Towing Hunter 25

[CoSailer01]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes:
I am looking at purchasing a 1983 Hunter 25 (my first boat). It comes with a nice roller trailer and I have a full sized truck capable of towing it. It is the fin keel model. It is not something I would tow regularly but I would be interested in towing it to places like Lake Powell, Havasu, or Meade (3-7 hours away). I live in western Colorado.
My question is a little general but I am a little concerned about what it's like to tow a boat that doesn't have some type of retractable keel. Does a boat like this that sits high on the trailer get blown around a lot? Are they difficult to tow?
Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[dLj]

If the trailer is setup to handle the boat then it shouldn't be a problem. If you do get into a serious wind storm, then I would stop and wait out the storm. I haven't towed the boat you are taking about but have towed a number of other boats. Yes, if you have a lot of crosswind you can feel it, but if the trailer is built correctly for the boat then unless you have a string winds, you probably won't even notice it.

I would look carefully at how the boat is tied down onto the trailer. Without seeing your boat and trailer, not much more I can say. My father once dropped a boat we were trailering off the trailer while driving down the interstate. We did not have it tied down on the trailer.

dj

 

[Whatfiero1]

You didn't mention whether or not its double axle that helps take it slow and you'll get good at it Also for raising mast if u can find a launch ramp with lots of big trees along road dont be scared to put a line and pulley high up on tree to aid in mast stepping

 

[Hunter216]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes:
I am looking at purchasing a 1983 Hunter 25 (my first boat). It comes with a nice roller trailer and I have a full sized truck capable of towing it. It is the fin keel model. It is not something I would tow regularly but I would be interested in towing it to places like Lake Powell, Havasu, or Meade (3-7 hours away). I live in western Colorado.
My question is a little general but I am a little concerned about what it's like to tow a boat that doesn't have some type of retractable keel. Does a boat like this that sits high on the trailer get blown around a lot? Are they difficult to tow?
Thanks in advance for any input.

I used to own a C&C 24 that was somewhat similar to your boat, fixed keel, 4 ft draft etc.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/hunter-25

I mounted the cradle that came with the boat on a heavy duty dual axle trailer so that I could eliminate yard storage fees, I always had a boat yard lift the boat on/off the trailer. I towed the boat on flat secondary roads (max speed 50 mph) with a vehicle that exceeded the required towing capacity. I also grew up farming and using heavy equipment so have quite a bit of experience towing heavy loads.

I can definitively say that wind will play a factor in the stability of the ride. Even at 50mph I felt that I was pushing things a bit as it’s a high, heavy load.

The other issue is has the current owner launched the boat from the trailer and are you sure there is a suitable boat ramp at your destination?

 

[CoSailer01]

Thanks for all the replies! That was exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for.

It is a dual axle trailer that appears very solid and well built.

The woman who owns the boat currently has said she has no trouble launching from the ramp at lake Dillon.

 

[Db421]

I have the same boat. I've towed it with my 4.6 liter Ford F 150 with no trouble. Can't even imagine using a bunk trailer with this boat or launching it at a ramp. Needs to be lifted on and off the trailer. Good luck.

 

[Capt jgw]

Just watch the clearance on any bridges you'll have to go under. Don't know what your height will be but it can be an issue. There was a bridge over a major freeway here that got hit by trucks like five times in the last couple years until they finally tore it down and rebuilt. It was only a few inches lower than all the rest but that's all it took. Bridges on the side roads to get you to the water could be lower than standard.