27ft Boat towing

[ahasiec]

Has anyone ever towed a 27ft boat, looking at a potential deal I can get a 27ft Sportcraft for a great price, would be towing with a Ford Deisel...only would be towing for weekend Salmon trips, otherwise would be docked...any thoughts?

[Hoosier_Steelheader]

I tow a 27ft Seastar w/ Flybridge with a Ford Bronco 5.8L You didn't say if your truck was 4wd, but I think it's a must when launching and retrieving.
You just cant get in any hurries.
:fish:
Hope that helps.

[plugger]

One thing to consider is if the boat is over legal width. I use to capt for a guy who had a 27 sportcraft and although we did trailer it twice a year it was over width.

[ahasiec]

How wide is your boat, beam?

Just wondering I was looking at a Sportcraft 9'6 Beam. Truck has 4X4.

[SalmonBum]

I trailer a 28' Seasport that has a 10' Beam, and on the trailer is just over 13' tall (it's a 14' door in the pic). I only pull it a few times a yr when I switch slips. You are suppose to pull permits anything over 8'-6", but I never have. I pull mine with the Duramax and get about 11-13 mpg on the X-way. The boat is around 12-13K on the trailer with fuel. I know the 27 sportcraft isn't as big as my boat, so you should have no trouble, except for the Torque coverter in that FUrd.... Just Kidding.

Just a warning: I have seem LOTS of Sportcrafts out there for "great deals" and there is a reason. Make sure you get a GOOD surveyor to do a Good job. If the boat is from a dealer in Ohio, contact me. I know of a big SC deal down there that has pulled some shady deals on people.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/550/Boat2_sm.JPG

[gregm]

I've pulled a 26' pursuit with my Duramax Diesel from Grand Haven to Traverse City with no problems. I can't tell you the Gas Mileage, because at the time fuel prices were lower and I really didn't care, but the truck handled it fine.

[Jason Adam]

I have towed my boat(26' Striper) almost 10K miles in the 3 years I've had it. I used to tow with a 2500HD(thats my old 2500 towing bills boat in the pic above). I now tow with a 1500 Z71 Crew Cab. Both towed it fine. The 2500 w/6L 4.10rear could tow at 85, the 1500 Z-71 needs to stay at 75 or less. My boat is between 8-9K lbs loaded on the trailer.

As long as you check everything prior to(as you should with every trailer), towing overall only gets easier the bigger you get. Backing up is easier, etc.. Park way out in parking lots and turn wide. I generally tow and launch, and freqenty retrieve myself, and never have a problem.