Towing Precision 21
Thomas Ries
I'm considering buying a Precision 21 sailboat which weighs around 1900
pounds empty. Add the outboard, trailer, gear and supplies and it's probably
around 2300. My car (98 Subaru Forester) and hitch (class 2) are rated for
towing 2000 pounds. I wouldn't consider a boat any smaller than this one,
but can't afford both a new car and a boat at the same time. I would
probably be making short trips at first but really want the option to take
longer trips. Do you think I'll be OK towing 300 pounds over the rating?
Thanks,
Tom
David Smalley
No.
--
DAVe
Dana Seero
> Thanks,
> Tom
Do you have an automatic or manual? If you have an automatic, adding an oil
transmission cooler may get you close enough for local use, especially if the
trailer has brakes, and if it's not espeically hilly or hot. But I think the
Forester weighs around 3100 lbs, still more than the trailer, and some have 4
wheel disk brakes. As far as long trips, you might be able to do it but at the
expense of tow vehicle longevity. If it's a manual, the clutch will take a
beating.
Tony Thomas
Don't know of any trailer for a 21' sailboat thats less than 700 lbs
minimum. Probably closer to 1000.
I would guess the weight at:
1900 - boat
800 - trailer
100 - outboard
200 - gear/supplies
30 - fuel
Maybe 3000lbs total would be closer to right.
Definetly more than your car can pull or stop. If you had a wreck (which
you likely would when trying to stop that thing) your insurance probably
would not cover due to being over the towing limit.
Tony
Thomas Ries <tom...@home.com> wrote in message
news:W5kp4.7953$_p1.6...@news1.rdc1.md.home.com...
fishwisher
--
Dale Gillespie
Boating and fishing the Californiadelta(.org)
Dana Seero
> First of all, you will be towing a lot more than 2300 lbs.
> Don't know of any trailer for a 21' sailboat thats less than 700 lbs
> minimum. Probably closer to 1000.
> I would guess the weight at:
> 1900 - boat
> 800 - trailer
> 100 - outboard
> 200 - gear/supplies
> 30 - fuel
> Maybe 3000lbs total would be closer to right.
That's true, come to think of it. The trailer for my Sonar (23', 2,100 lbs) was
around 700 lbs. So that's a lot more like 3,000 lbs all-up as you suggest, not
to mention passengers.
A Rhodes 19 keel weighs around 1300, though, and there's a centerboard version.
But not fast.
Ken
they are towing a boat -- vs. a camper.
In addition, if you can live with towing in a lower gear, you will
still get there. E.g., if you can't tow 2500 lbs up a steep hill in
top gear at 65, you can probably do it in a lower gear at 45.
As far a stopping is concerned, you can look into upgrading from surge
brakes and get some help there. Better trailer brakes are a lot
cheaper than a new car.
Also consider a weight-distributing hitch. Often trailer weights are
limited because of the effect of tongue weight on handling.
Pay strict attention to tongue weight. If you leave your outboard
motor in place, Precisions on Venure trailers can go negative at the
tongue. You may have to slide the cradle part of your trailer forward
on the chassis part to get the 5-10% weight there you need.
Whenever I towed heavy, I did not go over 55. Most trailer
instabilities seem to set in over 60 mph. Again, getting there a few
minutes later is still cheaper than buying a new truck for $35,000.
I agree that if you have an automatic, you should install an oversize
transmission oil cooler, JCWhitney has these cheap. I even install
them on cars that won't be towing to prolong transmission life.
If you get sag or too much up-down in the rear, you can add helper
springs.
Lastly, you should check out the Precision owners' page and join the
listserv. See: http://www.techniserve.com/precision/
Ken
(to reply via email
remove "zz" from address)
Lloyd Sumpter
>
> I have found that vehicles can pull more than they are rated for if
> they are towing a boat -- vs. a camper.
>
I haven't towed much in the last 20 years, but I've been looking into
it (similar problem - how much will my S10 tow).
In addition to the tranny cooler and weight-distributing hitch, look
at beefing up the suspension - heavier shocks, sway bars, etc. And look
at upgrading your brakes (better quality pads, heavy-duty cylinders,
etc.) and be sure to keep them in top shape.
