Trailering a SC 20 ft

[rhody98]

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.

[CaptLloyd]

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

[rhody98]

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

[Bigshrimpin]

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.

[ocuyler]

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.

[eggsuckindog]

Should be fine

[Bigshrimpin]

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.

[rhody98]

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.

[NoBones]

Aghhhh,
Just get one of these bad boys!
There will not be a ramp anywhere that will give you a
problem.

See ya, Ken

[rhody98]

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."