Number of questions from a guy who just got his first boat.

[wx_nut]

Good morning!

I have a number of questions from a guy who just got his first boat. I'm just hoping this is a dream come true, and not a nightmare in the making.

Before I got the boat, I was consulting with my dealer on my car. I checked with him about pulling a boat, around 16 feet, with a total weight of 1000 pounds or under. I did this because I wanted to make sure that I did not do anything to my car that would either void my warranty, or wreck my tranny. After some calls around his office, he called me back and said that as long as I wasn't planning on going into the mountains or anything that I should be OK as long as I drove my car nice. (I own an 00-03 Chevy Malibu, V6 3.1) He also checked, and said that he believed my car was installed with a tranny cooler, so that should take care of that main issue. He figured (as well as myself) that as long as I didn't drive my car into overdrive, I should be ok.

So, I go and buy a 16 ft Crestliner, with a bad motor. I didn't know the motor was bad until I brought it in to get checked over. I only lost $46 on the motor (the seller tossed in the motor for $100), as I was able to get a scrapyard to take it, and in return I shelled out $1800 for a '96 40 HP Evenrude with power tilt/trim. While the mechanic is working on my boat, he notices something that I didn't notice with the hitch - it's bent, like someone jacknifed the trailer or something - hard. I asked him if he believed it had been in an accident, and the mechanic believed that it had been. I told the mechanic to replace the hitch as then I can get one with a 2 inch ball.

Now, the boat is back at my house (a buddy of mine towed it back to my house for me) and it's looking great in my garage. Dang great. All GL'ers would be proud, as I have just raised my CI index.

So, I called the dealer to find out where my parts are for my trailer hitch. He said he could get them, but they were in another state, and it would take a few days to get them here. I said ok, and asked him about when I should bring it in, etc. He asked what I would be pulling with it, and I told him what I would be. my 16 ft boat, which probably weighs under 1000 lb. He stated that they couldn't do it, as it would be a safety risk, and told me that maybe I should talk to sales to get a new truck or SUV, and promptly transfered me.

The biggest issues:

- Car, and what to do with the dealer

- Easiest way to find out if the boat was in an accident

- How do I get rid of the gas in the gas tank legally - can I just put a few oz of Sta-Bil in there and be ok, as I don't know how long the gas has been sitting in there

- Should I just wash my hands, chalk this up to experience, and sell the whole thing, most likely taking a big hit in the wallet, or should I proceed with the next step, whatever that is.

Now, I am just wondering what else can go wrong with the boat and in this situation. I'm a little worried I may have bit off more than I can chew. I didn't budget an additional $4000+ on this project, I only budgeted around $2000. I'm already at $3,000, and I still haven't even had it in the water yet.

Thanks for all the valueable advice!

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'm no mechanic, but you should be able to find out a tow rating for your car in your owners manual. I know I found mine in there, and it said 1000 pounds maximum ('04 Accord 3.0L). I would imagine that yours would be somewhere near there, but check for sure. If it is okay to tow your boat with your car, then find another mechanic. Installing a trailer hitch is pretty easy and you should be able to find plenty of folks that would do it.

I don't know about your accident question. About the gas, how much is in the tank? If it's a few gallons, I'd just top it off with fresh gas and you'd more than likely be fine. If it is full already, run is a gallon or two at a time in your car, mixed with fresh gas.

[aug495fish]

Maxium towing on an '03 Malibu is 1000 lbs. Don't forget the weight of your equipment either. If it were me, I wouldn't tow it with a Malibu.

[Valv]

I agree with not towing with your Malibu, but if that's what you have, there's not much you can do.

I don't think there's much expenses fixing a trailer hitch, for what I know it's just $ 25.00, unless your towbar is bent, then it's another issue.

There is no way to find out if boat was in accidednt and I don't see what could be a problem, if it's evident and visible ok, otherwise enjoy it.

If you feel uncomfortable with the whole unit send me an email, I can buy it from you at money you have into it, I am looking for a "project" 16 footer, and this interests me.

Otherwise we can try to help you out a little, depending on your capabilities.

[bucketmouth64]

I wouldn't pull it with a car either. I would ask a tranny shop their opinion how it would affect your transmission. I've seen some cars pulling boats and it looks like the car is underpowered and putting a lot strain on it. Plus it sags the rear end of the vehicle which I would think would bottom out at times on bumps.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I would figure that the weight of the boat itself would be around #700, Then the trailer #200, Then the motor, #100, Fuel (5 gallons) #40, Gear a conservative #20, anchor #15, Cooler #20, trolling motor #35, battery #20 I'm wildly guessing at these numbers but I'm already over 1000 pounds.

