Most boat owners choose to have their own boat trailer instead of paying for expensive transportation
In such a case, crucial things are how much does a boat trailer weigh and do you have an adequate vehicle to tow it
Always check whether your boat trailer setup fits the required weight class since you need to match your vessel size with its capacity
In other words, you will need a 200 pounds (907 kg) heavy trailer for a kayak, but some sizable boats require specific models
In such a case, you will need a trailer weighing over 1,500 pounds (680 kg)
Table of ContentsHow Much Does a Boat Trailer Weigh?Boat trailer weightWhat Is GCWR?Trailer Weight by Boat TypeSummary
How Much Does a Boat Trailer Weigh?
Determining boat trailer weight is the first thing you should do before buying
It is necessary to match it with both your vessel and the vehicle you will use to tow it
The only way to know whether you have a vehicle strong enough to tow both a boat and trailer is to know their exact weight
Trailer weight estimates
Trailer length
Weight capacity
In most cases, trailers’ weight and capacity are directly proportional
The only exceptions are canoe or kayak trailers since their weight and capacity are identical
You should be aware that a larger boat doesn’t mean you need a trailer with a higher weight and capacity
Plus, you should keep in mind that the boat’s gear weight is never calculated in the given measures
Boat trailer weight
As you can guess, the boat trailer size will primarily depend on the boat size
You can use an online boat trailer weight calculator to get the rough estimation
However, the best option is to ask the manufacturer about all four boat weight types necessary to determine the best possible trailer capable of carrying it
It is the actual boat weight, without an engine and added liquids
Wet weight
This magnitude includes a standard-size engine and fuel weight besides boat weight
Be careful with this measurement, particularly if you plan to carry additional gear on the trailer
Gross vehicle weight rating (package weight) is the max load your trailer can carry
Besides an empty trailer weight, GVWR also involves:
You can find this number on the VIN sticker at the trailer frame
Sometimes, there is one more number, the MAX GVCC (max trailer capacity)
It is possible to calculate the empty trailer weight with a simple mathematical calculation:
GVWR – MAX GVCC = Empty trailer weight
For instance, your empty trailer weight is 950 pounds (431 kg) if the GVWR is 6,175 pounds (2,800 kg) and the MAX GVCC 5,225 pounds (2,370 kg)
Be aware that GVWR can vary, depending on added features, but legally towed load varies per state
In other words, the load you want to carry should be less than 2,000 pounds (907 kg) if your trailer GVWR is 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg) and its dry weight 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg)
Tongue weight
It is the static force that the trailer tongue exerts on the hitch
Tongue weight shouldn’t be over 10% to 15% of the GVWR if you have a traditional trailer with a ball-mounted hitch
So, tongue weight can max 300 to 450 pounds (136 – 204 kg) if your trailer is 2,000 pounds (907 kg) heavy and carries 1,000 pounds (4535 kg) cargo
Gross combined weight rating is the max weight of the loaded trailer and vehicle, including:
Vehicle weight
Loaded trailer
Boat weight
Boat weight
Gross vehicle weight rating is the max weight that includes your vehicle, cargo, and passengers weight
It is possible to calculate the maximum allowed loaded trailer weight with a simple mathematic calculation:
GCWR – GVWR = Max allowed loaded trailer weight
You need to know all these numbers to calculate correctly whether your vehicle can tow your new boat
If not, you will need to buy a smaller vessel or a more sizable truck
You can buy a single-axle trailer for a boat less than 23 feet (7 m) long and weight under 3,300 pounds (1,497 kg)
More sizable vessels require a trailer with two or three axles to provide more safety and stability
Trailer Weight by Boat Type
As you can see, finding a suitable boat trailer is an important but pretty challenging task
You can roughly combine particular boat types with adequate trailers by classifying them into four groups to make things less complicated
In this group, you can find trailers for:
