boat weight? how to tell

[aluminum]

How can I tell the approx. weight of a boat? I am asking to see if my car would be able to pull the boat. My car is rated for a 1000 pound hitch class 1.

The boat is a 1960's (?) 14' aluminum Cherokee with a 40Hp motor on it.

Any way to guess the weight?

Thanks,

 

[JimS123]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

A 14' aluminum boat weighs between 300 and 600 pounds. The trailer between maybe 180 and 250. A 40 HP about 200 lbs.

Get the model numbers of all the parts and google them individually for better info. Or get it weighed.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

Find a public scale, weigh boat, tlr and tow vehicle. Pull off the scale, drop boat and tlr, go back and weigh tow vehicle. Also the tow vehicle doesn't have to be yours.
Mike

 

[aluminum]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

How would I find a public scale? The trailer is a Lone Star from the 50's (?). I will have to find the serial number to find out the year for the motor, but it is a 402 40 HP Mercury "Rocket"

I found a 50hp with the same body graphics (1979) and it stated 180 lbs. So this one should be bit less weight I am guessing.

Thanks for the quick replies,

 

[arks]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

Yeah, you should find a scale. It'll take all the guesswork out.
Look here:
http://catscale.findlocation.com/

 

[aluminum]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

Thanks for that link. There is one not too far way.

 

[mrdancer]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

You can weigh the boat with a regular household scale using simple math and physics.

1. First put the scale under the tongue with the boat pulled all the way up on the trailer. For me the scale read 150lbs so W1=150

2. scoot the boat back on the trailer EXACTLY 10" so 10=X

3. reweight the tongue. For me it was 100lbs so W2=100

4. measure the distance in inches from the axle to the tip of the tongue. For me it was 180". so 180=C

5. Plug all 4 of your numbers into the equation. C(W1-W2)/X


Mine looked like this... 180(150-100)/10

6. do the equation
a. first you subtract 100 from 150 which = 50
b. then you multiply 50 by 180 which= 9000
c. finally you divide 9000 by 10 which = 900

So my boat weighs 900 lbs. It will only take you about 5-10 minutes to do.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

I have heard that you should only pull 2/3 of your tow limit if you are towing on a regular basis. But I can tell you for sure that towing anything with a car is hard on the transmission so be sure and keep it out of overdrive. Also don't forget to add the weight of your fuel and gear.

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

Find the nearest grain elevator. If you ask nice and they aren't swamped busy they should let you use there scale. Some salvage yards have drive on scales too.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

I think just about any truck stop has a scale ,, cost about $7.00 last time I checked.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: boat weight? how to tell

Others:
Landscape yards
Landfills