ATV for launch?

[drknute3]

Getting back into boating after a 6 year break due to work and starting family. Kids are old enough now so we can all enjoy the water. Looking to buy a 2000 Cobalt 206 with Volvo DP 5.0. We would tow it with our 38' RV for camping by the lake. The problem is that most of the lakes here in Iowa require that the boat be pulled out of the water each night. Not going to break camp and use the RV every night and morning. Do ATV's or even the Ranger or Mule type ATV's have enough power and traction to pull a 21 foot Cobalt out of the water safely? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Another side question is how much noticeable power difference is there between the 5.0 Volvo DP and the 5.7? The other 206 we are looking at has the 5.7 but is a 3 grand more. The 5.0 is a better looking boat but its 4 hours away. the 5.7 is local but havent drove it yet. Just wondering if the difference is an issue?

Thanks
Bill

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: ATV for launch?

No, on the ATV for a 20 footer.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: ATV for launch?

the difference of the motors depends on what you are going to be doing. if you are going to load the boat with people and try to do water sport at the same time. 5.7, if just 2 or 3 in the boat, and water sports 5.0 will be fine. i have a 23' deckboat. 5.7 VP SX drive. with 8 aboard we can still do water sports. the boat is rated for 13 aboard, and handles very nicely when loaded. but is a little slack for water sports then.

 

[drknute3]

Re: ATV for launch?

The boat is rated for 10 people. Most times it will be me and my wife. I weigh 210 and my wife weighs, well...ALOT less. Our 2 kids weigh about 70 pounds together. Would mostly be doing water sports. So the 5.0 should be plenty of motor?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: ATV for launch?

Call around to the campgrounds and see if any on the water offer a launch and pull service. Your dilemma must be quite common with other campers and the campground customers.
If those are commercial campgrounds and the rule of no boats in the water are enforced, I bet there are campgrounds that have a kid in a junkie truck that pulls boats out at the end of the day for their campers.
If I were a campground operator I would certainly look at having that as a lure to get more customers into my campground.

 

[drknute3]

Re: ATV for launch?

These are public lakes and the campgrounds are state owned. the campground we used to enjoy had a nice little inlet bay where we could beach the boat and the RV was only 40-50 feet away. It is quite aways away from the marina and ramps. The rules say the boat either has to be anchored or trailered. maybe I will just anchor it 3 or 4 feet from shore.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: ATV for launch?

remember kids grow, and want to take friends, then you ask another couple, or relatives to join you. as far as anchoring that is great, we do a lot of anchoring on beaches and sandbars, you deploy your bow anchor, then back down so it hooks, then let out line to where you can walk to shore, and anchor a stern anchor. we do this instead of bow beaching the boat. bottom picture is how not to do it.

 

[drknute3]

Re: ATV for launch?

remember kids grow, and want to take friends, then you ask another couple, or relatives to join you. as far as anchoring that is great, we do a lot of anchoring on beaches and sandbars, you deploy your bow anchor, then back down so it hooks, then let out line to where you can walk to shore, and anchor a stern anchor. we do this instead of bow beaching the boat. QUOTE]

This technique is allowed on lakes that prohibit overnight beaching?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: ATV for launch?

the boat is anchored. it is not beached. i also have one of these.

http://tuggyproducts.com/anchorbuddy.html

 

[Titanium48]

Re: ATV for launch?

There is another option in this situation if your state allows it, and according to the towing laws sticky, Iowa does. Sell the motorhome and buy a 5th wheel RV trailer and a 3/4 ton crew cab pickup. Add a hitch to the RV trailer and tow the works to the lake. Drop the boat near the launch, park the RV, then come back and launch the boat. You then have a truck to launch and recover your boat while your RV stays at your campsite. The truck will also come in handy for trips into town to restock forgotten or depleted supplies, not to mention hauling stuff when you're not at the lake.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: ATV for launch?

No, on the ATV for a 20 footer.

