1978 SeaCraft 23 open

[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.

[TUGBOAT]

Hi Here's Your delima' Your pulling a Boat & Trailer that weighs the same if not more than Your truck.The brakes are designed to stop Your Truck.Trailer brakes will assist Your stopping ability.The only problem is on The "Trail" or Krome You won't have much WARNING of that STOP ! Especially if a Gator or Panther decides to cross in front of You.I pulled My 20' with a '94 s-10 blazer 2dr.& Yes I could pass Ya @ 60 mph.I have gone thru traffic a light with the horn blow'n & Me a waving Brakes a work'n(i was doin 45-50 at the start of the stop). Hook up to one look in Your RearView Mirror .That outta scare the *@$%*&^ Out ya !!I've seen Smaller rigs towing bigger boats soooo!
Scream'n Reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Miles Offshore]

I recently pulled my 23 inboard with my Toyota Tundra, 4wd,trd,tow package all that, rated to tow 7200 lbs. I towed it from the boat ramp to my house then back. One way about 15 miles. Yes it towed it fine but that big assed boat behind me didnt give me that warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach. Lots of folks around my way tow here to Oregon Inlet NC(1.5 hrs) as well as Hatteras Inlet (3 hrs)and there is no way in heck that I would tow mine with the tundra that distance. Not that I dont think it wouldnt do it but I just wouldnt feel safe. And if that baby ever came unhooked or anything like that there is no doubt in my mind what might happen. No thanx for me !!!! A 350 Burban would be a different story though!!!just my .02$ - craig

[John R]

Wrong truck for the load - unsafe. First thing that will happen is that a smaller boat - say 20-21 feet will start walking that compact at hgighway speeds. You put a much heavier 23 with a heavier hull, heavier motor, more fuel, heavier trailer, and more gear ('cause it fits) and you have grossly exceeded the capacity of the truck. Noe you add the fact that the boat/trailer pkg is now significantly longer than the tow vehicle - you are no longer driving - the boat behind you is.

Just need a longer whhelbase, more truck and much more brakes

[Jon G]

JOhn R is on the money, when I bought my 20' I figured my Toyota 1 ton work truck would be plenty to pull it, boy was I wrong the boat drove the truck, I wound up bying my neighbors 1976 Chevy Blazer just to to the boat with. I only tow about four miles to the ramp and back but its in heavy summer traffic. Two weeks ago I was doing 30-35 mph on a 40 mph road in light traffic when a car pulled out in front of me and then stopped right in the lane directly in front of me. I came to a tire screeching halt six feet from this guys car rattled beyind belief. If I didn't have a full size truck or I had a heavier boat on the back there would have been a big mess. Smaller trucks can pull the bigger boats but the only thing that counts is the amount of weight on the tires of the tow vehicle thats stopping the boat. Be safe out there. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[LiveLine]

Boat has been sold....making arrangements for delivery. Thanks for a great site, and keep up the work.

[ocuyler]

All you need now is that new truck...