I am looking for a farily accurate estimate of what the H26 boat AND trailer towing weight is. Also, the tongue weight would be helpful, assuming boat is normally loaded and motor on back. Thanks for anyone's input.
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Tom
About 4500 lbs
I estimate the the boat (dry), trailer, motor (4 stroke) and reasonable amount of equipment is between 4,000 and 4,500 lbs. I tow my rig with a GMC Jimmy (smaller model) which is rated for 5000 lbs. Tows great upto about 65 MPH. Be sure to check the trailer brake fluid before trailering. Mine was delivered without brake fluid which I didn't discover until after trailering it 200 miles. The rig seemed a little pushy when stopping. Brake fluid and properly bleeeding the lines resolved that issue. Fair winds, Tom
I estimate the the boat (dry), trailer, motor (4 stroke) and reasonable amount of equipment is between 4,000 and 4,500 lbs. I tow my rig with a GMC Jimmy (smaller model) which is rated for 5000 lbs. Tows great upto about 65 MPH. Be sure to check the trailer brake fluid before trailering. Mine was delivered without brake fluid which I didn't discover until after trailering it 200 miles. The rig seemed a little pushy when stopping. Brake fluid and properly bleeeding the lines resolved that issue. Fair winds, Tom
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Ron Mehringer
Tom...
How many miles have you towed your 26 with your Jimmy? Also, what type of terrain? I have the same boat and SUV, and despite a few people telling me of their towing success with the Jimmy/Blazer, I'm worried. Two primary concerns are "the boat driving the car" and getting up some good sized hills to get back to my lake marina in northwestern NJ. To play it safe, I'm real close to buying a Tahoe, but in all honesty I'd rather not drive a vehicle that large. My appologies for posting on this subject again to all those who have previously responded. s/v Hydro-Therapy
How many miles have you towed your 26 with your Jimmy? Also, what type of terrain? I have the same boat and SUV, and despite a few people telling me of their towing success with the Jimmy/Blazer, I'm worried. Two primary concerns are "the boat driving the car" and getting up some good sized hills to get back to my lake marina in northwestern NJ. To play it safe, I'm real close to buying a Tahoe, but in all honesty I'd rather not drive a vehicle that large. My appologies for posting on this subject again to all those who have previously responded. s/v Hydro-Therapy
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Bob Schmit
4500 seems close
I think with ballast out, it is about 3000 +1000 for trailor plus all the stuff loaded on the boat...Probably about 400 on tongue. On longer trips I leave motor and gas tank on back instead of in tow vehicle and it tends to give less weight and better drivability with that setup. If you need a tow vehicle ,Ron, the first mate/she who must be obeyed wants to move to a Hunter 34 since our trip to Florida,so we won't need the '91 Econoline we use for towing.... Also, have you ever though of sailing Pepin? email:bobnodee@juno.com
I think with ballast out, it is about 3000 +1000 for trailor plus all the stuff loaded on the boat...Probably about 400 on tongue. On longer trips I leave motor and gas tank on back instead of in tow vehicle and it tends to give less weight and better drivability with that setup. If you need a tow vehicle ,Ron, the first mate/she who must be obeyed wants to move to a Hunter 34 since our trip to Florida,so we won't need the '91 Econoline we use for towing.... Also, have you ever though of sailing Pepin? email:bobnodee@juno.com
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Russ King
4500 Sounds light...
I've been checking out the Catalina 250, and learned a few startling facts. First, the advertised boat weight may be less than the actual weight. The early Catalina literature state 2400 lbs, but now they admit the boat is 3250 lbs. I would not be surprised to learn that the Hunter 26/260 is much heavier than advertised. Second, the trailer for the Catalina (dual axle) weighs about 1250 lbs. If the H 26 trailer is dual axle, it should weigh about the same. This puts the advertised weight so far up to 4500 lbs. Outboard motor weight (4 stroke) is about 100 lbs (I haven't checked lately); add another 40 lbs for a full tank of gas. Any extras you have will add to the base weight (anchor, etc.) Food, gear, etc. can easily exceed 250 lbs. Total weight is now at least 4900 lbs. Most likely 5000 lbs or more. Typical trailer towing ratings include driver and one passenger (the passenger has been omitted in the Chev/GM 2000 brochures to make the towing capacity look better), so if you're carrying kids, bikes, etc., factor in the weight; you'll be surprised how much it adds up. Finally, someone here suggested that your tow vehicle should have excess capacity (it's easier on the tow vehicle). I suggest you look at a tow vehicle that can tow 6000 or 7000 lbs.
