Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

[pgrider]

Hello new here. I am looking for a boat that cna hold my family 6 and still tow a wakeboarder. mostly my boys and occasionally me 230lbs. I am thinking a 18 foot bowrider with a 4.3ltr. Now here is the kicker it has to be less then 3500 on trailer with some fuel. I have a 2012 dodge 1ton diesel that tooys my 5th wheel when we go to the lake. My wifes vehicle is a 2013 hyundai santa fe 2.0 T rated for 3500 if trailer has brakes ( I can install brakes). Don't want new was thinking a bayliner 185 br or a campion 535 Campions appear to lighter than the bayliners and a better boat. Also the wifes vehicle will never be launching the boat always my truck. So I need input on boats and weights.

Thanks

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

18' will be CROWDED with 6 people... look for 23'

BUT that doesn't work with the wife's car... maybe put a hitch on the back of the 5er and triple tow....

I pull my jeep wrangler behind my 36' triple slide 5er.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

There is only one answer, buy an aluminum boat, lighter stronger faster and better looking.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

There is only one answer, buy an aluminum boat, lighter stronger faster and better looking.

with an outboard. More room inside that way.

look at Carolina Skiff for light weight + room for lots of people.

 

[carey965]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

i go out for a day of skiing in my 19ft tahoe with 6 or more people, little crowded but not unbarable, in the summer i had 5 adults and 3 kids in it with no issue

most of them are around 3000, mine is with trailer and accessories so you should be good whether you tow it behind the 5th or with the wifes car, i plan on towing mine behind my 26 ft tag along trailer

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

I was surprised to see that they (Tahoe) are rated for 8, even the 18'.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

The light weight options just aren't going to do it for wakeboarding. Get another tow vehicle and get the boat that suits your needs.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

I'm with the others who feel 18' with an I/O will be kind of cramped for 6 people. My buddy had a 21' I/O and it's great for that sized crowd. My 18-1/2 ft. Checkmate (with an outboard) is ok with 6, when someone's getting ready to ski or board it takes a little maneuvering around but it's not bad. So.... if you're truly size limited to about 18' then yes, an outboard may be the way to go. Of course no 18' outboard is going to make a great wake boat (especially a go-fast one) because it's so light, but my kids still manage to have plenty of fun.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

my 19' SeaRay was crowded with 6 people, and it weighed in at 3000 empty. loaded with fuel, beverages, gear and on the trailer and I was at around 4500#.

your best bet as many have pointed out is get the boat you need, then get the tow vehicle that you need to pull it.

if you need to keep the Sante Fe and its 3500# towing capacity, working backwards

#1000 trailer (most twin axle trailers will actually be #1200)
35 gallons of fuel - #260
life vests, water toys, etc - #200
cooler of beer - #40
wakeboard tower - #300

that leaves you with a boat empty weight of #1700 and no extra gear in the Hyundai

the bayliner 185BR weight #2335 empty so that is out
you could look at the bayliner 170 if you do not fill the fuel tank or bring the cooler however it will not fit 6

Now if you trade up the Sante Fe for something with a #5000 or greater towing capacity, you can get into a 19-21' boat.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

What experience level is your wife at towing? One thing to keep in mind, the santa fe is rated at 5000#, everywhere except the US. Lots of people will say this is because of our lawyers, but truth is, the average american driver with zero driver training probably shouldn't be towing ANYTHING!

The vehicle itself though is fully capable of towing 5000# pounds of boat, which is one of the easiest loads to tow. (much more aerodynamic than a camper!)

 

[ssobol]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

.... #1000 trailer (most twin axle trailers will actually be #1200) ....

An aluminum trailer will cut a couple of hundred pounds off the trailer weight part of the equation. The tandem axle AL trailer (e.g. MagicTilt) for my 22' boat (4000# capacity) has a manufacturers listed weight of 660#.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

I really don't think a 19 will be comfortable with that many people and all there belongings. Just a thought but I bet a 23 footer is closer to what your needs are. They are expensive choices if you get the wrong boat, taxes plates and all the rest. Good luck with your search.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

I agree with looking at an aluminum boat. Some 19's and 21's have 4.3L I/O's.

