Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

[Campylobacter]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

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 love the Carolina skiff, I rented one (19' DLV) for a week at the shore to get to and from the barrier islands in NC and they are very well suited for this. But of all the boats I have been on they rank dead last boat as a wakeboarding boat, even lower than a pontoon in terms of usable wake. The wake might be good for slalom, but tracking would be poor with the flat bottom and an aggressive skier.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

I agree with those that think you'll have trouble finding an 18' fiberglass bowrider that, with trailer, is less than 3500#. I also agree that 6 passengers - especially adult or near adults (the 12 and 17 year old are close enough to count, trust me!) - will be crowding an 18' or 19' bowrider, especially if you have skis or a wakeboard, lifejackts, coolers, and all the other miscellaneous stuff that gets brought aboard for a day on the water. Boating will be a lot more fun for your kids if they can bring a friend (even if you take turns letting one of them bring a friend), so you might consider more than just your family on the boat.

We use our boat two ways: Sometimes it's a river boat (Miss. and Illinois rivers) where we are out on the water for the day. On those trips six or more people, plus gear, makes our 19' boat feel a bit cramped. Other times, we're at our lake and the boat is just used for water skiiing, tubing, and wakeboarding, or for just buzzing around the lake. On those shorter trips, carrying six passengers, even all adults, is just fine.

I haven't been on a Carolina Skiff, so I can't comment, but I don't see many (any?) of those where we boat. They don't look terribly comfortable for teens/kids to lounge about on. Our bowrider - even if it is a 'sofa boat'- is just perfect for that.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Greenbush, the op has "2 adults and 3 kids 10 12 and 17". There's comfortable seating for the adults for sure, and children never complain about where they sit (at least not the ones you bring home). The built-in bow seats can have cushions, too. Which is my point that the padded boats are fine for older adults who just sit there; active boaters do better with more space and less padding.

Dan, of course it's a matter of preference, but these boats can have biminis and do have high freeboard, as well as tons of room in the bow for sitting. True, no swim platform--never missed it, and that requires an i/o which has its disadvantages. Sun pads I just don't get but again, depends whether you are carrying around active children or mellow adults who want to "lay out." (My girls lay out in the bow of the CC just fine, too). Windshield, OK, that's a climate-related trade off where you take up room in the boat for shelter, like the difference in a Maine or Florida boat.
But our waterways and sandbars are covered with those boats I suggested, beaching, swimming, pulling everything imaginable, exploring and cruising; they work equally well for all that. Which is why I suggest the option.

Campy, you are absolutely right about wakeboarding. That, if done right, requires certain hulls. So I posed the question whether this family (10, 12 and 17) cares about wakeboarding at a serious level v. general watersports. Here, I see teenagers out wakeboarding behind anything and everything (my 17 and 19 year old nieces use a 19' deep V CC for it) so it's a matter of how "professional" you are and if you want a versatile general purpose boat that does a lot of things OK, or need that special purpose.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Greenbush, the op has "2 adults and 3 kids 10 12 and 17". There's comfortable seating for the adults for sure, and children never complain about where they sit (at least not the ones you bring home). The built-in bow seats can have cushions, too. Which is my point that the padded boats are fine for older adults who just sit there; active boaters do better with more space and less padding.

Dan, of course it's a matter of preference, but these boats can have biminis and do have high freeboard, as well as tons of room in the bow for sitting. True, no swim platform--never missed it, and that requires an i/o which has its disadvantages. Sun pads I just don't get but again, depends whether you are carrying around active children or mellow adults who want to "lay out." (My girls lay out in the bow of the CC just fine, too). Windshield, OK, that's a climate-related trade off where you take up room in the boat for shelter, like the difference in a Maine or Florida boat.
But our waterways and sandbars are covered with those boats I suggested, beaching, swimming, pulling everything imaginable, exploring and cruising; they work equally well for all that. Which is why I suggest the option.

Campy, you are absolutely right about wakeboarding. That, if done right, requires certain hulls. So I posed the question whether this family (10, 12 and 17) cares about wakeboarding at a serious level v. general watersports. Here, I see teenagers out wakeboarding behind anything and everything (my 17 and 19 year old nieces use a 19' deep V CC for it) so it's a matter of how "professional" you are and if you want a versatile general purpose boat that does a lot of things OK, or need that special purpose.

