On a 17 ft Bayliner I had years ago I was able to lift the trailer tongue by hand to drain all the water out. On my 16 SC I cannot budge the tongue at all by hand. I think the rule is 10-15% of total for tongue weight so that would be over 200# on the tongue on a 16. Just curious if you guys with the smaller Arimas can lift the tongue by hand and if the 10-15% rule is correct. Thx
I agree with you, it's a heavy lift from the tongue. I got rid of my weights and bench and I now just lift the tongue of the boat :jester:
I can lift my 17 ranger with ease.
I think that 8 hp kicker makes it pretty tongue light.
In order to have a trailer stay hitched and track properly the tongue weight should be between 10-15% of total trailer weight...
Less will enhance the opportunity to lift off the ball, more will put undue burden on the tow vehicle suspension and braking system.
We are talking redundant safety systems here. If you want to rely on a single safety system when towing your boat, please let me know your route and timing to and from so I might avoid you.
Thank you
StreamFixer
As i've become older and the boats are bigger I only use the trailer jack and blocks. Since my driveway is now gravel there's no pushing the boat by hand anyway.
I don't even like the strain of turning the Jack handle. :beerchug:
I have a 3 car tandem garage. There's the two spots side by side in front, then one spot behind the spot on the right. I back the boat in the garage, drop it, then push it in it's spot. Like an inch on each side to get it in there but perfect spot for the little 16. Once it's in I have about a foot on one side of the boat.
I can lift the tongue on my trailer with some effort.
J.
Quote from: J Chaser on October 10, 2017, 03:30:10 PM
I can lift the tongue on my trailer with some effort.
J.
I can't budge mine not even a hair. Even with legs bent. So if the rule is 10-15% that would put the tongue at over 200#.
I can't lift my tongue and I wouldn't have it any other way. When I got the new trailer this took some time to get it just right. I purchased a trailer big enough for a 17 ft chaser so I had lots of room to play with the adjustment. I kept adjusting the crank stand forward until I could not pick up the tongue. I personally would be very nervous towing my boat anywhere if I could easily lift the tongue.
Ya, I agree. I'm just not used to it. To light a tongue would cause the trailer to want to jack knife. Also you wouldn't be able to hop in the boat without the see saw effect.
Quote from: Fisherdv on October 10, 2017, 03:37:26 PM
Quote from: J Chaser on October 10, 2017, 03:30:10 PM
I can lift the tongue on my trailer with some effort.
J.
I can't budge mine not even a hair. Even with legs bent. So if the rule is 10-15% that would put the tongue at over 200#.
Dev, you're supposed to unhook it from the vehicle first :doh: :clap: . Seriously, that sounds like too much weight. You have to be careful how much you adjust it though.
Dev, you're supposed to unhook it from the vehicle first :doh: :clap: . Seriously, that sounds like too much weight. You have to be careful how much you adjust it though.
That's funny.
I'm glad my tongue weight is on the heavy side.... the owner of the boat towed this boat over 300 miles with the tongue latch open :doh: Our jaws dropped when we saw that....he had other people hook the trailer to the truck while he drove the boat across the lake from the camp to the boat ramp - should have double checked it. I didn't think a ride that far would stay on...whew!!!!
But I am curious now and will check how heavy the tongue lift is...
I'd figure I toss this out there. This is my unscientific weighing of my trailer tongue from my SC16 : 200.2 lbs (jack wheel is off of the ground)
(https://i.imgur.com/suxqMGpl.jpg)
I figured about 200+. It just feels heavy on my GMC 1500 especially for a 16 ft boat. I'll have to weigh it. Thx for that AJ
Quote from: Croaker Stroker on October 10, 2017, 02:34:27 PM
I don't even like the strain of turning the Jack handle. :beerchug:
I was thinking this to, must be getting old! I can just lift it, but it makes my eyes bug out
Here's how to get my trailer high enough to drain water:
Chock the trailer jack wheel and all tires front and rear.
Raise the trailer jack up as far as it will go.
Place a piece of 4X4 vertically between the ground and the trailer tongue, doesn't have to be a tight fit, can be close to the hitch or rear of the jack, which is where I prefer.
Lower the jack so the trailer rests on the 4X4 then raise the jack wheel.
