Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Towing a 17 montauk classic
Posted by jaemrich on 04/16/07 - 5:10 PM
#1
This $3 gas is killing me on the Land Rover (not to mention the repairs). I am curious if anybody has experience towing a 17 Montauk with anything less than a SUV? Rear wheel or front wheel drive?
Thanks!
Posted by bobhil on 04/16/07 - 5:47 PM
#2
Are you kidding if the gas price of $3.00 a gallon effects what you tow with, you need a new hobby. My primary boat 32 express with twin 325HP inboards drinks 30 gallons an hour--now add insult when in the Bahamas at $4.75 a gallon--NOW THAT HURTS
Posted by kamie on 04/16/07 - 5:49 PM
#3
Is the issue the amount of gas burned while towing or the amount burned by the SUV when driven for everyday use?
Posted by jaemrich on 04/16/07 - 6:00 PM
#4
it is the everyday driving. I only have to tow short distances (5 miles) to the ramp.
Posted by kamie on 04/17/07 - 1:03 PM
#5
I had a small car for everyday driving and I purchased a use Blazer for towing the Outrage. The Blazer gets run, maybe 300 to 400 miles a year total. I have upgraded my everyday car to a Highlander hybrid, it gets 25 to 30 MPG average for regular driving and 15 to 18 towing the Outrage. I am in the process of deciding to keep or sell the Blazer, the advantage for me of keeping it is the 5000 pound tow rating, so when I really have the boat loaded it's easier to tow with the Blazer.
My suggestion is get a cheap used truck to tow with and get a fuel efficient car for everyday.
Posted by jsneed on 04/17/07 - 2:20 PM
#6
When I had a Montauk, many years ago, I used to tow it around with a Chrysler Lebaron convertible. It did just fine....until one day when I was putting the boat in the water alone, it started backing down the ramp while I was pushing the boat off the trailer. Good thing I had the top down...!!!
It had no problems towing around for short hauls, but I was like you, within 2 miles of the ramp and 10 miles of the shop, so that was about as far as I would go. I don't remember what happened at the ramp, but I am pretty sure it happened because I got careless. If you see a really rust white lebaron go by....
Posted by jaemrich on 04/17/07 - 4:05 PM
#7
Lebarons are front wheel drive, right? Any problems pulling the boat out at the ramp?
Posted by jsneed on 04/18/07 - 1:59 PM
#8
no, and it was a really bad dirt ramp on the intracoastal. The lebaron was front wheel drive.
Posted by Ed Lim on 04/19/07 - 9:55 AM
#9
Hi, Maybe it's your vehicle. I've known 2 people that has owned Range Rovers:
they both sold them within 2 years. One bought a Tahoe and the other bought a
Tundra. I myself own and use a 2005 F150XL Supercrew. I get about 14-15+ mpg
average driving and 8-11mpg towing a 4100# trailer. When towing my Whaler
(1740-1900#) I get about 12-14mpg and when I tow my13' Sport(900#) I still
can average 13-14+mpg. Just this: your Montauk's tow weight is somewhere be-
tween 18-2100#,depending on how it's rigged(including trailer of course).Mileage
on such a light boat should not be such an issue.If it is, you have 2 choices: 1- get
a smaller boat or: 2- don't own a boat. You just have to decide. There are trade offs in everything we do in life. Good luck, Ed
Posted by Brad37 on 04/20/07 - 7:44 AM
#10
like the other guys i pull my "82 Montauk with a '94 cadillac sts (front wheel drive) has a transmission cooler and oil cooler and i drive up to 200miles (to the cabin) and as long as you change your fluids on a seasonal basis you should have no problems