1978 SeaCraft 23 open

[Ryank]

I'm curious as to how much this package would roughly weigh? my truck only has a 5k towing capacity. and am entertaining the idea of moving to a 23. thnks

[ocuyler]

Ryank,

I have this exact boat & trailer. I figure my weight right at 5,000 pounds. I tow her with a 2001 GMC with a 5.3 Vortec and (most important) a factory trailering package. The tow/haul button is teriffic.

I have also pulled it with our 1998 Safari V6 mini-van rated at 5,000 pounds and it pulls it reluctantly. My consern is always the oil and transmission temperatures.

I recommend a full size truck with 275 HP or more. I love towing a boat. The right tow vehicle is everything.

[John R]

Ryank - what kind of truck?

[LiveLine]

I have never weighed it, but I would also guess close to 5,000 lbs. The trailer does have brakes, and that makes a huge difference when trailering, especially stopping. The biggest problem may be the ability to pull out of a steep or slippery ramp.

[TUGBOAT]

G-80 Locking Diff (GM);Trans cooler;Oil cooler(helps);platform hitch (make sure BALL has correct weight capacity);correct tounge weight;
GEARS Higher the # Lower the gear- average approx 1000#'s towing diff.between the Gear #'s.
No Hills ! Flat Ground !All play a Factor in towing. Towing is easier than stopping !
Scream'n Reels'
Whata Ya'towing With

[Ryank]

$I have a new nissan crew cab with the tow package, ltd slip etc etc i only tow the boat 2 times ayear to the keys and the rest of the time it sits at my dock .

[ScottM]

Ryan,
I used to tow our 23 Sceptre with a '00 Chevy Blazer (4.3L Vortec, 3.73 rear end) rated for 5,600#. We only did this 2X a year, 8 miles each way from winter storage to marina and back on 30-35 mph side roads. I would not tow the boat on the highway at all, even with trailer brakes. Your Nissan is similar in size, tow capacity and weight to the Blazer and you could get yourself into some real trouble trying to slow down a 25-27' long rig weighing at least 5,000# on the highway. IMO I'd get a bigger truck for a 23, at least a Chevy/GMC 1500, Ford F150 or Dodge 1500. I now have an F150 w/5.4L Triton and it tows the boat effortlessly.

Like Capt. Brad said, the towing is easy, it's the stopping that's hard.

Just my $0.02.