Place blocks of wood below the trailer wheel to almost touching the wheel.
Raise the trailer jack onto the blocks until the 4X4 falls out.
The boat should be raised high enough to drain all water.
I put a scale under my jack wheel on my 16SC and it's 276#. No wonder I can't budge it. I noticed it's a bit more difficult to brake with my truck. It kinda makes the boat seem heavier than what it really is while towing.What do you guys think? Is 276# too much tongue weight for a 16SC?
Quote from: Fisherdv on October 10, 2017, 08:38:14 PM
I put a scale under my jack wheel on my 16SC and it's 276#. No wonder I can't budge it. I noticed it's a bit more difficult to brake with my truck. It kinda makes the boat seem heavier than what it really is while towing.What do you guys think? Is 276# too much tongue weight for a 16SC?
Part of it depends on where your jack is located (how far away from the hitch it is). Just as a ball park though, the Arima catalog puts your boat at around 1900lbs with boat, engine and trailer. Let's call it an even 2000lbs with gear etc. for easy math. 10% of that is 200lbs and 15% is 300lbs. Since you are getting roughly 276lbs (not technically true tongue weight, but close enough) that puts you at 13%-14%. Granted, these aren't exact figures, but I'd say you are pretty good. The only way to know for sure is to get a scale weight for boat/trailer and use a tongue weight scale to get exact measurements.
Quote from: AJFishin on October 10, 2017, 05:12:34 PM
I'd figure I toss this out there. This is my unscientific weighing of my trailer tongue from my SC16 : 200.2 lbs (jack wheel is off of the ground)
(https://i.imgur.com/suxqMGpl.jpg)
I'm not sure by the picture but I think your scale is on the ground. I think tongue weight is supposed to be weighed at towing level.
I've seen 3-4 different weights for my boat given. Curious what the "true" weight is? But I did the same math you did for rounded figures and you are correct in that if the estimated weight is 2000 I'm still in the 10-15% tongue weight range. However I've seen sea trial charts for the 16 showing 2080 with no trailer. Not sure what the trailer weighs but probably 500-800#? That would put the boat, motor, trailer wet weight, gas and gear, batteries etc. about 25-2800#? :shrug9:
Quote from: Fisherdv on October 10, 2017, 10:17:44 PM
I've seen 3-4 different weights for my boat given. Curious what the "true" weight is? But I did the same math you did for rounded figures and you are correct in that if the estimated weight is 2000 I'm still in the 10-15% tongue weight range. However I've seen sea trial charts for the 16 showing 2080 with no trailer. Not sure what the trailer weighs but probably 500-800#? That would put the boat, motor, trailer wet weight, gas and gear, batteries etc. about 25-2800#? :shrug9:
If the boat weighs 2500lbs-2800lbs and your tongue weight is "around" 280lbs, you're still in the ball park. I don't know if you have one available, but we have a number of "closed" weigh stations around. The scales are still on and you can peak in the window to get your weights. I weighed my boat/trailer and each individual axle to see how everything was distributed and was blown away. Not only did it weigh WAY more than I thought, but it was distributed horribly with one axle taking all the load. I believe that everyone should weigh their boats and obtain tongue weights. The numbers may surprise you...
Quote from: gfakkema on October 10, 2017, 10:35:06 PM
Quote from: Fisherdv on October 10, 2017, 10:17:44 PM
I've seen 3-4 different weights for my boat given. Curious what the "true" weight is? But I did the same math you did for rounded figures and you are correct in that if the estimated weight is 2000 I'm still in the 10-15% tongue weight range. However I've seen sea trial charts for the 16 showing 2080 with no trailer. Not sure what the trailer weighs but probably 500-800#? That would put the boat, motor, trailer wet weight, gas and gear, batteries etc. about 25-2800#? :shrug9:
If the boat weighs 2500lbs-2800lbs and your tongue weight is "around" 280lbs, you're still in the ball park. I don't know if you have one available, but we have a number of "closed" weigh stations around. The scales are still on and you can peak in the window to get your weights. I weighed my boat/trailer and each individual axle to see how everything was distributed and was blown away. Not only did it weigh WAY more than I thought, but it was distributed horribly with one axle taking all the load. I believe that everyone should weigh their boats and obtain tongue weights. The numbers may surprise you...
