Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

[Brew]

I'm trying to get a ballpark estimate of what my boat/motor/trailer weighs. It is a 1985 16' Invader (fiberglass) with a 1986 Evinrude 140hp.<br /><br />I'd take it to a weigh scale, but it's up on blocks and tarped for the winter at the moment.<br /><br />I'm considering purchaing a minivan and wondering if it would be capable of towing my outfit. I need to get some idea of weight to compare to towing capacites of various vehicles.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[jee70611]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Choose your model from here and it should give you the dry weight.<br /><br /> Nada Guides (boat) <br /><br />Then choose your engine model number from here.<br /> Nada Guides (Engine) <br /><br />Then add the weights of the boat, motor, and trailer together to get the total dry weight. Sorry, but I wouldn't know how much your trailer weighs. Be sure to take into consideration gas, gear, people, etc. Hope this helps. <br /><br />James

 

[magster65]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

We just bought a minivan (1991 Aerostar). Upon doing my research I noted that most minivans have a towing package available and I recommend opting for it if you're going to do much towing. This option gives you larger brakes and sway bar. Also, TRANSMISSIONS! Call your local trans. shop before you buy one, there are certain models to avoid. I've towed many miles and nothing beats a 4x4, especially at a slippery ramp! Happy Yachting!

 

[Brew]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.<br /><br />Any idea what a gallon of gas weighs?<br /><br />Cheers,

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Not to be exact or anything, but it weighs 6.152 LB Per Gal!

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Brew. Brew. Don't be asking these guys what a gallon of gas weighs. They don't even know how big a gallon is <br /><br />Figure 10 lbs (4.5 Kg) per gallon of gas. It isn't quite that much but ic close.<br /><br />The minivan with the highest tow rating is the GM Astro/Safari and can be had in AWD (good for boat ramps) with the towing package giving 3.73 gears and all the coolers you need (tranny, oil). From GM's site, the AWD is rated for 5,100 Lbs.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

10 LBS??? Maybe in Canada<br /><br />Water weighs 8.34 lbs. Density of fuel is .721. So multiply and whatever you get...

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Sounds like Tacklewasher is including the weight of those "Jerry" cans in the 10# figure?

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

ahh in Canada is it Imperial gallons? Cause that might be why he said 10# a gallon?

 

[skier]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

If your are intent on a minivan, then go with the Astro/Safari. If it were me, I would go with a full sized van or truck with a V-8 and a tow package. Not as much of a streign on the vehicle.<br /><br />Long live Full Size Trucks/Vans and the V-8 and rear wheel drive/4X4. FWD sucks for towing/driving for that matter.<br /><br />Craig

 

[flashback]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

there are a lot of truck stop/weigh stations around that will weigh your rig, just look for a truckstop that has scales.........

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Got to be Imperial gallons. Nobody could get that far off otherwise. I really got messed up shipping product to England a few years back. Our definitions of "ton" weren't the same and there was months of arguing before someone figured it out.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

By definition an imperial gallon is:<br /><br />The volume which 10 pounds of distilled water requires at 62 degrees F, at a barametric pressure of 30.000 inches, or 277.274 cubic inches.<br /><br />Also, 1.2009 US gallons.<br /><br />But the last 10 times I was in Canada they sold their gas in liters, 4 liters equals approx. <br />1 us gallon plus 7.2 oz.<br /><br />An imperial gallon of gasoline would only weigh 7.3824 lbs.

 

[Brew]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Ok, Ok. I was only looking for a "ballpark" number. Didn't intend start an international debate over the weight of a can of gas.<br /><br />Thank you all for your input.<br /><br />Cheers.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

See Brew, I was right. They don't even know how big a gallon is down there. <br /><br />5 gallons Imperial is about 6 gallons US.<br /><br />I know I was a bit high (is fuel really that much lighter than water? Doesn't feel like it when I'm carrying it) but I just use it as a rule of thumb.<br /><br />Oh. And Jack, better to have a bit of an argument than have a Mars Rover go missing

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Oh and I do agree with Merc. While I like the Astro/Safari, I drive a full size GMC. Way better for towing around BC but we have hills here (just trying to stir something else up) and towing is much easier with the V8. My brother tows a trailer with an Astro, but he lives in Winnipeg where ther is a 20 mile run up to the hills.

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

Brew:<br /><br />Just my 2 cents. In an earlier lifetime I drove a gas tanker. Temp. Brametric Pressure affect the gravity of gasoline. When pulling 8,500 gallons of the stuff we figured 6.5lbs per gallon to be safe at the scales. I am betting your pull will come in around 3,500lbs. You should give yourself some saftey margin with the towing capacity 15-20%. Make sure the tower has a tranny oil cooler and consider braking power if you are pulling through hills. Good Luck

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

HELLO BREW<br />Most mini vans have a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lb with tailer tow packages and v/6 engines.<br />some of the rear wheel drive mini vans have better tow capabilities up to 5500 lbs. frt whl drives dont perform to well when trying to pull a boat out of the water on a slippery slope.

 

[skier]

Re: Boat Weight? Tow Vehicle?

I totally agree. Btu I'll go a few steps further. FWD leaves a lot to be desired doing anything. The only reason that most cars are FWD is it's easier and cheeper to build. You don't see them racing FWD's in Nascar or Bush. State Troupers use RWD and most city police use RWD. Yes FWD might get you going better in snow and ice, but, just because you can go doesn't mean that you should. If I can't get going, that also means that I probably can't stop, so Why would I want to go in the first place. In RWD if the back end starts to come around while going down hill in the snow. All I have to do is downshift to bring it back. Try that in a FWD and you'll be in the ditch.<br /><br />Long live RWD / 4WD<br /><br />Craig