I've been checking out the Catalina 250, and learned a few startling facts. First, the advertised boat weight may be less than the actual weight. The early Catalina literature state 2400 lbs, but now they admit the boat is 3250 lbs. I would not be surprised to learn that the Hunter 26/260 is much heavier than advertised. Second, the trailer for the Catalina (dual axle) weighs about 1250 lbs. If the H 26 trailer is dual axle, it should weigh about the same. This puts the advertised weight so far up to 4500 lbs. Outboard motor weight (4 stroke) is about 100 lbs (I haven't checked lately); add another 40 lbs for a full tank of gas. Any extras you have will add to the base weight (anchor, etc.) Food, gear, etc. can easily exceed 250 lbs. Total weight is now at least 4900 lbs. Most likely 5000 lbs or more. Typical trailer towing ratings include driver and one passenger (the passenger has been omitted in the Chev/GM 2000 brochures to make the towing capacity look better), so if you're carrying kids, bikes, etc., factor in the weight; you'll be surprised how much it adds up. Finally, someone here suggested that your tow vehicle should have excess capacity (it's easier on the tow vehicle). I suggest you look at a tow vehicle that can tow 6000 or 7000 lbs.
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Steve Petrie
Trailering weight
I have weighed my 1994 H26 on the trailer with cruising gear after returning from a 10 day trip to the San Juan Islands (this was when I lived in Idaho) and the boat, trailer, motor, gear, etc. weighed 5200 lbs. This is probably about normal since we had clothes, food, etc. but some folks take more beer than we do. Anyway, I assume that 5500 would be near the top end of the range for weight.
I have weighed my 1994 H26 on the trailer with cruising gear after returning from a 10 day trip to the San Juan Islands (this was when I lived in Idaho) and the boat, trailer, motor, gear, etc. weighed 5200 lbs. This is probably about normal since we had clothes, food, etc. but some folks take more beer than we do. Anyway, I assume that 5500 would be near the top end of the range for weight.
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Michael Bell
3 tons
When I towed my ’98 H26 home from the lake last Fall, I hit the scales at five pounds under 6000 with 500 pounds of tongue weight (racers we are not). When towing to Canada with three weeks worth of food and beer, I estimated my trailer weight closer to 7000 pounds.
When I towed my ’98 H26 home from the lake last Fall, I hit the scales at five pounds under 6000 with 500 pounds of tongue weight (racers we are not). When towing to Canada with three weeks worth of food and beer, I estimated my trailer weight closer to 7000 pounds.
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Russ King
Taking Beer to Canada?
Michael, why are you taking beer to Canada? Everyone knows that Canadian beer is better! And Canada now has American type beer, too. It's call 'light beer'. <g>
Michael, why are you taking beer to Canada? Everyone knows that Canadian beer is better! And Canada now has American type beer, too. It's call 'light beer'. <g>
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Tom
Ron...
Hi Ron, I have logged about 400 miles towing the H260 with my Jimmy (1997). The Jimmy is rated for 5000 lbs. I have the 4 door, long wheelbase model that included the towing package (transmission cooler, brakes, etc Have done mostly hiway driving and it tracks good up to about 65 MPH. I keep it between 55 and 60. It actually tracks better than the MAC26 I had before, probably due to the tandem tires. I purchased the boat new and didn't check the brake fluid on the trailer at delivery. During the ride home the rig was very pushy when stopping. I determined the problem and added fluid and bled the brakes and it is now fine. I am comfortable towing the H260 with the Jimmy/Blazer and wouldn't have bought the boat if it couldn't handle it. I like a trailerable boat, and I don't want a larger truck. I take it slow, don't use overdrive , and leave plenty of stopping distance while towing. Fair winds... Tom
Hi Ron, I have logged about 400 miles towing the H260 with my Jimmy (1997). The Jimmy is rated for 5000 lbs. I have the 4 door, long wheelbase model that included the towing package (transmission cooler, brakes, etc Have done mostly hiway driving and it tracks good up to about 65 MPH. I keep it between 55 and 60. It actually tracks better than the MAC26 I had before, probably due to the tandem tires. I purchased the boat new and didn't check the brake fluid on the trailer at delivery. During the ride home the rig was very pushy when stopping. I determined the problem and added fluid and bled the brakes and it is now fine. I am comfortable towing the H260 with the Jimmy/Blazer and wouldn't have bought the boat if it couldn't handle it. I like a trailerable boat, and I don't want a larger truck. I take it slow, don't use overdrive , and leave plenty of stopping distance while towing. Fair winds... Tom
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Michael Bell
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