I am considering buying a Hunter 23.5 and would like to know if a tongue extension is necessary to launch on a standard ramp. My launch vehicle is a Honda Odyssey minivan. By the way, I think this boat is too big to tow with the van so I'll store it near my launch site. If I can get it in the water, that's all I need. Thanks!
Lauching a Hunter 23.5/240
- Thread starter erik14752
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The h23.5 is listed with a dry weight of 3,000 lbs.
With trailer, an outboard engine, water in the tank and provisions you are probably close to 3,500 lbs. Your vehicle is rated for a towing weight of 2,000 lbs or 3,500 lbs if you have the optional towing package. For short tows from on the premises dry storage to the ramp and back you should be OK. Nevertheless realize that when pulling the boat out of the water and up the ramp you will be exceeding the recommended maximum towing figures. Place the transmission on 1st or low and pull slowly allowing the boat's weight to gradually sit on the trailer bunks as you pull out of the water. Avoid wheelspin and favor a dry spot for your front tires. Ramps vary in length, slope and conditions. Tidal waters may throw in other variables. Scout the intended ramp and make sure is long enough to accomodate your trailer from the rear wheels to the tongue. Make sure the slope or grade is steep enough to float the boat before the back tires hit the end of ramp. (if you can do it a low tide then you should not have a problem at high tide) Check the ramp for traction characteristics whether usually dry, slimy or rough or sleek surface. If the ramp is not adequate find another one.
With trailer, an outboard engine, water in the tank and provisions you are probably close to 3,500 lbs. Your vehicle is rated for a towing weight of 2,000 lbs or 3,500 lbs if you have the optional towing package. For short tows from on the premises dry storage to the ramp and back you should be OK. Nevertheless realize that when pulling the boat out of the water and up the ramp you will be exceeding the recommended maximum towing figures. Place the transmission on 1st or low and pull slowly allowing the boat's weight to gradually sit on the trailer bunks as you pull out of the water. Avoid wheelspin and favor a dry spot for your front tires. Ramps vary in length, slope and conditions. Tidal waters may throw in other variables. Scout the intended ramp and make sure is long enough to accomodate your trailer from the rear wheels to the tongue. Make sure the slope or grade is steep enough to float the boat before the back tires hit the end of ramp. (if you can do it a low tide then you should not have a problem at high tide) Check the ramp for traction characteristics whether usually dry, slimy or rough or sleek surface. If the ramp is not adequate find another one.
The trailer tongue extender
would allow you to use ramps that may not be steep enough to use otherwise. I have one for my Hunter 20 which I have not yet launched. The previous owners did have occasion to use the extender.
would allow you to use ramps that may not be steep enough to use otherwise. I have one for my Hunter 20 which I have not yet launched. The previous owners did have occasion to use the extender.
The dry weight is 2000 lbs..
But when you add trailer, motor and cruise gear, you can get it up to 3500 lbs, with 300 lbs on the the hitch making the towing load about 3000 to 3200 lbs. The 23.5 trailer has an extender built in, but I've never needed it as the boat floats on and off real easy. I use a small toyota camery (2000lb limit) to pull the boat out of the lake for cleaning, and to bring it home a few miles, but for real trailering, I rent a F-150 to pull it for $50 a day. The gas savings from commuting is a small car pays for my slip and truck rental, so I never felt the need for a larger tow vehicle. If you needed to, you get the tow weight down to about 2500 lbs for just the boat motor trailer and mast, and put everything else in the van.
But when you add trailer, motor and cruise gear, you can get it up to 3500 lbs, with 300 lbs on the the hitch making the towing load about 3000 to 3200 lbs. The 23.5 trailer has an extender built in, but I've never needed it as the boat floats on and off real easy. I use a small toyota camery (2000lb limit) to pull the boat out of the lake for cleaning, and to bring it home a few miles, but for real trailering, I rent a F-150 to pull it for $50 a day. The gas savings from commuting is a small car pays for my slip and truck rental, so I never felt the need for a larger tow vehicle. If you needed to, you get the tow weight down to about 2500 lbs for just the boat motor trailer and mast, and put everything else in the van.
My 23.5's weight
I took my 1995 23.5 over a weigh scale. I had just bought it and was towing it home (over the Rocky Mountains with a rented 3/4 ton deisel). The boat was empty except for a few lifejackets, and there was no outboard. I only had the trailer tires on the scale, and it was 3300 lbs. Guessing 10% on the hitch, that would make 3600 lbs. I've since added stern rail seats. I've launched and retrieved it every year for 6 years now (once for the season) with a 1991 Grand Caravan, rated at 3500 lbs with the tow package. I use the entender. No problem; it seems perfectly capable to me. The fact that I need the extender may indicate my ramp is a shallower angle though. I've hauled it to the lake and back and to the lake: 3 one-way trips. About 90 minutes each way. No problem, but you can sure tell the boat is there (unlike with the 3/4 ton truck). I wouldn't tow it over even a small mountain range with the minivan.
I took my 1995 23.5 over a weigh scale. I had just bought it and was towing it home (over the Rocky Mountains with a rented 3/4 ton deisel). The boat was empty except for a few lifejackets, and there was no outboard. I only had the trailer tires on the scale, and it was 3300 lbs. Guessing 10% on the hitch, that would make 3600 lbs. I've since added stern rail seats. I've launched and retrieved it every year for 6 years now (once for the season) with a 1991 Grand Caravan, rated at 3500 lbs with the tow package. I use the entender. No problem; it seems perfectly capable to me. The fact that I need the extender may indicate my ramp is a shallower angle though. I've hauled it to the lake and back and to the lake: 3 one-way trips. About 90 minutes each way. No problem, but you can sure tell the boat is there (unlike with the 3/4 ton truck). I wouldn't tow it over even a small mountain range with the minivan.
My 240
My wife and I towed and launched our H240 with a Chevrolet 2 door Blazer. So I think your Odessey won't have any problems at all. I would recomend using the extension bar that is standard on the trailer, at least on my 240 trailer, because it will keep your front wheels on dry pavement. When the boat is being pulled out the tongue weight will cause a small loss of force, so to get traction you will ant to keep the front tires on dry pavement. The ramps where we sail are busy and the water gets drug pretty far up the ramp.
My wife and I towed and launched our H240 with a Chevrolet 2 door Blazer. So I think your Odessey won't have any problems at all. I would recomend using the extension bar that is standard on the trailer, at least on my 240 trailer, because it will keep your front wheels on dry pavement. When the boat is being pulled out the tongue weight will cause a small loss of force, so to get traction you will ant to keep the front tires on dry pavement. The ramps where we sail are busy and the water gets drug pretty far up the ramp.
Tounge extensions often get stuck
Try launching with out extending the tounge, when I extended mine on my H26 it was a real pain to get it back in place. Over time the tounge extension bends a little when it is used and that makes putting it back in place a real chore.
Try launching with out extending the tounge, when I extended mine on my H26 it was a real pain to get it back in place. Over time the tounge extension bends a little when it is used and that makes putting it back in place a real chore.
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