If you want a trailerable sailboat in the 20ft range, there are some
that may be lighter than what you're looking at (compromise - they're
not as comfortable in a sea and usually don't have much weight in the
keel, making them very tender)
The Catalina/Capri 22 is nice. You might even consider the McGreggor,
if you can get the model that doesn't pretend to be a powerboat (they
use water ballast - makes for a very light boat on the trailer, but very
tender!) See if you can get a sea-trial with one of the water-ballast
boats to see if you can live with the way they sail.
--
It's better to be at the dock, wishing you were at sea,
than at sea, wishing you were at the dock.
Lloyd Sumpter
>
> If you want a trailerable sailboat in the 20ft range, there are some
> that may be lighter than what you're looking at (compromise - they're
> not as comfortable in a sea and usually don't have much weight in the
> keel, making them very tender)
Just had a look at the website (www.catalinayachts.com) and the Capri
22 isn't trailerable. But you might want to check out the Capri 18.
1500lb, wing keel, sleeps 4?.
BTW, I noted that although the hull of the Capri 18 is narrower than
a comparable powerboat (esp. at the stern), she has WAY more room than
any of the 20ft (power) cuddies I looked at! And more seaworthy, more
places to stay dry when it's raining...
Jerry Hahn
Ken < wrote
> I have found that vehicles can pull more than they are rated for if
> they are towing a boat -- vs. a camper.
>
This is more than likely because of less wind resistance as far as pulling
is conserned. Braking is probably the same. I would only "guess" that the
ratings have a built in safety margin since manufactures know that alot of
people will indeed overload. They main concern is if in an accident,
regardless of whos fault, you could be facing serious charges if you are
over your rating, even by a lb. by some greedy lawyer.
Jerry
Vaughn
Maryland. I can load it on a trailer as fast as any swing keel Catalina 22.
I agree the Capri 18 is better for this size car.
Lloyd Sumpter <lsum...@home.com> wrote in message
news:38A6F41E...@home.com...
Lloyd Sumpter
put it on a trailer. I assumed the rather deep keel would make
trailering very difficult. Of course, lots of people trailer a Cal 20,
and that has about a 4' keel, if I remember correctly.
I'm suprised to hear you can trailer it as easy as a swing-keel - I
assume you have deep ramps where you are...
BTW, my venerable Venture (MacGreggor) 22 was almost identical to the
Catalina 22 - It was a nice boat for it's size and poor construction.
How do you like your Capri 22?
Cap't Bill
handling wouldn't be the same. Of course the handling was different, duh,
but it towed the boat just fine. The hitch was rated for 5000#, and I added
the trans cooler. I'd go for it if I was you, but I'd up the hitch
capacity. And get the trailer brakes, surge brakes are fine.
Marcus G Bell
> > around 2300. My car (98 Subaru Forester) and hitch (class 2)
> > are rated for towing 2000 pounds. I wouldn't consider a boat
Cap't Bill (wu...@bentonrea.com) wrote:
> I towed a 3500# boat with a Camero, the owners manual said 1000#
> and handling wouldn't be the same. Of course the handling was
> different, duh, but it towed the boat just fine. The hitch was
Hmmm. The Camaro had, what, a V8 in it? At least a V6. And here's
an important point: it had the drivetrain and suspension to absorb
all that power from the "American iron".
The Subaru Forester is an SUV version of their smallest car, the
Impreza. It has (guessing) a 2 liter, opposed 4 cylinder engine.
And the drivetrain and suspension to match.
-- -- Marcus. ( be...@mail.med.upenn.edu )
Jerry Hahn
--
You can lead me to the water, but not away from it.
Marcus G Bell <> wrote >
> Cap't Bill (wu...@bentonrea.com) wrote:
> > I towed a 3500# boat with a Camero, the owners manual said 1000#
> > and handling wouldn't be the same. Of course the handling was
> > different, duh, but it towed the boat just fine. The hitch was
>
> Hmmm. The Camaro had, what, a V8 in it? At least a V6. And here's
> an important point: it had the drivetrain and suspension to absorb
> all that power from the "American iron".
>
-- Marcus. ( be...@mail.med.upenn.edu )
All Cameros have a uni-body frame= no frame to mount hitch to other than
bumper (which is itself bolted to sheet metal).