Can a malibu tow it? Sure until the tranny stops working! The better question is can it stop it? Not safely in my opinion!! The brakes on these are not meant for stopping heavy loads. They can barely handle the daily commute!!

Will it tow a small trailer maybe 500 lbs. I would bet it would until the cows came home with no problems.

Another question how many people will be in the car. With the tongue weight of the trailer a full trunk, two people in the back seat that suspesion will be bottomed out. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't with just the boat and trailer.

In my opinion it just wouldnt be safe! you definitely don't want to be towing at the maximum. Front wheel drive cars are not made for it. Not to mention the $3,500 (plus or minus) repair bill for the trans rebuild that you would risk everytime you head out to the lake.

[stmichael]

Another thing to think about:

I have seen several cases where a car was used to launch a boat...both front and rear wheel drive...however, this has happened to mostly front wheel drive. Drop off the boat no problems, when they try to pull the boat out of the water the car just sits and spins. Now you hope that there are guys out there, (like most of us are) who will offer you a hand. or should I say rope/chain/strap.

[TimR]

1st - Get the rig on the trailer weighed. Are you under the tow limit? Yes?

2nd - Install hitch and tranny cooler. Not hard at all to do.

I've seen more trucks in 2wd spin their tires at the ramp than Front WD cars.

If you are under the weight spec'd in your owners manual, and use your head I say go for it.

Tim

[nofishfisherman]

A car can tow a boat on flat even hard terrain like say a road but the problem comes when trying to get the boat out of the water. Like stated in the last post.

The car needs to have the power to drive up the boat ramp with the weight of the boat plus in has to over come the suction of the lake that it will put on the boat and trailer.

The dealer should have never said your car should be able to tow it. Where did you get it from. Seems like a shady dealer to me.

[Hoffer]

The above posts already stated what I was going to mention - it is at the ramp where you will have the issues. Even at the best ramps - just a slight incline with a little water on it will cause your vehicle to spin out. If you have a decent trailer - you can probably tow the boat easily at the weight you are describing - shouldnt really be an issue to tow - but getting it out of the ramp is another issue. It is a pain spinning your tires -especially if there are others waiting in line. If you do stay with this setup - I would just scope out a few boat lauches/ramps in your area and drive over with a few friends some day when it isnt busy. drop the boat in - and then try to take it out...if you have problems spinning the tires etc...your friends can help you with a push - and you wont take up other peoples time at a busy ramp finding this out the hard way. I hope everything works out OK.

[wx_nut]

There's approx. 4 gallons left in a 6 gallon tank. The guy said he filled it up in November of last year, however I'm not sure how much I trust him at this point.

Can I run the gas in my car even though it's been mixed?

[Ralph Wiggum]

If you only go a gallon at a time, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Thomas]

I pulled a 16 foot boat with 30 horse moter with 3.0 Mercury sable with no problem for more than 5 years. Had 164,000 miles on the car before I got rid of it, not that I had problems with transmission. The gas tank, just top off with fresh gas and oil and you won't have a problem.

[walleyeaddict]

I guess if it were me i would sit down and think can i afford a truck??? If you can maybe get one if u cant I know of a couple guys with similar cars that pull 18 footers a short distance sensibly. As far as the boat get it goin sell it and get another one!!!

[Valv]

The towing vehicle question is your choice, you have to look at your budget.

I wouldn't sell the boat if you are happy with it, there's nothing wrong with it and it has been fixed already.

[wx_nut]

I wanted to thank everyone for their helpful advice! I really appreciate everything this community has done to help a guy learn and get his boat in the water.

I did end up buying a new vehicle (a 2002 Santa Fe) which has a towing capacity of around 5,000 pounds, so I think I'll be ok. :-)

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! See you on the lakes!

-wx_nut

[stmichael]

I think that you will be much happier with your decision happy fishing!

[PerchJerker]

Sounds like you're in good shape now, enjoy your boat and vehicle.

I have to give you a warning though about the cycle you've started. I know of which I speak, I was in it for years. It goes like this:

1. Get a boat.

2. Decide you need a bigger tow vehicle for the boat.

3. Decide to get a bigger boat since you tow vehicle can handle it.

4. Decide you want a bigger tow vehicle for the new boat.

5. Now you keep repeating #3 and #4. This goes on for year (maybe even a lifetime)