What do you Tow with?

Well, I bought a Hobie 18 with much advice from this forum. But unknown to me at the time was that my transmission would fail on the way to pick it up in Western Colorado (dragged it back to Albuquerque anyway, what was I going to do, break my needed to be replaced transmission any more?). I managed to drive the 800 miles back this weekend and get the boat, but am now left without a vehicle to tow it with (I'm sparing you ridiculous amounts of details - like the fact I was stuck in Albuquerque for 4 days as they assured me day after day that it would be done tomorrow until I just rented a damn car and went home sans boat or car).

So, basically, I have a 1991 Hobie 18 that cost me $2,500, plus $2,500 in transmission work, cost of the trip (200 gallons of gas) and 8 days... and no way to tow it since my new transmission warranty does not cover towing and my other car is a 4 cylinder Nissan. I was curious what people around here tow their Hobies with?

1991 Hobie 18. fairly heavy tube trailer, cat box. No idea what the actual weight is but I can pick up the tongue with some effort by myself (I am not a large man, call it 160 lbs maybe?). It towed fine from New Mexico to Tulsa (in a Ford F-250) with the rewire job and new tires I put on it. Everything but the side running lights work just fine.

This thing is getting expensive already.

It is funny that anyone thinks a boat can be cheap. They are anything but cheap. Fortunately you've chosen one of the easiest on the wallet, but cheap? Take up hiking.

Hobie 16 with a 2002 Nissan frontier XE 4 cyl, rear wheel drive only. All the sailing gear in the bed and slugish as hell...even without towing or hauling the truck has the power of a go cart....jaajaja But It gets me sailing!!!

Ive even hauled my friends 18' motorboat out of a very very very steep ramp near by a few times with no problem....the slughishness is once Im on the freeway....

I towed the 16 I use to have with a '96 Honda Civic with an Auto. I towed a 1600 lb tent trailer with my PT Cruiser I just got rid of with a 5 speed. wore out the front brakes though. Any 6 cyl. should work. A Tiger weighs 397 with all the rigging and a trailer shouldn't weigh more that 500 lbs unless you have one that is severly over built

2001 Dodge 2500, Cummins H.O. diesel, 6 spd Manual. 245 HP, 495 ft/lbs. One boat isn't a problem

1998 Ford Windstar

2003 Honda Accord 4 cyl automatic, pulling our H18 on a Cooper trailer, galvanized frame, with a cat box. No passengers, just one person (me), some junk in the trunk, and on a warm summer's day, I held 60 mph with no trouble from London ON to Ottawa ON.

I could have gone faster, but there was no need to rush. Increased my fuel consumption by 12%, that's all. If it weren't for work ten days ago, we would have trailered down to the Nationals in Geneva NY. Why does work get in the way of sailing?

Enjoy your new H18.

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2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Bugatti Veyron. Trailer gets air at 127 mph.

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Hobie 18 with box & wheels, by a 1993 Dodge 3.3L & automatic, mini van. Take out the seats and it sleeps two. I still drive it all over as it's cheaper than the Dodge truck.

(blue peeling paint and all, my dealer thinks its an antique, I paint it with a brush).

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

Both boats stacked with 1998 Ford explorer with a 2002 V8 motor in it. Tows happily at 75 and gets around 20mpg!

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Apparently my 6 cylinder Ford Taurus is no longer allowed to tow. I may have to look into that further, seems like it towed it just fine. Well, it had plenty of power anyway... the lack of a transmission turned out to be a long-term issue.

I pull mine with a 99 ford taurus. Never had a problem, pulls great. My tranny has it's problems but it was before I started pulling the boat. Only down fall in that it doesn't handle sand worth a crap if you have to use a beach access.

What do you mean by they are no longer allowed to pull?

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

H21SE on reworked H-17 trailer with homemade catbox and tongue box (HDepot) towed by FJ Cruiser. Great ride.

Volvo XC70, lots of room in the "trunk" and AWD for good traction. I get 19mpg average with the Hobie behind.

Your Taurus should tow the cat just fine, check the owners manual for the max gvw pulling wt. There's lots of guys pulling cats with small cars. You may have had tranny trouble before and didn't realize it. Even my Pontiac 4cyl Vibe auto has really no problems. With smaller cars it might be good to put a tranny cooler out front, a lot of tranny's self destruct if they get to hot.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.