Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

[Cooninco]

Hi All,<br /><br />I'm located in the Denver area and have just started to look for my first boat. I am planning on towing it behind something fairly small so I looking for something lightweight. At most 2000 lbs totally loaded. I want to be able to tow a skier but probably never two. I'd like to be able to carry at least 5 in the boat. I may fish occasionally, but this wouldn't be the primary use. I'd appreciate help in deciding what direction to start looking. Since this is my first boat, I've heard reccomendations not to spend over $7,500. I'd like to stay under $10,000. Help me. I don't know what I'm doing. Thanks.

 

[Cooninco]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Sorry for not fully explaining. That would be 2,000 lbs fully loaded with the trailer. The lighter the better though.

 

[page62]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

What's your tow vehicle? Being more specific will help out. (But we may end up recommending a jet ski!)<br /><br />Look around at some of the jet boats, like a Sea Rayder or similar. Or you could consider a "fish 'n ski," but they don't usually carry more than 3. Finally, there are some 16' runabouts with outboards you may be able to tow. <br /><br />I'm speculating, but I think a 17 footer and above with I/O engine would be too heavy.

 

[anne]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Bayliner's 16 foot runabout with outboard engine might work for you... I'm not sure what the capacity is; might be 5 (or 4?), probably would not be more than 5. I think it comes in just under 2000 pounds w/ trailer.<br /><br />Good luck, happy boating!

 

[Cooninco]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Hi all,<br /><br />Thanks for the responses.

<br /><br />I'd actually be pulling it behind a Honda CR-V. It's towing capacity is rated at 1,000 lbs but could probably tow up to 2,000 lbs. <br /><br />I've seen an article where a CR-V was pulling a 98 Bayliner 1750LS, weighing in at 2125 pounds with no fuel. I don't think that included the trailer so my estimate of what he was pulling had to be about 2,500 lbs

or more. <br /><br />I know I should be pulling a boat with something bigger, but I didn't want to invest in both a boat and a tow vehicle until I was sure that I'd get the use out of the boat. <br /><br />I've considered a 1998 Sugarsand Tango jet, 17', 175Hp. There's one in my local classifieds for $9,200. It's only about 1,850 lbs iincluding trailer. I've also thought of buying a new Galaxie Flash. It only weighs 950 without engine, probably about 1,750 total. <br /><br />I need to know what other boats might fit my needs. I've seen other boats in my paper that might work but I don't know anything about them. <br />- 15' 1996 Regal Rush XP, 120HP Merc, Sport Jet Boat<br />- 1992 Dynasty 16' 130 HP I/O, <br />- 11989 Searay, 160 bowrider, 100hp, merc<br />- 1976 Starbuck, 115 Merc modif. 15'<br />- Various older 14' Glastrons<br /><br />I've tried to look up most of the baots in the Internet to see weights, but some of the older models you can't even find the manufacturer, let alone the actual boat. If I have to, I'll sacrifice on the person capacity. but the boat would have to carry at least 4.<br /><br />I'm sorry I keep going on. I just need some help.

<br /><br />Thanks

 

[nebraskaboater]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

I had a similar desire to buy a ski boat with a reasonable towing weight for my Toyota Van (rated at 3500lbs). While looking around I found a website listing boat blue book values and a few specs. including weight. I didn't bookmark the sight, but if you search using the words "appraisal" and "boat" you should find it. Or, look for "NADA" (the association keeping data on the value of traded items like cars and boats). Incidentally, I bought a Bayliner Capri 17.5 with an outboard and my vehicle seems to tow it without a problem.

 

[jd43SS]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

I do not have any boat recommendations but I think you will have some trouble pulling the boat out of the water. Most SUVs are not rated for towing anyhting more than a tiny u-haul trailer if even that. The load the manufacturer states is load for the vehicle not towing anything just the load of the vehicle. If you do get a boat a pull it with a CRV be very careful. I have seen and pulled too many trucks and cars out of the water cause they can not pull the boat from the water. And all that happens is the car goes in unless the driver can think quickly.

<br /><br />------------------<br />Jeremy <br />1975 Starcraft Capri Cruiser<br />1995 DCM Impala SS

 

[Cooninco]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Thanks NebraskaBoater. <br /><br />I'll try to find that website. What is the total weight of the Bayliner and trailer that you ended up purchasing. Were you able to stay under your Toyota's recommended towing weight?<br /><br />Thanks JD43SS for your concern.

<br /><br />I've read the specs on the CR-V and they state "the total weight limit of the trailer and everything loaded in it", not the limit of the total weight loaded in the CR-V. They state the vehicle load limit in another section. So, I'm pretty sure that Honda thinks the CR-V can tow a trailer. <br /><br />I just don't want to over do it. I'm know that it's the combination of the weight and pulling it uphill that's the concern. <br /><br />I've talked to a few car dealers (who weren't trying to sell me a car at the time) and they stated that often time the Manufacturers (in general) understate the towing capacity on their vehicles to limit their liability.<br /><br />Thanks Again.

 

[page62]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Remember, the CR-V is based on a Civic platform(!) Automotive writers have called it a nice car-based SUV, although somewhat underpowered.<br /><br />Just some food for thought...