The Cobalt is a very substantial boat weighing in over 3800 with fuel (not counting toys). The UTV Ranger is rated at 1500 for towing. I am afraid the brakes would not hold and something in the drivelive would slip. You "might" get away with moving the boat on level ground since there will be almost 400 lbs on the rear axle.....

Call ahead and ask the campground if they tow out for $25.... that is a fair price. I would pull a boat out for $25 and that would certainly be cheaper than another rig to move around.

 

[tealracing16]

Re: ATV for launch?

remember kids grow, and want to take friends, then you ask another couple, or relatives to join you. as far as anchoring that is great, we do a lot of anchoring on beaches and sandbars, you deploy your bow anchor, then back down so it hooks, then let out line to where you can walk to shore, and anchor a stern anchor. we do this instead of bow beaching the boat. bottom picture is how not to do it.

That's hilarious!! When I was on spring break we rented jet skis and helped a guy in the exact same situtation. I thought this could've only been done once.

 

[matt9923]

Re: ATV for launch?

Its traction. ATVs are powerful. It depend swhat size yoiu want to get a 400cc wont do it. I have a 700 Yamaha grizzly. I put my 14foot boat and 2 skis in the water all the time. The breaks will definitely stop the tiers but will the tiers stop the boat? I launch on grass so im fine but if its wet i ti my winch to a tree and the winch pulls both up like a toy. If your on a wet paved surface i wouldn't try it you slip right in. Especially on a 20+ footer. The motor could pull that boat like a toy but traction/weight is the question. A utv would do the trick but how will u bring it their? If your towing the boat? Anchor it up that sounds easy.
I don't take any chances with slipping in the water with a 11k atv.
Matt

 

[45Auto]

Re: ATV for launch?

I would think that a 20' Cobalt is going to be way out of the controlability range for an ATV. On some ramps, my 22' Crownline, probably about the same weight as the Cobalt, will drag my Jeep Cherokee down the ramp with all 4 wheels locked up and skidding till the boat floats off the trailer. Although it never has any trouble pulling it back up, even in 2WD high range. Never had to go to 4WD to pull it out. It's possible that you could pull it out with the ATV, but have no control if you try to launch with it.

 

[mthieme]

Re: ATV for launch?

You may find that your ATV might have enough power but it may not have the braking capacity - that's going to be a lot of weight for those little calipers...ran into this issue using a farm tractor.

 

[matt9923]

Re: ATV for launch?

You may find that your ATV might have enough power but it may not have the braking capacity - that's going to be a lot of weight for those little calipers...ran into this issue using a farm tractor.

Ya i have 10 inch aftermarket disk breaks in each wheel the tiers going to slip before the breaks will. If i question i use the winch!! that wont slip

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: ATV for launch?

Good brakes are one thing. The boat dragging the ATV down the ramp with all wheels locked is another. I would certainly not do it.

 

[KM2]

Re: ATV for launch?

I use a 450 yamaha or a 650 arctic cat atv to launch our fishing boat that weighs maybe 2000# It's a beach launch and it's not steep at all, so it works just fine. That being said, your boat is much bigger. A UTV likely could do it under the right conditions but you are way over the rated capacity of the machine. I would also worry about moving that heavy of load around on conrete or asphalt that your going to break a axle trying to turn.

How would you get the RV, boat and ATV/UTV to the campground?

 

[Irv964]

Re: ATV for launch?

I agree, that is a lot of boat for an atv!! I use to use my Yamaha Grizzly occassionaly to launch and pull out my old 16.5 SmokerCraft with a 50 on it and you certainly knew it was attached to the atv! It made the front end fairly light and it certainly squashed out my suspension some. It was also a chore pulling it out on the beach, pretty hard to get traction/momentum with the trailer tires half buried in the sand under the water...
Sounds like your best bet is anchoring or selling the motor home and getting a tag along? Good Luck........Irv964