These small vessels’ dry weight is 800 to 1,000 pounds (363 – 4535 kg), so you will need only a small, single-axle, 200 to 400 pounds (91 – 1815 kg) heavy trailer
In this group are most fishing boats, like:
These vessels need to have a sizable storing space for fishing gear so that you can expect a higher weight capacity
Their average weight is 1,000 to 3,000 pounds (4535 – 1,361 kg)
The best option for such boats is a single-axle trailer weighing 300 to 600 pounds (136 – 272 kg)
You can tow it with a truck, SUV, sedan, or minivan
Trailer weight in line with the boat and towing vehicle
Boat type
Boat dry weight
Trailer weight
Trailer weight
Trailer weight
Recommended tow vehicle
Jon boat, canoe, kayak, PWC
Truck, SUV, minivan, sedan, or compact
Truck, SUV, minivan, sedan, or compact
Pontoon, saltwater fishing boat, ski boat, and motorboat
Single-axle, 500 to 600 pounds (227 – 272 kg)
Single-axle, 500 to 600 pounds (227 – 272 kg)
Single-axle, 500 to 600 pounds (227 – 272 kg)
Truck, SUV, or minivan
Bay and ski boats
Tandem-axle, 800 to 1,000 pounds (363 – 4535 kg)
Speed boat, sailboat, and cabin cruiser
Triple-axle, 1,300 to 1,600 pounds (5895 – 726 kg)
Heavy-duty truck or large SUV
Heavy-duty truck or large SUV
You will need a large trailer with a tandem axle in this case
It needs to have an imposing capacity to carry these sizable, approximately 4,000 to 6,000 pounds (1,814 – 2,721,5 kg) heavy boat types
The required trailer weight should range from 800 to 1,000 pounds (363 – 4535 kg) in this case
Therefore, you will need a heavy-duty truck or large SUV to tow it safely
Only the most sizable boat types come in this category, such as:
Speed boat
Since they are 7,000 to 10,000 pounds (3,175 – 4,536 kg) heavy, you should use a heavy-duty truck or large SUV to tow them
As for the trailer, you will need a triple-axle, massive model weighing 1,300 to 1,600 pounds (5895 – 726 kg)
Keep in mind that the boat and trailer combined weight can go up to 15,000 pounds (6,804 kg) in this case
Therefore, you need a sizable vehicle for towing them and safety chains to provide secure fastening without the possibility of swaying
Once you decide to tow your boat, you need to check the weight of the boat trailer you want to purchase and align it with boat capacity and size
Never use average dimensions since your vessel may go beyond those presumed parameters
A better option is to do the math or ask a local boat dealer for advice
12 Best Bass Boat Brands In the World
The weight of a boat can vary a lot mostly depending on the length of the boat and the materials used for the boat
There are also many other factors such as size/amount of engines, size of the fuel tank, amount of gear on board, size of the cabin, and much more
However, if we generalize based on length: small boats that are 17-22 feet weigh around 1,600-3,200 pounds
Boats 23-27 feet weigh around 3,600-4,800 pounds
Medium-sized boats 28-35 feet weigh around 5,800-13,500 pounds
And large boats 36-45 feet weigh around 15,500-29,000 pounds
Boat TypeBoat Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)Fiberglass Bass Boats1,800-2,900500-1,200Aluminum Bass Boats1,100-2,650500-1,200Bowriders2,000-10,350800-2,300Pontoon Boats1,500-3,350950-1,900Sit-down Jet Skis650-1,000200-300Stand-up Jet Skis300-550200-300Ski boats3,195-3,5501,100Wake boats4,300-7,3501,100-1,900Deep V Fishing Boats1,350-2,800500-1,100Small Center Consoles (16′-25′)1,570-6,300500-1,650Large Center Consoles (26′-40′)7,100-21,7001,700-2,000+Small Sailboats (15′-25′)400-5,000500-1,800Large Sailboats (26′-40′)6,000-30,0001,700-2,000+Cuddy Cabins2,000-5,300800-1,800Small Cabin Cruisers (30′-40′)11,100-25,200NALarge Cabin Cruisers (41′-50′)27,000-46,800NASmall Yachts (55′-70′)87,000-150,000NALarge Yachts (75′-90′)157,500-235,500NABoat weight is referring to the wet weight of a boat (dry weight of boat plus engines, fuel, and gear)
However, If you want a more precise answer that considers lengths and material, continue reading to the “Boat and trailer weight based on the type and length of a boat” sub-heading
It’s important to note that boats made from aluminum tend to be around 300-1,500 pounds lighter than similarly sized fiberglass boats
Knowing boat weight termsFactors that go into how much a boat weighsBoat and trailer weight based on the type and length of a boatHow to weigh a boat?What are the best vehicles for towing boats?
