Pulling the Boat

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May 28, 2007
1
- - Indianapolis, IN
We have a Catalina 25ft swing keel boat. We would like to pull the boat to various lakes in the Midwest. We think that the boat and trailer weights about 6,500lb. We are having trouble deciding what type of vehicle to purchase. We have looked at both ½ ton and ¾ ton trucks (Ford, Chevy, Dodge & Toyota) and have become very confused. The ½ ton seems to teeter on the edge of what we need with a total maximum tow average of about 8500lbs. The ¾ ton seems to be more than enough truck, towing an average of 12,000lbs. Do we really need that much of a truck for towing? How do other Catalina 25ft owners pull their boat? How does the vehicle perform? Do you have any suggestions? Any knowledge and/or past experience would be greatly appreciated.
 
J

John

I tow big trailers 12000 plus

I think you could pull 6500 lbs with a 1/2 ton truck .I like the fords F 150 250 350 450 550 I like the Power stroke dsl, my trailer is 3300lbs and i load 9000 lbs on it all the time .The truck pulls 6500 lbs and you cant even feel it .A f150 will feel the boat, and if you get into trouble you would wish you had a larger truck .It is a pain to trailer your boat its hight and it needs to be deep in the water to floate it off the trailer the hight of a 250 or 350 lets you back in the water deeper and it has more power to pull out of a steep ramp and it will alow you to use more ramps , most ramps arent long enough to float a sail boat my trailers wheels would drop off the end of the ramp and i would use a come along to pull it up when pulling the boat out. .my C25 was pulled with a f150 but onley to and from the lanch ramp twice a year.If you pull alot the dsl will get better MPG . John
 
Feb 25, 2007
191
- - Sandusky, Ohio
Catalina 25 Association

Go to their site. You'll find more information than you'll ever need. A large and friendly group that is glad to share their knowledge.
 
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