So I want to buy my first boat but....

[Utahboatnut]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

I would get the boat and trailer weighed before I did anything, that big of a boat with twin engines and outdrives. Even though they are 4 cyls. you are still talking some weight add in a tank of gas and the trailer + gear you would be pushing your 4runner. I live in Utah and boat at Powell often, even coming in to bullfrog from my side of the lake is a brutal pull through the hot desert. If you really love the boat maybe you could find someone who is looking to get rid of their V8 truck and its crappy mileage and you could trade straight across for the Runner. Lots of people are getting out of their trucks right now, might be more of a trade market out there than you think. If the runner is in good shape and runs well. That seems to be your best option right now cause I am afraid you are in for some engine/trans/drivetrain problems if you stay with what you have now. Then all that money you would put into the runner to get back on the road could have gone toward a tow vech. Good luck with it all.

 

[Insteada]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Anyone else here think that his stated weight for that boat seems quite low? It's a twin engine 24' cuddy at 3600+? My 24' single engine bowrider clips in at 3973 dry weight. I realize all things aren't equal, but it seems low to me. I think you definitely need to get it on a scale to be sure and be safe.

 

[lncoop]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

So the consensus is you don't have enough truck to pull that rig. Have you considered renting a slip for a year? That way you could use the boat without towing it until you're able take down a better TV. Just a thought.

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Anyone else here think that his stated weight for that boat seems quite low? It's a twin engine 24' cuddy at 3600+? My 24' single engine bowrider clips in at 3973 dry weight. I realize all things aren't equal, but it seems low to me. I think you definitely need to get it on a scale to be sure and be safe.

Yeah I got that weight from NADA, I don't know how accurate they are. Honestly I was suprised how light it said that boat was...

I've made my descision, I'm going to let that boat go.... With the way the market is here in AZ there are at least 10-15 boats a day being posted on craigslist between Tucson and Phoenix. At this point I am going to be patient and find the boat I know I can tow safely with what I have. I know a little V6 4Runner really isn't the ideal tow vehicle for anything really, no matter what weight it is, but like I've said at this point I like my 4Runner as my daily driver and don't want to sell/trade it at this point.

I have two young kids and I like the cuddy style boats because they have a place for the kids to get out of the hot AZ sun. Anybody have any ideas of smaller boats with a cuddy cabin that my little Runner can tow? I really like the style of the 18' Seaswirl Sierra Cuddy. That boat looks about like what I want and NADA says it weighs in at 2200lbs dry. Any input on a boat in this weight range?

Again I appreciate all your guys input and replies, I am learning from all of your input!!

 

[phxvalkry]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

The trailer goes through DMV, permanent plates. The boat gets registered through Fish and Game. There is no Title for boat, just registration paper. You'll find something that will meet your weight needs and "fun" needs, keep your eye out.

phxvalkry

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Before I purchased my 18' Searay 180 Bowrider w/ Merc 5.0, I was looking at an 18' Seaswirl Bowrider w/ Volvo Penta 3.0. And I have to tell you, that 18' Searay is much heavier than that Seaswirl. I think you will be OK with the 2wd v6 and the 18' Seaswirl. You could always drop the tranny into (2) for that extra torque for pulling up the ramp.

Does your Toy have over drive?

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

The trailer goes through DMV, permanent plates. The boat gets registered through Fish and Game. There is no Title for boat, just registration paper. You'll find something that will meet your weight needs and "fun" needs, keep your eye out.

phxvalkry

Oh I see. Interesting that something like a boat that can be very expensive and stolen very easily doesn't need a title... In reality though I guess just less paperwork for us!! Yeah I'm sure I will find the right boat that suits my needs, thanks for the input!

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Before I purchased my 18' Searay 180 Bowrider w/ Merc 5.0, I was looking at an 18' Seaswirl Bowrider w/ Volvo Penta 3.0. And I have to tell you, that 18' Searay is much heavier than that Seaswirl. I think you will be OK with the 2wd v6 and the 18' Seaswirl. You could always drop the tranny into (2) for that extra torque for pulling up the ramp.

Does your Toy have over drive?

Yes it does have overdrive, it also has a ECT switch which changes the speed at which the transmission shifts (shifts later or at higher speed when ECT switch is on). The ECT switch is made for towing situations or for driving up steep grades.

Yeah I have a feeling with this vehicle the toughest time I'm going to have while towing is retrieving my boat. Pulling it out of the water and up a steep incline, oh well that's all part of the fun right?

