New Guy Looking to Buy a Used Bowrider

[JimKW]

I have a 98 Volvo V70 Turbo that I will be using to tow with which is a limiting factor in what I can buy. I am looking a a Glastron SX175 with a 3.0L 4 Cyl and pretty sure I would want something with a little more power. According tothe owner's manual, I can tow up to 3,000 lbs as long as the trailer has brakes and up to 2,000 if no brakes on the trailer.

I owned a late 70's early 80's Wellcraft 196 years ago so I am familiar with boating and towing. Had to buy an old Jeep Wagoneer just tow that one and I don't want to do that again.

Does anybody have recomendations on boats I can can consider that will meet my towing criteria? There is a very nice looking 2000 18' Crownline 180 for sale locally with a 4.3L V-6 190 HP, but I am afraid that will be too heavy.

What do you think?

Thanks

 

[cwhite6]

Re: New Guy Looking to Buy a Used Bowrider

Having towed many a trailer, I would not recommend exceeding 80% of your allowed tow rating. When you get near the max, it gets interesting. Now, being a engineer myself, I know engineers build a safety or dummy factor in. But, I would still stay at 80% or below.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: New Guy Looking to Buy a Used Bowrider

I agree as far as weight I feel that is why most guys with tranny problems are because of towing at the MAX towing weight and never taking into consideration everything else like Gas, Water, Gear etc.

I know that Bayliners are light and they are great entry level boats. I have been boating for 20 years and I just bought another one after owning a Nautique for years. The 175 comes in at 2,272 lbs with the trailer and all and the 185 comes in at 2,945 lbs. Just a suggestion....

 

[jkust]

Re: New Guy Looking to Buy a Used Bowrider

Crownlines are decent but relatively heavily constructed boats. I would pick the Crown over the Glastron but I would bet your rig would tow the GT with trailer brakes but likely be on the very edge of the margins for any safety. I just stopped towing a heavier rig with a year 2000 minivan with a tiny v6, auto air adjusting suspension and 3500lb tow package which is also a car chasis. I was over the limit when loaded but it actually tows better due to longer wheelbase on flat straightaways than my new suv with a v8. Every other possible way though the suv is superior. The air suspension in the minivan is somewhat of an enabler to tow heavier than intended trailers. I let my boating hobby dictate my vehicles now. I would have never bought a v8 suv but the safety concerns and towability always have you on edge when in the wrong vehicle. If you want to be a true boater with a boat that size I think at some point you need the correct vehicle. Our boating life is a lot easier and a lot less stressful now that we are in the correct vehicle.

 

[leshadow]

Re: New Guy Looking to Buy a Used Bowrider

JimKW, as a fellow Volvo Turbo owner, I'll be the last to question your vehicle tastes. I pulled a 2500 lb. boat and trailer 4500 miles round trip a few years ago with an 88 Turbo and it availed itself very nicely. Where you may experience issues is at boat ramps where your front wheel drive will not be working to your advantage, especially if it's wet or 2 degrees too steep. I held my nose and bought an Astro van for my 19 foot Sea Ray. Don't underestimate the amount of grunt required to pull a boat and trailer out of the water and up a ramp!

 

[JimKW]

Re: New Guy Looking to Buy a Used Bowrider

Well actually I own three Volvo's. A 98 V70 GLT, a White 97 850 R and the cream of the crop a Yellow 95 850 T5R (one of only 187 brought into the US).

I just went out a looked at some boats and trailers and it looks like I could find a pretty nice size boat and trailer at around 2700 lbs. dry weight. It was an 18' Tahoe with a 3.0L 135HP four cyl motor. They had another one that was 19' with a 4.3L six in it that only weight 40 lbs more, but cost $3,000 more.

The owner's manual says I can tow 3300 lbs with a 2" ball and brakes on the trailer. So I will NOT go over 2800 dry weight and would really like 2500 lbs or less. Guess I should have kept the Suburban that I practically gave away when the gas prices started sky rocketing and it just sat in the driveway.

 

[KurtG]

Re: New Guy Looking to Buy a Used Bowrider

Just remember that the trailer and vehicle passengers generally count as weight too towards the towing limit.

Even the 17 Glastron went 2335 lbs dry per NADA. I got to think with a trailer you are close to 2800 right away with no gear, fuel, or vehicle passengers.

 

[JimKW]

Re: New Guy Looking to Buy a Used Bowrider

Found a 2000 Stingray 180RS that looks like a nice boat for a fairly good price, asking $7495, but pretty sure I can getit for less. It's at a local marina and they are brokering it. The trailer does not have brakes, but he said they could be added to the trailer four about $600 and he has a guy that would put a hitch on my car for around $300. It would be $200 for me to buy the hitch alone for my car.

According to what I found on NADA the boat's net weight 2133 and the guy at the marina said he found it to be more like 2050 and the trailer is around600, so the total would be right around 2700.

Are Stingray's decent boats? They also have new Bayliner 180's that would be a little less weight, but a good bit more money. But is would be a brand new boat. Never been a fan of Bayliner, but that's from the 80's and not the newer ones.