Knowing boat weight terms
Before getting specific with all the different boat types, knowing these terms will help you understand the data better
If you’ve ever tried finding the weight of a boat, you’ll notice that manufacturers use a lot of different wordings
These may include dry weight, wet weight, curb weight, package weight, gross trailer weight, actual boat weight, and more
Dry weight
Dry weight
Dry weight is the most common weight statistic you will find on a manufacturer’s website that states the weight of their boats
It means the weight of a boat without any engines, fuel, water, or accessories
In other words, the weight of a boat straight from the factory
Some manufacturers may include engines in dry weight, but if they do so, they will usually tell you
Unfortunately, this number isn’t the number boat owners need; however, it’s usually the only number provided
I usually assume that the wet weight of a boat is around 300-1,500+ pounds more, mostly depending on the amount/size of the engines and the size of the fuel tank
Wet weight, also known as curb weight, is the weight of a boat including engines, accessories, fuel, oil, and any other liquids
It does not include the weight of passengers or cargo
This is one of the most important terms you’ll need to know for your boat as it will help you find your needed vehicle towing capacity, boat lift weight capacity, and other miscellanies things
Package weight/gross trailer weight
Package weight, also known as gross trailer weight (GTW), is the wet weight of your boat plus the weight of your trailer
This is the weight you need to know for towing
Most trailers weigh around 600 pounds for small 17′ boats to 1,900 pounds for larger 26′ boats
Most boats over 30′ are not trailerable unless you opt for an oversized load
Actual boat weight
Actual boat weight means the wet weight of your boat plus any equipment, people, or cargo on board your boat
If a lot of people are on board or if you have a lot of heavy fishing equipment, it will significantly raise the weight of your boat
Factors that go into how much a boat weighs
Besides the size of a boat, there are some other factors that go into how much it will weigh including:
Size of the fuel tank
Amount of water within the boat
Most of these are accounted for in the averages I’ve provided, but if you are trying to estimate the weight of your boat and you know you have an abnormally heavy or high quantity of these things, make sure to account for it
Boat and trailer weight based on the type and length of a boat
There are many different boat types, all of which have different weights
Below I’ve listed the weights, trailer weights, and gross trailer weights (wet weight of boat plus trailer weight) of many different boat types
Click on the boat type below to be directed to which one you want to see
Bass boats
Bass boats
Bass boats
There are two popular materials used to build bass boats, fiberglass and aluminum
Fiberglass is much heavier than aluminum, so I decided to split up the two in order to give more precise averages
On average, fiberglass bass boats weigh around 1,400-2,200 pounds
Aluminum bass boats weigh around 700-2,000 pounds
Their gear, fuel, and engines generally add another 400-700 pounds and their trailers generally weigh around 500-1,200 pounds
Average fiberglass bass boat weight by length
Average aluminum bass boat weight by length
Related Article: How Much Do Bass Boats Weigh?
On average, Bowrider boats weigh around 1,500-8,750 pounds mostly depending on their length
Pontoon boats
On average, pontoon boats weigh between 1,600-2,400 pounds (726-1,089 kg), including the motor
However, some weigh up to 5,000 pounds (2268 kg)
Pontoon boat trailers weigh between 1,000-1,700 (454-771 kg) pounds on average
Other weight factors to consider include gas, passengers, and gear
Related Article: Pontoon Boat Weight: Can You Tow Them?
This includes the jet ski’s weight plus the weight for fuel and gear
Check out the weights of every new jet ski on the market in this article: How Much Do Jet Skis Weigh?
(Plus Trailer Weight)
Ski boats
Ski boats
Ski boats
On average, ski boats weigh around 3,100 pounds
There aren’t many true ski boats on the market anymore as they are being taken over by wake boats, however here are the weights of the top 3 on the market
BoatLengthBoat & Engine Weight (lbs)Gear & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)MasterCraft ProStar20′3,3002501,1004,650Ski Nautique20′2,9452501,1004,295Malibu Response TXi20′ 6″3,1002501,1004,450
On average, wake ski boats weigh around 4,000-6,700 pounds
Their gear and fuel generally add another 250-600 pounds, and their trailers weigh around 1100-1,900 pounds
Length (ft)Boat & Engine Weight (lbs)Gear & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)204,0003001,1005,400214,7003501,2006,250225,3004001,3007,000235,5005001,4507,450245,8006001,6008,000256,5006001,8008,900266,7006501,9009,250
Deep V fishing boats
On average, aluminum deep V fishing boats weigh around 1,000 to 2,100 pounds
Their engines, gear, and fuel generally add another 350-700 pounds, and their trailers weigh around 500-1,100 pounds
Fiberglass equivalents generally weigh 400 more pounds
In general, center console boats weigh between 1,100 and 8,500 pounds depending mostly on their size
Their engine, gear, and fuel add another 470 to 2,000 pounds, and their trailers weigh around 500 to 2,000 pounds
Length (ft)Dry Weight (lbs)Engine, Gear, & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)161,1004705002,070171,5005506002,650181,9007008003,400192,1008009003,800202,5009001,1004,500212,8001,0001,2005,000223,1001,2001,4005,700233,8001,6001,5006,900244,0001,7001,6007,300254,4001,9001,6507,950265,0002,1001,7008,800275,9002,4001,80010,100286,1002,6001,90010,600296,4002,8001,95011,150307,2003,0002,00012,200328,8003,400NANA3410,0004,000NANA3613,4004,900NANA3814,3005,200NANA4015,5006,200NANANote that these are all averages between 4 different models at each length and there are more factors besides length that will determine the weight of a center console boat
Related Article: How Much Do Center Console Boats Weigh?
