How can I tow this?

[Bucky3343]

I was recently wakeboarding in Indiana with some old friends. I really like it So I started to look into some boats. Then I realized I have nothing to pull a boat with. All I have is a Honda civic. Honda odyssey. And an old rattl trap of a dodge Dakota sport. So, if I got a boat, how would I get it to the lake? The closest lake to me is an hour away. Is there a service where you can rent someone to pull a boat for you???

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: How can I tow this?

Is there a service where you can rent someone to pull a boat for you???

Welcome to iboats!

Not a BAD idea, but certainly not terribly convenient for you...and would be VERY expensive long term. Assume for the sake of argument a tow fee of $1 a mile. After about ten round trips to the lake, you could buy a very inexpensive tow vehicle. In fact, what is wrong with your Dakota? You can pull just about any kind of aluminum or glass boat up to about an 18 footer safely. Maybe just get your current truck in shape and use it. Just my .02!

 

[four winns 214]

Re: How can I tow this?

You'd be better off getting the boat delivered to the lake and leaving it there in a slip or at a valet launch service if one exists. Or as S. Seville says, get the Dodge serviceable for towing. Having a capable tow vehicle is part of the boat-owning equation for the size vessel you are considering.

 

[Bucky3343]

Re: How can I tow this?

Ok but who would I call if I wanted to have someone tow it for me? How much would it cost?

 

[lncoop]

Re: How can I tow this?

Please tell me this is a joke.

 

[Bucky3343]

Re: How can I tow this?

No it is not a joke. I have absolutely no knowledge of boats. Please dont make fun of me and fill me in on my question please

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How can I tow this?

No it is not a joke. I have absolutely no knowledge of boats. Please dont make fun of me and fill me in on my question please

Step 1 - sell car or minivan
Step 2 - buy vehicle capable of towing whatever boat you buy

 

[lncoop]

Re: How can I tow this?

No it is not a joke. I have absolutely no knowledge of boats. Please dont make fun of me and fill me in on my question please

Okay, I'll assume you're serious then. Nothing personal. Just sounded like something a prankster would ask. The first question is do you need to keep the Odyssey and Dakota? If not, as oldjeep says, the best thing to do would be to sell them and get a suitable tow vehicle. Paying someone to tow your boat for you on a regular basis, if you could even find that kind of service, would probably be cost-prohibitive and fraught with liability issues. If you didn't want to get rid of the Odyssey and Dakota you could probably find suitable dry storage close to the lake and tow your rig from there with the Dakota. Of course you'd still need to be sure the Dakota could handle your rig on the ramp. Or, as Fourwinns said, you could simply rent a slip.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: How can I tow this?

The point that is politely trying to be made is that where most of us boaters are, there aren't publicized towing services like you are looking for. If there were to be a service like that, the cost per tow would quickly pay for the repairs to make your dakota useable or pay to replace it.

 

[jkust]

Re: How can I tow this?

Well if you get down to it an Odyssey presuming it is equipped with the tow package is capable of towing a lighter boat.

 

[itsacrazyasian]

Re: How can I tow this?

Some more info on the vehicles would be ideal.

Specifically what motors/transmissions are in each vehicle.

I tow a 22ft Regal and a Aquatron with a Crown Victoria. I have a F350 diesel also but with a manual transmission, but the Crown Vic's automatic makes it much easier to launch and retrieve. A good friend tows with his 2005 odyssey but its only about 3500lbs.

So if you don't want to get rid of the vehicles, find a boat that you can pull...

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: How can I tow this?

...The closest lake to me is an hour away. Is there a service where you can rent someone to pull a boat for you???

OK, Let's put this in perspective.

Assume I am a guy with a truck and not a good friend of yours, but I am willing to tow your boat to the lake that is an hour away.
You call me up , I get to your house 30 minutes later. Another 30 minutes to inspect the trailer, tires , hitch , hookup and prep the boat to go.
An hour to the ramp. Two hour so far.
Twenty minutes to prep, launch and park your trailer.
Another hour and 10 for me to get back home.
Three and a half hours round trip.
Three hours if we get really lucky, 4+ hours if there is heavy road traffic of we have a line at the ramp to launch.
Consider Insurance, liability, Gas at 10 mile to the gallon, wear and tear on a truck $$$.

I'll tow you for $300 to the lake. If you want the boat returned home that evening I'll give you a package deal of $500 for the day, Round trip.

Does this sound like something you would be willing to do even once a week?

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: How can I tow this?

Uncle Willie...I am so glad you said it, because I really wanted to; but was trying to be gentle with this potential newbie!

Now maybe the OP understands why there is NO SUCH THING as this kind of service being advertised.

 

[saxrulez]

Re: How can I tow this?

I was recently wakeboarding in Indiana with some old friends. I really like it So I started to look into some boats. Then I realized I have nothing to pull a boat with. All I have is a Honda civic. Honda odyssey. And an old rattl trap of a dodge Dakota sport. So, if I got a boat, how would I get it to the lake? The closest lake to me is an hour away. Is there a service where you can rent someone to pull a boat for you???

The odyssey is rated for towing 3500 lbs. Find a 16-18 ft boat and trailer that are under that(pretty much all of them).

Tada.

 

[Bucky3343]

Re: How can I tow this?

Ok so a Dakota would be able to tow a boat?

 

[lncoop]

Re: How can I tow this?

Ok so a Dakota would be able to tow a boat?

Sure. So would the Odyssey, and for that matter the Civic if the boat were small enough.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How can I tow this?

for a one-time "tow" you put the boat and trailer on a roll-back and have it towed and dropped. Not an economical option for regular use.
You can also rent a car/truck capable of towing, but many rental companies do not allow towing. I suppose you could rent a U-haul since they hook their trailers to their trucks. Again, not likely very economical for regular use.

There's a bigger picture here. You do not live on or near the water. The further you have to go to get to water, the less you will use your boat. Short trips are not an option, and that's where the people who use boats a lot use them most. If you get a boat, and get/fix a tow vehicle, you are investing in recreation you may not use often enough to be worthwhile.

Where do you live? maybe instead of trying to hire a tow, you need to hire a boat at the destination. Renting is a good way to boat when you don't live near the water and won't be going much.

Or buy a boat with a friend who has a tow vehicle.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: How can I tow this?

I wouldn't tow a wakeboard/ski boat with the Oddy... (google "Honda Odyssey transmission problems"...)

What year is the Dakota, what engine does it have, how "ratty" is it?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How can I tow this?

Ok so a Dakota would be able to tow a boat?

Sure but I wouldn't tow an hour with something I described as "And an old rattl trap of a dodge Dakota sport"

 

[maproy99]

Re: How can I tow this?

Smaller motor home would be an option too, then you can camp at the lake over the weekend.