Trailering

rcnight · #1 10-26-2002, 06:40 PM

I'm a new member and a longtime SeaCraft devotee. I sadly parted with my 20 Seafari a few years back and now wish to corect my error. I had a single axel trailer with my 20 and was never too happy the way it pulled with a full fuel tank. I'm looking for a 20 or 23 cc this time around - or maybe another Seafari. I drive an 4.0 v-6 Explorer with a tow package. Could my Explorer pull a 23? Any comments? Oh, my the way - I have a 92 900s Saab convertible or a 16' Phantom flats boat to trade if anyone is interested?

EBEACH · #2 10-26-2002, 08:41 PM

RC,

I posted this in the "for sale" section. Don't know anything about it. Came across it while searching. As of 10/8 it was available.

20 Ft. Seacraft 350 O/B engine EVEN trade for smaller boat -
Elvis643@aol.com 14:54:27 08/26/02
Have a 20 Ft. Seacraft with 350 inboard engine, new starter,alternator and bildge pump. its a 1975 and the engine was overhauled in June 2002. All fiberglass, white with green trim, seats 4.ooking for EVEN trade for a 15-18 foot fishing boat with not less that 50HP outboard engine.I am in the fort Lauderdale area of Florida. Boat in water Ready to Go.Trailer
http://www.everythingboats.com/btsex...sexchange.html

JohnB · #3 10-26-2002, 11:55 PM

RC,
I am down the road from you on sr434 and I trailer 1-2 times a week to both the east and west coast with a 23 Scepter. Trailering isn't a problem, but get a real good alum. double axle trailer with good brakes and balance. I had mine custom made for my boat, (2,600 new), and it tows like a dream. The older 20 or 23 foot boats are just too big and heavy for a single axle trailer. As far a tow vehicle, I use an '89 suburban w/350 efi. The Explorer would probably do fine with the 20' and less than a 1/2 tank of gas, but I think you might have some difficulties with a full rigged and gased 23. Maybe someone else can speak for the explorer's towing capabilities. The good news is there are not a whole lot of hills in our neck of the woods.
Good Luck.

ychtcptn · #4 10-27-2002, 09:03 PM

This is an interesting thread. I am looking to buy a new vehicle with the hopes of one day towing a 23' and right now i can't afford more than an explorer size vehicle. Right now I have a Mountaineer towing my 18 Boston Whaler and it does fine, for the short tow, haven't tried it for a long ride yet. I would like to hear more vehicle boat matchups and estimates on the weight of a fully loaded 23.

ScottM · #5 10-28-2002, 01:52 AM

RC,
I have a 23' Sceptre and have towed it with my '00 Chevy Blazer (4.3 liter V-6). It's rated to tow 5,600#, but other than towing from the storage yard and back twice a year (8 miles one way, no highway), I wouldn't do any more than that. I have a dual axle trailer with hydraulic brakes, but still, the Blazer isn't big enough to safely tow the 23' any distance. JohnB does it right using a Suburban for a 23'. Your Explorer would be fine towing a 20' though.

Scott

Brian Rice · #6 10-28-2002, 05:22 PM

I personally would not tow a 23' with anything less than a fullsize pickup, suburban,excursion, etc. I have a 1973 23' I/O CC and tow it allot over the road and would not feel comfortable in anything less than my F-250 Crew Cab pick up. As far as the trailer it is dual axle w/o brakes at this time. We will have breaks on it for next season.

I would be more than happy to give anyone advise.We have done a fair amount of traveling.

ScottM · #7 10-28-2002, 07:08 PM

ychtcptn,
My 23' Sceptre weighs around 5,000# fully loaded - 225 Evinrude, 144 gal. tank, plus gear. I know I am pushing the limits of my Blazer, but the towing I do is on back roads at not more than 35mph, and typically early in the morning before traffic builds up. I only trailer the boat max. 3 times a season - drop it in for the season, haul it once for a power wash, and then haul it in October.
As far as your Mountaineer pulling the Whaler, since you have a V-8 I would think long distances would be no problem. I towed a 21' Hydrasport CC earlier this month (200 Yamaha, single axle w/brakes) about 75 miles each way and had no problems, although that boat was definitely at the upper end of my vehicles limits as far as being comfortable stopping in an emergency and controlling the trailer.

Scott

ocuyler · #8 10-28-2002, 08:44 PM

Hi,

My '01 GMC Sierra 1500 extended cab short box (Z71 5.4 vortex) is rated at 8000 pounds. The 23CC with 1/2 fuel weighs in at 6000 pounds with the trailer (I weighed it at a truck stop)with a tonge weight of 500 pounds. It's a load, but the tow/haul mode that delays the shifts into better touque ranges is sweet. It tows this rig nicely at 65 MPH with revs around 2500 RPM.

I towed this rig from Stuart, FL to Rochester, NY 1400 miles at around 11 MPG and enjoyed the trip. The key is to set up the trailer properly, as low as possible and securely.

The local Cadilac dealer let me test drive an '03 Escalade 1500 with a 6.0 Vortex (with the 23' in tow, believe it or not) and air adjust ride and found it basically the same. Not enough better to justify the $20,000 difference.

I wouldn't want to give up the carlike ride to move to a 2500, or the 19 MPG highway that the 5.4 offers. It's kinda the best of both worlds.

Of course, if somebody GAVE ME an Envoy XL (Suburban) Denali with 4 wheel steering and the 496 motor, I would reluctantly go ahead and tow with it.

Otto Cuyler
23 CC

Mark · #9 10-28-2002, 11:31 PM

I, like others, have found this thread helpful. Here's my question: I tow a 20CC with a V8 Grand Cherokee which seems to work out just fine. I don't have brakes on the trailer and stopping in a hurry doesn't seem to be a problem. Having never had trailer brakes, and planning on a new trailer once the boat refit is complete, is it something that is important if only towing the 20'? so many people have told me about the rust problems they've had with brakes.... thanks for your comments/mark

timd · #10 11-02-2002, 10:57 AM

Mark - definitely get a tandem axle with brakes. I restored my 20' CC and went from a single axle with no brakes to a tandem with brakes. I bought the loadmaster aluminum trailer, a real top-of-the-line trailer with stainless disc brakes, posi-lube hubs and torsion axles. It is incredible how much better this trailer pulls than the single.
By the way, I pull mine with an '02 Suburban LT with the 5.4L. I also tried to justify the Escalade, but couldn't. The Suburban is 18" longer, $16K cheaper, and gets 3 MPG better.