 

[kev_79]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Somebody mentioned that a most SUV's weren't rated to pull more than a tiny u-haul? I have an s10 blazer, one of the smaller suv's, and my towing capacity is 5200 lbs I don't see how anything could be rated for just 1000 lbs. Ur probably not going to find something to pull a skier and hold 4 people under 2500 or 3000 lbs, but while you are looking, you can rule out all of the I/O's. Happy hunting.

 

[tcube]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Cooninco,<br /><br />You really got me thinking - I live in Maryland where we have a few hills that are nothing like the mountains Denver area. <br /><br />I have a 17' Lowe V hull bass boat that weighs in at about 1,000 lbs less the motor. Add another 240 lbs or so for the outboard and the assorted fishing gear and stuff I carry on board then throw in 27 gallons of gas and a case of beer and it adds up. Include the trailer and it's probably around 1,800 - 2,000 lbs.<br /><br />What's my point? <br /><br />I tow the rig with a 5.0 liter V8 Explorer and on the trip to western MD where I enounter heady elevations of up to 1,300 ft, I know the Explorer is working - on the long grades it wants to find lower and lower gears and it's rated to tow up to 5,000 lbs. I'd hate to think of what a Civic based (non truck) SUV would do in those conditions much less what it would do in Colorado.<br /><br />Think twice - you could easily do very serious harm to the Honda. Why not look at a used p/u with V6 or V8 power that won't have to work quite so hard?<br /><br />Good luck. <br /><br />Semper Gumby,<br />tcube

 

[Cooninco]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Thank you everyone for your concern. <br /><br />Being in Colorado doesn't mean you are always climbing 11,000 foot passes. We live on the plains in Denver, where it is relatively flat. Unless we decide to go to Lake Mead or Powell, I don't think we will be pulling it over any passes. <br /><br />Just so you all know, we found a little jet boat.

It's a 1996 Regal Rush. It weighs 1,050 lbs. including the 120hp Merc Jet. I figure with a 300 lb. trailer I'm only pulling about 1,350. We pick it up on Friday and I'll write again to let you know how it went.

<br /><br />We had to compromise and get a boat that may not be able to tow a skier,

but it will hold four people and will definitely pull someone on a wake board. :cool <br /><br />Thanks again,<br /><br />Cooninco

 

[Cooninco]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Hi All,<br /><br />This is for those who have followed my search for the right boat to pull behind my CR-V. Today, we took out the 1996 Regal Rush XP that we bought. The CR-V did fine. Between towing it home last night, about an hour drive and taking it out today, about a 2 hours round trip, the CR-V did fine. I could tell there was a boat there but other than working a little harder on a few hills, it wasn't much of a strain on the CR-V. As for the Boat Ramp, the CR-V had absolutely no problems.<br /><br />If anyone is looking for this type of boat, I would suggest this Regal. It's light and small (I can store it in my garage) and it seems to be powered fairly well. I didn't try to pull a skier today, but sure had fun in the boat and pulling a tube. Next, is to try to pull a Wake Board. <br /><br />Oh, I do have one for the stupid human tricks. We were towing the tube and got the tow rope under the boat. I thought no big deal, until I found that it had been sucked into the jet intact. I spent about 45 minutes cutting up a brand new rope to get it out. In the end no damage done but that will teach me.<br /><br />Thanks again everyone,<br /><br />Mike Coon (Cooninco)

 

[page62]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Good choice! You picked the right mix of size, power, and weight. You can tow a skier and still not prematurely wear out your CR-V.

 

[goof]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Do you think a 95 S10 blazer would be able to pull 19-21' cuddy cab, (pretty flat land), and how about the pulling it out of the water? Thanks.<br />Later,<br />goof

 

[SMiller]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Just try a Sea Ray Sea-Raider F16XR.<br />I love it, it will run 55 MPH (with just 200lbs of driver). Seats 5. Ski is its middle name. And I fish in 2.5-3 feet of water. Just drive one.

 

[hodgejr]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Wow, this topic hits the nail on the head for me! <br /><br />Notice I just posted a new topic in the foram about my ill-fated choice for a towing truck. I have a 16'bayliner and I just bought a Mazda Tribute, with a 130hp 4-cyl manual shift. (I got a spectacular deal)<br />But now I'm really worried that I'll end up burning the clutch, as I have noticed a horrible smell when I pulled my boat up the ramp. An authorized dealer mechanic confirmed my suspicion, and now I'm desparately in need of some modification to remedy my problem, or I'll be burning clutches left and right!!!!<br /><br />help!

 

[John avery]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Wonder how big a pontoon boat I can pull with my 1997 nissan pathfinder 4X4 V6 anyone have any sugggestions.<br /><br />John

 

[Ohioangler]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

I agree with anne<br /><br />Tamms

 

[DaveM]

Re: Looking for a Lightweight Ski Boat

Hodgejr,<br /><br />Use 4-Low for pulling your boat out or you will toast your clutch in no time. Also, do us all a favor and put surge brakes on your trailer because I highly doubt that little SUV will be able stop very quickly.