My 18' Larson with a 3.0L I/O is 3500# empty. No way it will seat 6 comfortably nor pull anything with that load.

Aluminum boats are lighter and somewhat roomier.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

We have a 2013 Santa FE XL with the 290hp V6. And there is no way I would tow anything that large with it.
As mentioned above, an aluminum boat could lighten the load. Or get a bigger 2nd vehicle.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Ok A little more info The wife will not part with the santa fe. My truck will be towing it when I don't have trailer on. The family is 6 but will be mostly 2 adults and 3 kids 10 12 and 17. And as mentioned I will be putting it and out of the water with truck. I found a 2000 campion allante 535 with a volvo penta 4.3 ltr with a volvo leg seats 7 and has a wakeboard tower. Boat weights 2100 off trailer so figure about 2800 on trailer. Boat will not have gear in it maybe life jacets and ropes but wakeboards, tubes and such will be in my 5th wheel to save weight. Any opinions on the boat they want 12000 canadian

 

[rallyart]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Having previously used an 18' boat for my family of 5 with three young children and done lots of watersports with it I can tell you confidently that it would be too small for a family of 6. Remember, also, that each of the kids grows bigger every year and the space in the boat gets smaller. It can be done but you usually leave people behind so that everyone has a better time.
A bigger or wider boat helps with space but almost always adds weight so your tow is tougher to make the weight.
Aside from looking at an aluminum boat you could also look at an inboard. Something 20' can be on a trailer and under your 3500# limit. Good luck.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Figure 3500# on trailer. Weights published are "dry" and optimistic.

If you want to know for sure, drag it to a truck scale or moving company. They will weigh it for about $10.00.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Carolina skiff 19' "elite" is 2100# and has a capacity of 10. Great design for an active family like yours; way better than a sofa boat for old people. You want open space, not barcoloungers and a big honking engine box taking up room.

Carolina Skiff Boat Showroom: Ultra Elite Series

But a 19" DLV with nice seating and tons of room is just 1660#. Rated for 10. Runs on a smaller motor, too, due to weight and hull design.

Carolina Skiff Boat Showroom: DLV Series

And there are other similar brands. Point is, don't anchor yourself down with a heavy cramped bowrider. Pun intended. They are the worst design for general family recreational use.

However, consider the wakeboarding. If you just want something to drag the children around on, fine. But serious wakeboarding requires specialized boat that put up wake (ie intentionally inefficient and heavy). is that what you want, or just general recreational watersports? if the latter, any boat will do.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

The only option for a full windshield boat is a open bow rider so all that seating can be utilized up front. The Carolina Skiff shown looks very nice, not sure how comfy the seating would be for anyone other than the driver. I never owned that style of boat before, always wanted a full windshield for Michigan weather. Good luck finding what works for you and your family.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Carolina skiff 19' "elite" is 2100# and has a capacity of 10. Great design for an active family like yours; way better than a sofa boat for old people. You want open space, not barcoloungers and a big honking engine box taking up room.

Carolina Skiff Boat Showroom: Ultra Elite Series

But a 19" DLV with nice seating and tons of room is just 1660#. Rated for 10. Runs on a smaller motor, too, due to weight and hull design.

Carolina Skiff Boat Showroom: DLV Series

And there are other similar brands. Point is, don't anchor yourself down with a heavy cramped bowrider. Pun intended. They are the worst design for general family recreational use.

However, consider the wakeboarding. If you just want something to drag the children around on, fine. But serious wakeboarding requires specialized boat that put up wake (ie intentionally inefficient and heavy). is that what you want, or just general recreational watersports? if the latter, any boat will do.

I couldn't disagree more. I've been on many different styles of boats and for general family fun, you would have to kill me and my wife to take our sun pad, swim deck, wrap around windshield, roomy comfortable bow seating, large Bimini top, and high gunwales (to keep kids safe and sound) away. Those skiffs are nice for doing a little fishing and stuff but I can't see it for family fun pulling wakeboards, tubes, and hanging out at the sandbar but that's just me.