:yeahthat: I think our boats weigh much more than what we are led to believe, especially wet, gear etc
Definitely. Arima's spec sheet shows a SL, engine (150hp), and trailer at 4600lbs. I tipped the scales at close to 8000lbs fully loaded with a 250hp.... Quite the difference!
Maybe I can convince the wife that I need a kicker motor ASAP to balance the tongue weight. :party:
Quote from: Kimbrey on October 10, 2017, 10:15:11 PM
Quote from: AJFishin on October 10, 2017, 05:12:34 PM
I'd figure I toss this out there. This is my unscientific weighing of my trailer tongue from my SC16 : 200.2 lbs (jack wheel is off of the ground)
(https://i.imgur.com/suxqMGpl.jpg)
I'm not sure by the picture but I think your scale is on the ground. I think tongue weight is supposed to be weighed at towing level.
It's an illusion. Actually it is on a make-shift platform that is about 20" off of the ground.
I wouldn't want any less tongue weight for your rig if it were me.
I'm sure it's ok, it just makes my 16 feel like I'm towing a bigger boat
Quote from: gfakkema on October 10, 2017, 10:49:21 PM
Definitely. Arima's spec sheet shows a SL, engine (150hp), and trailer at 4600lbs. I tipped the scales at close to 8000lbs fully loaded with a 250hp.... Quite the difference!
Wow! That is a big difference! My best guess is my 16 SC (current model), boat, motor, trailer, all in, ready to fish all day, weighs about 2700-3000#. Again that's just my estimate.
I suspect (including trailer weight) you are off about 600# +/- light. My 17SC (only a foot difference and all of that fiberglass) ran between 3500# and 3700# including trailer (about 600#).
StreamFixer
Dev, anywhere you can get it weighed? I know that when I brought my 19HT home I weighed it and, while hooked up to the truck, with main, kicker, full fuel tank and some misc. stuff, it weighed 3700. It was tongue light at the time. I can't see yours weighing anywhere near that. Only way we're going to know is if you weigh it.
I will have to weigh it to be sure. I just want to be sure it's an unmanned weigh station so they don't say "oh , while your here let's do an inspection" then tell me I'm required to have trailer brakes in California for trailer over 1500# after reading what Croaker posted about Ca. Law on trailer brake requirements and trailer weights.
1983 seahunter 2090 lbs stuffed with fishing and camping gear hooked up to my rig, weighed at an open weigh station.
Quote from: Dbobby23 on October 12, 2017, 09:06:07 AM
1983 seahunter 2090 lbs stuffed with fishing and camping gear hooked up to my rig, weighed at an open weigh station.
Sounds about right to me. In Oregon, if your trailer, loaded total weight, is less than 1800 you don't need a trailer license. I didn't have a kicker on my Sea Hunter and the total weight just squeaked under the limit. And I NEVER loaded it over 1800 :facepalm: .
Here's a good write-up on weighing your boat/trailer/tow vehicle. Figuring tongue weight. boat weight et cetera.
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/016667.html
I do have a tool that weighs tongue weight but getting it to anyone would be the hard part. Right at the minute it's in Westport and I'm in Tacoma.
Kim
Just checked the tongue weight on my 16 SC. About 190 lbs. Must be close to correct as I have no stability issues. On the highway, it seems like I could do a 100 without a problem.
Yat
Maybe when I add the kicker motor it'll take a few pounds off the tongue 👅
Yat, just curious have you had a chance to weigh your rig in the years you've had it?
Fisher, actually I haven't, but I believe the boat, motor and trailer (combined) are probably somewhere in the vicinity of 2400 to 2500 lbs. That's with a single group 24 battery, about 15 or so gals. of fuel and a moderate amount of additional gear.
Yat
I suspect my rig is around 1700 lbs. "in the water".
Yat
Quote from: Dbobby23 on October 12, 2017, 09:06:07 AM
1983 seahunter 2090 lbs stuffed with fishing and camping gear hooked up to my rig, weighed at an open weigh station.
You really need to weigh with the trailer off the rig. The weight you got, PLUS the tongue weight = real weight you are hauling.
