Biggest boat?

Yahooligan · 06-23-2009, 06:19 PM

So, I have a dilemma. I have no idea how much boat I can tow since, apparently, the stated dry weights aren't very accurate.

The "perfect" boat so far is an '00 Four Winns 268 Vista (Cabin cruiser, 26'). Stated dry weight is 6400lb. I'm thinking boat + trailer + options + gas puts it at 8700-8900lb.

I saw someone else posted in the "What do you tow???" thread that they tow a 26' Chapparal that was a very similar design and size and they had no problems.

So, what say ye? Yay or nay?

Here's the same model boat but not the one I'm looking at. Oh, and the one I'm looking at has a radar arch.

**DeadRiver** · 06-23-2009, 06:26 PM

well, don't look at my sig pic as a "good" idea for a regular tow.

you're pretty accurate about the dry weights being some what conservative. oddly enough your best resource for info will be either a current owner or some one well versed with the model you are looking at.

do you have big tow?

Yahooligan · 06-23-2009, 06:36 PM

Yeah, I'm 4x4 with BT. Typical tows will be on relatively flat freeways and roads within an hour of home with an occasional 400 mile trip, also on relatively flat highways here in California. We're looking for a 25'-27' cruiser and this falls right in between, plus it's got the layout we want, the engine I want, and the goodies...and the right price, though saddly I doubt it will be around when we're ready to buy in a few months. We're trying to get an idea of what a realistic option is for us and whether or not this is "too much" boat for the Titan. Gas tank is only 85 gal and holds 20gal of fresh water, so I could save about 675lb of weight by simply waiting to fill up until at or near our destination.

Our current boat is in my sig and the Titan tows it like it's not even there, of course it's a little 21' v-berth but is pretty solid for what it is.

Hellasnow · 06-24-2009, 05:06 PM

i have a 00 190 four winns with a tower. we just got back from powell. i know it isn't to compairable but our boat weighs in at 2700 lbs trailer 920. as for gear we had 4 peoples worth of gear (tents, clothes, chairs and a ton o beer/alcohol, 7-8 cases of beer, 3-4 handles of alcohol) in the boat during the tow. 3 5 gallons of gas in the back of the truck as well as 2 ice chests full of food and drinks iced down. then 4 of us in the cab. drove 70-85 there and back no problems, and this was with 2 cracked manifolds. not sure where my weight was but thought this could help a little.

good choice on the four winns. we just happened to find a sweet deal on ours and turns out we've found it's one of the top boat company's and have zero complaints about four winns.

BTW we are 4x4 with Bit tow as well, running 35's.

Yahooligan · 06-24-2009, 05:20 PM

Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure where Four Winns landed in the ranking of boat mfrs but so far it looks like people have good things to say. We were surprised to find this boat at this price, so it made me wonder. I will never own a Bayliner, Sea Ray is iffy. Crownline, Wellcraft (Well hello, I have one now and it's built well), Ebbtide...I'd consider those to be good brands as well, so I'll add Four Winns to the list.

You have no idea how much I/we want this boat or a boat like it *NOW*. I was looking at pics from and activities to do at Catalina and just can't wait to cruise out there, moor in one of the bays, and just relax on the island and in the water. Life doesn't get much better.

FLA-Titan · 06-25-2009, 11:22 AM

Better not guess, take it to a truck stop and get it weighed. Usually cost's $10 for three weight readings. Get the boat/trailer weighed unhitched, boat/trailer weight hitched with truck not on scale and then get the entire package weighed.

albonismo · 06-25-2009, 11:26 AM

^what he said. other drivers that play the guessing game with towing makes me uneasy.

Yahooligan · 06-26-2009, 08:46 PM

There aren't really any scales nearby.

Anyway, pretty much a moot point now. I'll likely be trading the Titan in for a new '09 Ram 2500 with the Cummins, hard to beat the deals going on right now and then I'd definitely have plenty of truck for the boat.

Anyone want to buy a low-mileage, super clean 05 SE CC 4x4?

12glocks · 06-26-2009, 09:49 PM

Your truck will pull it. The question is the tongue weight?

I noted that DeadRivers boat has a tri-axle trailer which would help take some tongue weight off.

If it were me (sitting on a 05 that is paid off or almost paid off, I would try it out and see what you think. That way you don't have to pay for a new boat and a new truck at the same time. If you are paying cash, hell, buy both. A slip fee would be cheaper than a new truck payment as well.

Yahooligan · 06-26-2009, 10:01 PM

Well, the general concensus is that the Titan technically can tow it, but everyone says only for short distances. Primarily safety and overworking the truck.

I love my Titan, but it's becoming too restricting. This is the second...no wait third...time we've had to reconsider what we want to haul.

1) FIL's cab-over is too heavy and too long, even though it's for a short bed. Free camper!
2) The TTs and 5ers we liked were either too heavy on the tongue or in general
3) The size boat we want is pushing the limits

I think I've already made up my mind, it's just a matter of making the numbers work out the way I want. We'll see...

**loufish** · 06-26-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

I love my Titan, but it's becoming too restricting. This is the second...no wait third...time we've had to reconsider what we want to haul.

...because it's only a 1/2 ton, not because it's a Titan...

Yahooligan · 06-26-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

...because it's only a 1/2 ton, not because it's a Titan...

Indeed, if there were a 3/4-ton diesel Titan I'd be all over it.

SWM · 06-27-2009, 12:31 AM

I think dropping a Cummins in a titan sounds nice lol, even though you would have to upgrade alot of other stuff to tow more it would still be fun. Speaking of Cummins I had a Black Dodge 2500 Megacab blow by me today doing probably 110 at least. It was lifted around 6-8 inches and looked good and that thing was haulin ***. Guys with dodges make me mad lol they put $500 into a chip and gain the same power as i would putting $5000 into my engine and tranny

But its ok everybody around here has a dodge and nobody has a lifted Titan but me....and another guy lol

Big-e · 06-28-2009, 12:02 PM

If I had a chance to get a boat like that one the Titan would have to tow it & like it!