First trailer, first boat, first post :)

[ngt]

Well, I don't have any of that, besides a first post I am still new to fishing. I started about a year or so ago. I am now ready for a boat so I can hit some spots I can't drive/hike to. Problem is, I have an Infiniti g20, 1999. It's about 2900 pounds and is getting set up with a class 1 hitch that can pull a max of 2000 pounds. Please take it that I know NOTHING ABOUT THIS....because I don't. I was told I could pull a 12 foot aluminum boat and trailer fairly easily, but I was hoping to pull a light 14 foot boat so I could go out with my buddy. He's a BIG guy and the max weight of a 12 foot boat won't hold the two of us and our stuff. So here are my questions....

What are the chances that I could get a 14 foot aluminum boat and trailer in and out of the water with my small front wheel drive car?

What does a 14 foot aluminum boat and trailer usually weigh?

Any advice on getting the boat in and out of the water with a smaller somewhat low car?

Will it be safe driving on the freeway?

Anything else I could do to make this work easier?

I am buying a house in the next week and getting married soon enough, so I don't have a lot of money. Any opinions? thoughts? Advice? would really be appreciated!!!!

thanks!

Eric

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

aluminum, fishing boat, up to 16 feet you should be able to pull with out a problem. something like this.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

You won't have any problems at all as long as the ramp is in ok shape. Front wheel drive cars will pull a boat out and up a ramp better then a 2 wd rear wheel vehicle.
Weight of aluminum boats/trailers varies by what you have in the boat. A plain 14' aluminum boat, trailer and motor might only weigh 500 lbs but if you set it up for bass fishing with decks, trolling motor, batteries, gear, etc you can get over 1000 lbs.

 

[luv2b0at]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

Great idea to get it now, 'cause once your married....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

yeah, take her on a honeymoon cruise.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

I am buying a house in the next week and getting married soon enough, so I don't have a lot of money.

That's one thing I really like about the light weight aluminum fishing setups, they don't cost a whole lot of money (if you're buying used). You can usually find a decent used boat, motor and trailer for $1500 or less around me. Tell the wife that's less than $30 a week to keep you happy.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

Welcome to the marriage club and also to IBOATS FORUM!!!!

 

[need2know]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

you can also check in to rib boat aka inflatable boat there lite and you can find them cheap and i think there better in s.water

 

[cadunkle]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

I'd just pick up an older Ford pickup for $500-$1000 and just use it for towing and winter driving if you get snow where you live. Cheap to buy, cheap to insure. Check Craigslist. I wouldn't want to tow with any unibody vehicle... Too flimsy. That's just my two cents, so take it for what it's worth.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

IMHO, there's no need for a gas guzzling pickup to tow an open aluminum fishing boat that might weigh 800 lb stuffed to the gunwales on a heavy duty trailer. Like most small cars, the Infiniti G20 has a 1000 lb tow rating, so even by conservative North American standards it's up to the task. A unibody car can't tow twice its own weight like a full size truck can, but the boat the OP wants will be less than a third of the car's weight.

As for driving a pickup in the winter, rear wheel drive + slippery conditions = scary. Unless I'm plowing through 6+ inches of fresh snow and need the ground clearance I'll take the front wheel drive car over the pickup.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

I have a 14' alumacraft. its the basic tub. I cant imagine the boat, trailer and outboard weigh anything over 500 or so pounds.

I picked mine up last summer for $750. that was boat, 6HP outboard and trailer. I cant even tell its behind me when pulling it with my Ford Ranger. Around here I see these boats for anywhere from $500-$1000 depending on what outboard is on it. your car should have no issie pulling something like this.

 

[ngt]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

What about a fiberglass boat? This is a bit bigger. 1974, 16 foot tri hull.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: First trailer, first boat, first post

^That will almost certainly be over 1000 lb. If all you want is a fishing boat for smaller lakes, stick with the smaller, lighter aluminum boat. If the higher speed and stability of the bigger boat are important (watersports perhaps?) then you need to think about how you are going to get it to the water. Your hitch may be rated for 2000 lb, but the rest of your car isn't.

If you buy that boat or one like it, your best option is a bigger tow vehicle. A minivan is probably your best option to minimize both purchase and operating costs - used vans are cheap and reasonably fuel efficient. Older half-ton pickups are cheap too, but they're gas guzzlers. A smaller truck or SUV would also work great, but they depreciate more slowly so finding bargains is more difficult.

If you still really want to pull a fiberglass boat with the G20, here's what you need to do:
-Weigh the boat. If it's over 1600-1700 lb empty, forget towing with the car. You need to leave a margin for your stuff.
-Install trailer brakes. This will probably require a new axle as well as a coupler (for surge brakes) or brake controller (for electric). Don't use electric brakes if you might launch in saltwater.
-Install a transmission cooler if you have an automatic. Use premium synthetic lubricant regardless of transmission type and change it at intervals recommended for severe service.
-Use premium synthetic engine oil and change at severe service intervals.
-Give the car a thorough mechanical inspection and fix anything not in good condition.

Even with these precautions you will still need to be careful. Pulling up steep ramps will be hard on the clutch. You may find it difficult to back in far enough to float the boat on a shallow ramp - you may need to extend the tongue. Traction may be a problem on steep or unpaved ramps. You will need to be careful about tongue weight - too little will make it unstable on the highway, too much will unload your front wheels and compromise traction and handling.