I got to say that Ultra Elite does look pretty nice. We've got a ton of Carolina Skiffs around here but I've never seen one of those. Most of the ones I've seen are the DLV and DLXs. Looks like it could be pretty versatile and has a nice bow section. I can't say it's for me but it's definitely a nice boat.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Greenbush, the op has "2 adults and 3 kids 10 12 and 17". There's comfortable seating for the adults for sure, and children never complain about where they sit (at least not the ones you bring home). The built-in bow seats can have cushions, too. Which is my point that the padded boats are fine for older adults who just sit there; active boaters do better with more space and less padding.

Dan, of course it's a matter of preference, but these boats can have biminis and do have high freeboard, as well as tons of room in the bow for sitting. True, no swim platform--never missed it, and that requires an i/o which has its disadvantages. Sun pads I just don't get but again, depends whether you are carrying around active children or mellow adults who want to "lay out." (My girls lay out in the bow of the CC just fine, too). Windshield, OK, that's a climate-related trade off where you take up room in the boat for shelter, like the difference in a Maine or Florida boat.
But our waterways and sandbars are covered with those boats I suggested, beaching, swimming, pulling everything imaginable, exploring and cruising; they work equally well for all that. Which is why I suggest the option.

Campy, you are absolutely right about wakeboarding. That, if done right, requires certain hulls. So I posed the question whether this family (10, 12 and 17) cares about wakeboarding at a serious level v. general watersports. Here, I see teenagers out wakeboarding behind anything and everything (my 17 and 19 year old nieces use a 19' deep V CC for it) so it's a matter of how "professional" you are and if you want a versatile general purpose boat that does a lot of things OK, or need that special purpose.

Home Cookin, you are bang on. I am not a professional wakeboarder I don't even ski my 12 year old is the only one who has wakeboarded. The other 2 will do I know but may just be as happy tubing or fishing or just going to places you cant get to with out a boat. The boat I am looking at is all set up for wakeboarding with the 4.3 volvo penta has a wakeborad tower and is only 2300 pounds plus trailer. The wifes santa fe will only be towing it 100 kms max one way. Her experience with towing is not great she has pulled a 12 foot aluminum with a 15 hp. I think this is doable her vehicle is rated for it I will put electric brakes on the trailer and should be good slow and easy right. You only live once.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

You're probably going to be a few hundred pounds over the limit for the Santa Fe time you add fuel and gear. I would be concerned about stopping it. If the trailer has breaks it will probably be OK as long as caution is used. Also if the Santa Fe is front wheel drive only slippery situations could be a issue.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

You're probably going to be a few hundred pounds over the limit for the Santa Fe time you add fuel and gear. I would be concerned about stopping it. If the trailer has breaks it will probably be OK as long as caution is used. Also if the Santa Fe is front wheel drive only slippery situations could be a issue.

Sante fe is a 2litre turbo 264 hp. all wheel drive. And as I said the santa fe will not be launching the boat at all. Here is the boat I am looking at.

2000 18ft campion 535 - Prince George Boats, Watercraft For Sale - Kijiji Prince George Canada.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Here is the boat I am looking at.

2000 18ft campion 535 - Prince George Boats, Watercraft For Sale - Kijiji Prince George Canada.

That looks like a very nice boat., I'm curious as to how you got the weight? A new one (without the tower) comes at 2400 dry, and it looks to be sitting on steel trailer. I think your over the limit before you even put gas in it.

