, changes in motors, waterlogging of foam etc. If you want to know what the boat currently weighs, contact your local municipality or landfill - they may have a scale that can weight it for you. I can say that the boat should be way over the capacity of your car.