Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

As a sailor going over to the dark side, I have to confess that trailering a power boat is new to me. I started with perhaps an overly simplistic approach of looking at my Honda Oddysey with a FWD V6 and 3.6L engine, 3500 lb allowable tongue weight as being OK with a Seacraft 20 with boat motor and trailer (1600 boat + 700 trailer + 500 motor plus 400 lbs misc < 3500?). I may have just been relieved of a potential fantasy by a refreshingly honest SC 20 ft seller who suggested I might be in for trouble trying to drag the rig up a ramp at low tide in New England. Maybe I wont know till I try. Would appreciate some input here. All hope wont be lost, I will just have to switch to assumption I need a mooring and to borrow a truck twice a year.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

I've trailered my 20cc with a 2WD V-6 4-Runner without any problems in FL, I don't know the towing capacity, but it pulled just fine. Even made it up some fairly steep ramps at low tide without much tire slipage. You should be fine with 4WD, use 4WD-Low and go slow-or wait for high tide :rolleyes:

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

thanks for the post, actually its a front wheel drive (FWD).

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

The problem you'll have is getting up the ramp with front wheel drive. You'll be able to put the boat in . . . but getting out on a steep ramp is not going to be easy . . . b/c the tongue weight of the boat/trailer is going to lift the front wheels up in the air and give you poor traction.

The solution is to find a shallow ramp or get a POS 4.0L Jeep Cherokee for $1000.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

I pull my 20 with a classic 1965 Chevy C-10 with a L6 230 in-line 6 cylinder making 140 HP. It has a 3 speed column shift and single wheel drive. Common sense and care will always get you through.

You will do fine with the Odyssey.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

Should be fine

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

You'll definitely have enough power with the oddessy . . . but I personally think front wheel drive is going to be an issue on moderate to steep ramps. There's only one way to find out. I used to tow a little 14ft boat with a 97 jetta (FWD) and I had some scary times on slippery ramps.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

The issue you raise is my concern too, Big Shrimpin. Probably my best bet is to talk to some of the local boat dealers most familar with ramps here in RI.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

Aghhhh,
Just get one of these bad boys! :eek:
There will not be a ramp anywhere that will give you a
problem. :D
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/krn54/f650pu1.jpg
See ya, Ken

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

I found this post at another website that gives me some comfort, figured I'd post here in case its useful to another potential SC 20 owner w/ minivan.

"As far as minivans go, I always pull my boat up the ramp with a Ford Windstar without breaking a sweat. Usually don't even go over 1800 RPM. Traction is the issue, not power. Worst case, having someone sitting shotgun in the van help keep the right front wheel from spinning on a wet, slimy ramp. Dry ramp no problem at all. My boat on trailer with gear, fuel and one person in it weighs as much as 3900 pounds."

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

I tow my 20 with a toyota tocoma pre runner 2wd v-6 with no problems!

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

I towed a 16ft searay with a fwd caravan for many years. We had the occasional problem on wet ramps but nothing insurmountable. I'll bet you're fine. The worst of it was obviously coming in to the ramp while it was still very wet from an outgoing tide. High tide or an incoming tide was never an issue and even with the outgoing tide we never got stuck, you just had to be a little more careful with the gas.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

I would be curious too on how you make out. I recently puchased a '07 Odyssey for the extending family. I may chose to use it some times as the old Bronco is getting tired.

I am sure it will pull fine. I just think it needs some darker window tint so nobody sees us! :D

- Nick

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

Years ago before the SC, my father used to tow a Wellcraft V20 CC with a Chevy Celebrity V6. He never had a problem. Then again, he used the same ramp every weekend so he knew what to expect.

I bet the Honda will do just fine.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

As Scott said, you should be fine.

A guy on classicmako towed a 21 Mako from Florida to Boston with his wife's Odyssey. No problems.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

http://images.motortrend.com/classic..._side_view.jpg

I'm seriously considering swapping my lil' Jeep Comanche for one of these estate wagons with the LT1. The Roadmaster supposedly gets 25mpg HWY and is rated to tow 5000lbs.

http://photos-300.ll.facebook.com/ph...63048_9949.jpg

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

I had the Chevy wagon w/ LT-1. Very nice -powerful.
I seem to remember 17 mpg average.
Try to get one w/ the tow package - it includes sway bars & bigger tranny cooler.
Look out for the door windows - I think there is a problem w/ the tracks. I know one of my rear widows was messed up.
But all in all - a very nice Family Truckster!

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

Amen brother!!! :)

I pulled my old 20' Grady with numerous XJ Cherokees. That boat was 4500 lbs. loaded and even my '88 with 231K would rip it up out of the water no problem.

Get one with the 4.0, AW4 automatic, NP231 transfer case and Chrysler 8.25 rear if you can. Guaranteed 200K miles easy.

FYI - I bought a '91 XJ w/ 191K for $600, put 40K miles on it and sold it for $500. I did have to do new exhaust, alternator, brakes, tune up, etc. though. She'de light up the tires from a standing stop...without power braking. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...p/IMG_0008.jpg

This is my daily driver now. It's an '01 with the same drivetrain (aside from the spline count on the rear) as my '91.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...p/IMG_6009.jpg

FYI - Older Chrysler 8.25s had 27 splines. Newer ones (starting in the late '90s I believe) were 29 spline and are stronger.

That Jeep is so strong in 4-LO I wouldn't hesitate to try and pull my 25' Grady out...and that boat weighs 8500 lbs. on the trailer.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

Don't do it man. There's no cool factor in driving a wagon. But you chould change your board name to "BigPanels". :D

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

Hey! my wagon is cool! "course it's a modded WRX wagon, kinda a different beast.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

One thing that really helped on my Jeep Comanche was installing helper springs (hellwig). It ruined the regular ride, but really improved the performance of the trucks braking ability while trailering and over stability while trailering.

Re: Trailering a SC 20 ft
 

Great responses, Im done worrying about the trailering part w/ my soccer mom car and on to looking for a SC to buy. thanks folks.