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

I pull with a 1/2 ton dodge 2wd and have never had a problem pulling up the ramp. I take that back one time at Flaming Gorge there was about 8+ inches of gravel that had washed up onto the ramp due to a storm. First time I just spun in the gravel, got 3-4 big guys in the back of the truck and pulled out okay. Second time i scraped two wheel tracks through the gravel and pulled right out.

 

[180shabah]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

...You could always drop the tranny into (2) for that extra torque for pulling up the ramp...

...uuhhhh - second gear would provide less torque to the wheels than first, and produce a whole lot more heat in the transmission....

 

[larry1167]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Jolio- not sure if you have made a decision yet, but I thought I would give you a little feedback on the 2008 4Runner V6(4x4) I just bought. My boat and trailer weight 3,400lbs loaded. The boat is 21' and I have a dual axel trailer. I have towed the boat to our local lake a few times now. I live in the foothills and have to go up some pretty steep inclines to get to the lake.

Here's what I have noticed and some suggestions.

I wouldn't suggest towing anymore than 3,500lbs if you plan to tow in the hills or mountains with your V6 4Runner. I believe your '97 has a few less ponnies and torque than the 4.0 in mine. Keep that in mind. If you are in the flat lands, you could probably push the weight a little higher.

Don't get a boat over 21' due to the shorter than average wheel base of the 4Runner. I can tell that 21' is about the limit going down hill.

I am impressed with the 4Runner and can tell the tranny is far better than the one in my old Exploder. The 4.0 V6 seems like a pretty willing engine with enough torque.

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Okay so I am going to look at a 21' cabin cruiser tomorrow!!! The guy selling it says that with the dual axle trailer and boat it weighs 3200lbs. He says that the brakes on the trailer don't work and that is something I would need to fix.... Question is, do you guys think I could tow it 230 miles home without it having the brakes working?? Obviously I know this isn't the safest thing to do and I know I would need to be driving slower that normal and give my self a LOT of stopping distance.

It is a good deal and I don't want to pass it up due to the brakes but I know there is a difference between roughing it home and being stupid and endangering others on the road....

Any input would be great guys and gals!!!

 

[180shabah]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Okay so I am going to look at a 21' cabin cruiser tomorrow!!! The guy selling it says that with the dual axle trailer and boat it weighs 3200lbs.

So what exactly is this feather-weight boat? Have you done anything to verify the weight? Just sounds like a lot of boat to weigh only 23-2400lbs. 'ell my 18' bowrider weighs more than that (approx 2500lbs) BEFORE gear, gas and people.

 

[larry1167]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

I agree with Shabah. Seems a little light for a 21' cabin cruiser. My 21' low profile ski boat weighs 2,500lbs dry.

Keep in mind...when I was looking into the 4Runner, someone on this forum told me they don't like to tow boats with a lot of weight up front. This could be an issue with your 4Runner and a cabin cruiser, pending the distance from your rear axel to the first axel on the trailer.

 

[Fishing56]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

I once pulled my first new boat, a 15' glasstron trihull with 90 hp outboard, with a 1976 chevy vega. It had a 4 cyl aluminum block engine. Lasted for about 9 months. Surpisingly, it was the tranny that gave out not the aluminum engine.

Fishing56

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Yeah I thought his weight estimate was low too. I also just found out from some of the guys here that it has a OMC stringer outrdrive... :-( Oh well on the hunt again for my first boat!

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Hey guys, it's been a while!!

I have been back on the hunt as of late. Last season just didn't pan out for me and buying a boat. I am back on the hunt and think I found her!!!

The boat is a 1974 Reinell 210 cuddy with a tandem axle trailer with surge brakes. Anyone have a clue how much this boat weighs? The current owner says the setup weighs about 3500lbs wet. Anyone have any idea if this is accurate?

And yes I still have the dang 4Runner....

Thanks again,

Joel

 

[bekosh]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

That sounds light to me. My Wellcraft is the same size and it's around 4800lbs with the trailer. According to Wellcraft my boat is 3200lbs dry. Plus 1000lbs for the trailer I'm over 4000lbs before I add the big block engine or gas or any gear.

I could see around 4500lbs with small block and a trailer for that Reinell, but not much less than that. I would almost bet the house that it's over 4000.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

[
I could see around 4500lbs with small block and a trailer for that Reinell, but not much less than that. I would almost bet the house that it's over 4000.[/QUOTE]

So would I. Those older Reinells are REALLY heavy boats. 4500 at least, maybe closer to 5000 on a trailer.

 

[jolio55]

Re: So I want to buy my first boat but....

Anyone know a reliable source to find the weight of boats, NADA doesn't seem to be very reliable...