Some of the 'un-manned roadside scales (at least in Oregon) are too small to weight the entire trailer. Pull up enough to unhook the boat with the tongue jack on the scale... weigh it, -- this is the tongue weight... rehook up and pull forward so the trailer tires are on the scale (leave hooked up as there is no reason not to) note that weight... add the two together for a total weight... Exact? not really, but close enough for our purposes...
StreamFixer
I can just barely lift mine on my 17 Sea Ranger. its somewhere above 200lbs. I wouldn't want it any lighter otherwise the trailer will start to ragdoll the truck.
GoodDays Greg
Really good advice/info here. There's probably a number of people out there that have no idea what their boat and trailer weighs, their tongue weight etc. I've seen people towing a large, tandem axle trailer doing 85-90 mph on the freeway. If I can give any advice to anyone who trailers a boat (small or large) would be to slow down, and most importantly, leave a good following distance. I know we can all get in a hurry to get the boat in the water for a good day of fishing especially when you've had too much coffee. :twocents:
I believe my boat, motor and trailer weigh around 2400 to 2500 lbs..............sittin' in the road........all by itself........tied to nothing. Consider the following:
Hull.............................1050
motor and prop..............250
battery and wiring............60
15 gal. fuel......................95
anchor and lines...............25
tools and spare parts.........40
misc. gear.......................100
trailer w/ walk boards.......700
Total 2320
Add one or two hundred pounds for whatever reason and your very close to what I've stated. We have this huge scale at the recycle facility in our town. No doubt the boys would let me put it up on there..........just not sure if it would be much different from what I currently believe.
Yat
Quote from: Yachter Yat on October 12, 2017, 02:33:38 PM
I believe my boat, motor and trailer weigh around 2400 to 2500 lbs..............sittin' in the road........all by itself........tied to nothing. Consider the following:
Hull.............................1050
motor and prop..............250
battery and wiring............60
15 gal. fuel......................95
anchor and lines...............25
tools and spare parts.........40
misc. gear.......................100
trailer w/ walk boards.......700
Total 2320
Now, add 80 to 100 for whatever and it seems as though this should be very close to what I've stated. We have this huge scale at the recycle facility in our town. No doubt the boys would let me put it up on there..........just not sure if it would be much different from what I currently believe.
Yat
If you were fishing/crabbing you could easily add a couple hundred pounds to that. Large coolers with ice, food drinks, fishing poles, reels, nets, crab pots, heavy tackle boxes/weights etc.
Quote from: StreamFixer on October 12, 2017, 01:09:43 PM
Quote from: Dbobby23 on October 12, 2017, 09:06:07 AM
1983 seahunter 2090 lbs stuffed with fishing and camping gear hooked up to my rig, weighed at an open weigh station.
You really need to weigh with the trailer off the rig. The weight you got, PLUS the tongue weight = real weight you are hauling.
Some of the 'un-manned roadside scales (at least in Oregon) are too small to weight the entire trailer. Pull up enough to unhook the boat with the tongue jack on the scale... weigh it, -- this is the tongue weight... rehook up and pull forward so the trailer tires are on the scale (leave hooked up as there is no reason not to) note that weight... add the two together for a total weight... Exact? not really, but close enough for our purposes...
StreamFixer
I am definitely aware I need to to detach to get an exact weight or add the tounge weight for ball park total weight. The official at the weigh station unfortunately did not want me doing that at that moment. I think I have around 160-200 lbs of tounge weight.
At the time I weighed the boat I was carrying a ton of camping gear. Chairs, stoves, propane fire pit, tents, 3 mtn bikes, giant 110 court cooler with 30 lbs of fish + weight of ice. I easily had 200 lbs of camping gear. so right there I can minus the camping gear from 2090 =1890 plus tounge weight 200 brings it right back to 2090.
On a pretty steady average I'm pretty sure my total weight even detached would be around 2100.
Of course my next mission because I want to know for sure now is to weigh it again detached at a closed scale.
Lots of closed scales around to help with this. When I need/want to weigh the boat, I always seem see a lot of them --- unfortunately in my rearview mirror... :doh:
StreamFixer
Might ask her to help you lift it... :wink: