Can I tow this monster?

[stopandstare]

So I'm looking at buying a boat, and was figuring I'd get an 18' runabout. Then I found a great deal on a '77 19' Cuddy Fiberfoam.

I don't know the weight of it, and I don't have any idea of what it would weigh. I'd rather not waste this guys' time going out and looking at it until I know if it's even feasible for me to be able to drag this thing out of the water when the time comes. I'm sure it'd be fine behind me on the highway, but could I pull it out of the water at the boat launch? Or would I burn my tranny up?

I drive a pretty much stock 1999 v6 SOHC Explorer.

Thanks!

 

[joker1457]

What gears do you have in the truck, how much does the boat & trailer weigh.

 

[stopandstare]

Okay, did some googling... My gears are listed as "D4" which apparently means they're the 3.73 LS. Honestly never knew I had LS until 10 minutes ago.

I don't know what the boat weighs, but I'd guess boat & trailer are probably anywhere from 2500-3500lbs.

Thanks! I've never toad anything bigger than a few hundred pounds in a small trailer, so I appreciate the help.

 

[kert0307]

You can always drop the truck into 4x4 low to pull up the ramp, just don't turn until you switch back to 4x4 auto.

 

[jrford]

truck should be fine.

a little off topic, just be careful with the old boat. . .hard to read but who makes it? I/O? or inboard? hard to tell.

You might know a lot of this but just in case . .
That trailer looks rusty from the pic, wheel bearings, if original its what 30years old it might be shot?
Also check the transom and floor, usually they are made of marine plywood but still rot?
Boat motor, better be in great shape, parts are very costly.
Same with the outdrive, check the rubber for cracks and dry rot, if it leaks there might be water up there and rust, expensive.
Also if its a '77, then it missed the Coast Guard mandate that after '84 all boats must float even if the hull is compromised, In other words it don't sink with a hole in hull, before 84 they go down like a rock.

sorry if you know all of this . . .i looked used a long time ago, decided against it.

 

[stopandstare]

Here's the full info on it:

1977 19' Fiberform cuddy cabin hardtop with full camper canvas with deep v hull. Boat has trim tabs, dual batteries with switch, vhf radio, porta potty, sink and ice box. Registration is current and bottom repainted last summer.
Has a freshwater cooled 302 Ford OMC that I started and ran this afternoon. Engine started right up and ran well. Newer exhaust manifolds.

Comes with EZ loader trailer with rollers and bearing buddies.

Everything works except the outdrive needs a new pinion shaft, water pump, and water pump shaft.

A little money to fix it up but once up and running this boat will be worth much more and great for fishing or crabbing in the straits.

$750 or best offer. Or possible trade.

Pictures taken summer 2009 and I have more if requested. I also have video of the engine running this afternoon.

The seller is a local Sherriff's Deputy. Still haven't seen it in person, but plan to go take a look at it now that you say I'll be able to haul it out of the water.

EDIT: I work with the President of the local yacht club, so I'll see if I can get him to go look at it with me.

 

[stopandstare]

sorry if you know all of this . . .i looked used a long time ago, decided against it.

I'm totally new to boats. Just yesterday I learned what transoms and stringers were. I appreciate your advice!

I'd love to buy a new boat, but I don't have the credit and can hardly afford $12,000+. My budget is really more like $1500, so I'm looking for a deal or a fixer-upper.

 

[jrford]

found a post,
http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=114577
seems like a nice boat. . .

but make sure you can STILL get these,
"Everything works except the outdrive needs a new pinion shaft, water pump, and water pump shaft."

On the wood (might fiberglass in which case it wouldn't matter), its the stuff under the carpet and floor, when you look in the engine compartment, look at the underside for Rot, mold, soft wood. . .type stuff.

I have a 3.5hp '57 johnson outboard, on a 12ft row boat, lucky they still had parts at one of the local marine shops, guy that helped me was older than the motor . . ..lol, but he know all about them. His rebuild recommendation, new water pump as they are rubber and rot, the coils where plastic and prone to crack with age, but mine sat for 30 years. Runs like a champ now, always on one/two pulls.
hope it helps.

back to your origanl question, from what i found maybe 4-5k lbs wet,
1999 v6 SOHC Explorer, 3.73's your close, you wouldn't want to tow cross country, . .couple times a year ok, keeping the O/D off should help.
might want to look into Trans cooler, r/r trans fluid,. . .

 

[stopandstare]

just looked around for an outdrive pinion shaft for an OMC and I think I'm starting to see why this thing is so cheap....Nowhere to be found....

 

[jrford]

just looked around for an outdrive pinion shaft for an OMC and I think I'm starting to see why this thing is so cheap....Nowhere to be found....

poor guy, nice boat and he can't use it. . .those outdrives are expensive to rebuild too. Around here in the great lakes the going price is about 1-2k. . .more than rebuilding a car motor. . .best to walk. Another thing even if you find the shaft, you know something is going to be next . . .'77 to old - imho

 

[stopandstare]

Well, I turned that guy down. The boat really is in pretty good shape, but that OMC outdrive is just too difficult to maintain.

I ended up getting a pretty great deal on a 16' fiberglass runabout. It just needs some outdboard motor work. I really would have liked something bigger that I could take out on saltwater, but oh well.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

I don't do this anymore. Bought a Lincoln Aviator to tow it BUT the X did well running North-South along I-5.

Definately get extra tranny coolers (I run 2 auxillary coolers) This 185 Sport and trailer are around 3500lbs.

I put the X in 4L to pull it out of the water. It pops right out!

 

[sdaviddr]

You know what "boat' stands for?

B ust
O ut
A nother
T housand

 

[bad5.0]

B.O.A.T... that is so true. i have a 88 chris craft stinger 202. i bought it with a blown 4.3 and swapped it out for a mercruiser 260. (350 small block chevy). for starters, re-geared it for a v8 was like $700 all said and done. New stainless prop for v8, $500. Just had to put new heads and gaskets on the top end of the motor, $600. all this work is price for jus parts, i do my own work on everything. luckly i have the mercruiser i/o set up, anything else isnt worth messing with. My 98 5.0 mountaineer pulls it with ease. its a 20ft fiberglass boat that weighs in bout 1800 lbs. Light and fast. 70 mph on gps... i shouldve bought a newer boat that was already running. Nothing but work on the boat all summer. more work than play, that sucks...