launching questions

[billstoudt]

Hi i just bought a 1988 20 ft bayliner capri i was able to tow it home fine with my 06 pathfinder. but my neighbor mentioned that i probably would not be able to launch or retrieve it. my pathfinder has a 6000 pound towing capaicty but with the hills involved in launching i'm a bit concerned that its not up to the task.

anyone have any thoughts.

thanks.

Bill

 

[Kamdyn]

Re: launching questions

Your Pathfinder is it a V6? And how much does your whole package weighs?

 

[vithang]

Re: launching questions

I dont know what condition is your car. But I have 85 20' sunbird cuddy cabin and I tow, launch and retrieve it fine with a 98 tacoma.... 4 cylinder. Low gear when you launch and retrieve. I am only five miles from the ocean so I am not concern about the distance tow. I dont think it's a problem with your car.

 

[billstoudt]

Re: launching questions

yes my pathfinder is a V6 how do i find out how much the boat weighs ?

 

[Kamdyn]

Re: launching questions

I dont know what condition is your car. But I have 85 20' sunbird cuddy cabin and I tow, launch and retrieve it fine with a 98 tacoma.... 4 cylinder. Low gear when you launch and retrieve. I am only five miles from the ocean so I am not concern about the distance tow. I dont think it's a problem with your car.

If your launching that with your car then bill has no problem launching with his Pathfinder. Bill I know you know what your towing capacity is just make sure you know what kind of weight you are towing. If you can pull the boat easy enough, you can launch no problem.

 

[Kamdyn]

Re: launching questions

yes my pathfinder is a V6 how do i find out how much the boat weighs ?

There's a tag on the boat that gives you info on max weight capacity,Serial number etc. and that sort of info, It should also tell you the dry weight of the boat. Usually its on the transom or side of the boat.

 

[billstoudt]

Re: launching questions

ok i'm just having this nightmare of retrieving the boat from the water and not being able to get it out and being stuck there and SOL i'm totally paranoid.

but to tow it on a flat road seems completely different from towing it up a launch ramp.

 

[QC]

Re: launching questions

I agree with the others. Other than traction, launching and retrieving is relatively easy on the tow vehicle . . . I would guess your package, loaded up, is around 4500 lbs.

 

[Kamdyn]

Re: launching questions

Just trow your truck in 2nd gear that gives you more power and you'll be fine.

 

[crb478]

Re: launching questions

I used to tow and launch/retrieve a 21 foot wellcraft bow rider with a 1988 Toyota 4 runner four cylinder and I only used it in 2 wheel drive. Unless you have some ramps that are rutted or gravel and steep you should be fine. On the paved ramps around here I never had any problems.

 

[QC]

Re: launching questions

2nd may give better traction, but not due to more power, due to less torque at the wheels which will lessen the tendency to break loose . . .

 

[blouderback]

Re: launching questions

There's a tag on the boat that gives you info on max weight capacity,Serial number etc. and that sort of info, It should also tell you the dry weight of the boat. Usually its on the transom or side of the boat.

Yeah, keep in mind that's DRY weight of the boat ONLY. This doesn't include the trailer, fuel, soggy hull, and all the other crap that a boat tends to pickup, like coolers, vests, skis, etc. Your best bet is to take it to a local lumber yard or quarry or whatever that has a scale so you can weigh it.

If you want a guesstimate, the 2000 Bayliner Capri (20') weighed in at 2,345lbs dry (http://www.bayliner.com/showroom_archives.asp?modelid=69). Add another 1000 for the trailer, maybe another 500 pounds for various stuff (gas weighs about 6lb/gallon, so a full tank will add about 250lbs), and you're looking at about 3,800 lbs. The 2006 Pathfinder can tow about 6,000 lbs, according to cars.com.

I think you should be OK, but check your specific vehicle and trailer combination.

 

[Kamdyn]

Re: launching questions

Bill goodluck on your launch and happy boating.

 

[skargo]

Re: launching questions

You guys with 4 cylinder Tacomas/4runners are most likely OVER the towing capacity, please stay off MY roads. Thanks!

 

[jetmart]

Re: launching questions

You should be fine if the boat ramp is decent. I had concerns when I launched for the 1st time so I backed in, stopped, left boat on and then pulled out just to make sure. I figured if I could not pull it out I would launch the boat and then have time to call a buddy to pull it out.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: launching questions

ok i'm just having this nightmare of retrieving the boat from the water and not being able to get it out and being stuck there and SOL i'm totally paranoid.

but to tow it on a flat road seems completely different from towing it up a launch ramp.

You're not going to have any problem, but it would have been better to ask the questions about the weight of the boat/motor/trailer/ice chest/safety gear/anchor/fuel/water/ski's/fishing gear/etc. before you bought the boat. All of that info is easily determined during the calm ... deliberative period before you pulled the trigger. No need to panic though ... just go to plan B.

If you were to have difficulty on the ramp pulling your rig out of the water ... calmly proceed to back your boat back into the water and tie it up at the dock. Pull your empty trailer to the staging area where other boaters are coming and going. Approach the boater with the baddest tow vehicle in the lot and ask him to hook up to your trailer and pull your boat out for you. He'll be flattered that you asked, and proud to show what his rig can do. Besides that, he's a good guy and wants to help. I've been there done that for others that had a problem. No worries.

 

[puddleboater]

Re: launching questions

my neighbor mentioned that i probably would not be able to launch or retrieve it. my pathfinder has a 6000 pound towing capaicty but with the hills involved in launching i'm a bit concerned that its not up to the task.

Is the launch ramp located on a hill???

Kidding aside, your pathfinder will be able to tow and launch your boat. I've seen Pathfinders and Toyota forerunners haul boats of that size (and even a little larger) over the Santa Cruz mountains in Northern California, going to the Pacific ocean.

The bigger question is, how long are you going to be able to do it until your motor and transmission wears out?

You may want to add a transmission cooler (if not already equipped) to your Nissan. More frequent oil changes are also in order, specially if towing over hills.

 

[cribber]

Re: launching questions

Based on QC's esttimate of 4500 lbs you are at 75% of rated towing capacity so you should be fine with your setup. Enjoy!!!

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: launching questions

Up until this past May, I had a 2003 Pathfinder with the 3.5L V6...It had plenty of hp and torque to tow what you are towing. I towed friends' boats and campers with it many times with ease. If I remember right, that engine was rated for 240 hp and 265 ft/lbs of torque. Yours, being a newer generation might be more than that. Happy boating.

 

[642mx]

Re: launching questions

Hi i just bought a 1988 20 ft bayliner capri i was able to tow it home fine with my 06 pathfinder. but my neighbor mentioned that i probably would not be able to launch or retrieve it. my pathfinder has a 6000 pound towing capaicty but with the hills involved in launching i'm a bit concerned that its not up to the task.

anyone have any thoughts.

thanks.

Bill

Your Pathfinder will be just fine. I have a friend with a Bayliner Capri 18 footer, he pulls it with a Kia Sorento (only 3500 lb towing capacity) and it even does fine.