I was in your position about 7 years ago. I wanted a boat big enough for the family but was limited to a 4500 towing capacity (Honda Pilot). We got a boat that clocked in at about 2800 pounds dry and without the trailer. I figure with a full tank of gas and supplies we were right at the limit. It was a white knuckle ride if we went any distance and it a big strain on the Pilot. I finally gave up and bought a used F150 when the transmission light on the Pilot came on, and it was the best decision I ever made. Towing is now a breeze, and the piece of mind is worth it. In your case I think an 18'er is a really too small for your family anyway, you should bring them out to see the campion and have them sit in it, then think about spending 5 hours in it.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Really nice boat you have shared here with us, I still feel this will be way way crowded for everyone to enjoy the boating experience. I rarely have more than 3 people in my 19 foot tin Spectrum, it has a walk through windshield, and lots of seating up front. Just no fun being confined to such a small area. It can be done no question, I guess it's a give and take situation so my comments are kind of "in the perfect world". That boat shown will work, I just think a 23 would be better suited. Have fun selecting.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

The AWD will make that tow vehicle nice. When towing, don't run in top gear. The overdrive will just add to the load on the turbo and everything will work well with the slightly lower gear on the highway. Enjoy.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Sante fe is a 2litre turbo 264 hp. all wheel drive. And as I said the santa fe will not be launching the boat at all. Here is the boat I am looking at.

2000 18ft campion 535 - Prince George Boats, Watercraft For Sale - Kijiji Prince George Canada.

The turbo and HP are all very nice but pulling it is one thing. STOPPING it and controlling it is whole different story.

Don't overtax the tow vehicle. You're headed for issues (conservative) if you max out your tow vehicle.

 

[gtochris]

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.

Sure it will. Depends how serious you are about the sport. Our 19ft does great for wakeboarding and I've done it a few times with a boat full.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

That looks like a very nice boat., ...In your case I think an 18'er is a really too small for your family anyway, you should bring them out to see the campion and have them sit in it, then think about spending 5 hours in it.

Good advice. I always suggest to people when they start used boat shopping, to start with the new ones on line and then at the dealers/marinas to find their best hull size and interior design, then go find a used one like it (although be fair to the salesman and don't waste his time). This also includes walking around the marinas and ramps and talking to the boaters there; they may even take you for a spin. There's no substitute for actually getting in the boat with the horde (anyone who tests cuddy cabins this way usually comes out with a different view, too). Be sure to bring a cooler, picnic basket and bags of towels. Do a Chinese fire drill: once everyone is seated, change positions--like you would when it's the next guy's turn on the tube. And bring the tube, too.

You want to find the boat that fits you, not find a boat and try to make it fit.

I assume you have considered the trade-offs with the big wake tower: no garage and hard to cover; no trailering covered. And from what I understand, that type of boat is not too good for outdoors and needs to be covered when not in use.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

The turbo and HP are all very nice but pulling it is one thing. STOPPING it and controlling it is whole different story.

Don't overtax the tow vehicle. You're headed for issues (conservative) if you max out your tow vehicle.

Yup. The tongue weight is going to upset that little car. Kind of like the tail wagging the dog.

 

[phillyg]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

You can probably stay under 3500lbs with most boats up to 21'.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

That's why they have weight distribution hitches. and I can play with boat position to optimize tongue weight. And I have not clarified but a lot of the towers will fold down. and for the 80 - 100 kms my wife will tow it, it should be fine

 

[pgrider]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

Here is a little write up I found on the Santa fe towing. With pic of boat I know that what I am looking at is heavier. but should do ok ...

Ignition: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport | Carpages.ca Blog

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

We never stated you couldn't tow it. You can tow 5000# with a garden tractor. Stopping is another thing. Not to mention if there is an incident and you are towing more than rated towing capacity you may find yourself without insurance and at fault.

You will not find anyone on this site saying "go ahead, ignore the towing rating"

You have a 3500# towing rating. That is what you are legally allowed to tow.

Now back to the boat. Plenty of good advice given on finding the boat that fits your needs. Go and sit the whole family in a few boats. Take the boat for a sea trial before you buy.

If you are serious about wakeboarding, you will not find a proper wakeboard board that can be towed behind your Santa Fe and that gives you the room for 6 that you want.

This is a decision where you will have to make concessions.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

well said, Scott

 

[ricohman]

Re: Size of boat for use and tow vehicle

That's why they have weight distribution hitches. and I can play with boat position to optimize tongue weight. And I have not clarified but a lot of the towers will fold down. and for the 80 - 100 kms my wife will tow it, it should be fine

Do they even sell a class III/5000 lb hitch for a Santa Fe? Not saying it can't be done. We have the same car in the XL with the bigger V6 and I think its a good way to kill that tiny transmission.