There are many different lengths and types of sailboats including both single-hull sailboats and catamarans
So their weight of them changes drastically depending on the exact make and model
On average, cuddy cabin boats weigh around 1,500-4,500 pounds mostly depending on their length
Their gear and fuel generally add another 500-800 pounds and their trailers generally weigh around 800-1,800 pounds
Their gear and fuel generally add another 500-800 pounds and their trailers generally weigh around 800-1,800 pounds
Their gear and fuel generally add another 500-800 pounds and their trailers generally weigh around 800-1,800 pounds
Length (ft)Dry Weight (lbs)Engine, Gear, & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)161,5005008002,800171,6505508503,050181,9006009003,400192,2506501,0003,900202,9007001,1004,700213,1007001,2005,000223,4007001,4005,500233,6007501,5005,850243,7507501,6006,100253,9008001,6506,350264,2008001,7006,700274,5008001,8007,100
Length (ft)Dry Weight (lbs)Engine, Gear, & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)161,5005008002,800171,6505508503,050181,9006009003,400192,2506501,0003,900202,9007001,1004,700213,1007001,2005,000223,4007001,4005,500233,6007501,5005,850243,7507501,6006,100253,9008001,6506,350264,2008001,7006,700274,5008001,8007,100
Length (ft)Dry Weight (lbs)Engine, Gear, & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)161,5005008002,800171,6505508503,050181,9006009003,400192,2506501,0003,900202,9007001,1004,700213,1007001,2005,000223,4007001,4005,500233,6007501,5005,850243,7507501,6006,100253,9008001,6506,350264,2008001,7006,700274,5008001,8007,100
Length (ft)Dry Weight (lbs)Engine, Gear, & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)161,5005008002,800171,6505508503,050181,9006009003,400192,2506501,0003,900202,9007001,1004,700213,1007001,2005,000223,4007001,4005,500233,6007501,5005,850243,7507501,6006,100253,9008001,6506,350264,2008001,7006,700274,5008001,8007,100
Length (ft)Dry Weight (lbs)Engine, Gear, & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)161,5005008002,800171,6505508503,050181,9006009003,400192,2506501,0003,900202,9007001,1004,700213,1007001,2005,000223,4007001,4005,500233,6007501,5005,850243,7507501,6006,100253,9008001,6506,350264,2008001,7006,700274,5008001,8007,100
Length (ft)Dry Weight (lbs)Engine, Gear, & Fuel Weight (lbs)Trailer Weight (lbs)GTW (lbs)161,5005008002,800171,6505508503,050181,9006009003,400192,2506501,0003,900202,9007001,1004,700213,1007001,2005,000223,4007001,4005,500233,6007501,5005,850243,7507501,6006,100253,9008001,6506,350264,2008001,7006,700274,5008001,8007,100
Small cabin cruiser boats (30-40 feet long) weigh around 10,000-22,000 pounds
Larger ones (41-50 feet long weigh around 24,000-42,000 pounds
Their gear and fuel generally add another 1,100-4,800 pounds
There isn’t an exact standard that defines yachts; however, in this article, I am considering them to be any recreational vessel over 50 feet long
It’s hard to find averages of boats this big as they vary a lot depending on the make/model
However, my data below is an average of three different models within each length, so it should at least give you an idea of how much a boat around that length should weigh
Their gear and fuel add another 12,000-30,500 pounds
Length (ft)Boat Weight Without Fuel (lbs)Gear & Fuel Weight (lbs)5575,00012,0006091,00013,00065100,00017,00070128,00022,00075134,00023,50080145,00025,00090205,00030,500
Length (ft)Boat Weight Without Fuel (lbs)Gear & Fuel Weight (lbs)5575,00012,0006091,00013,00065100,00017,00070128,00022,00075134,00023,50080145,00025,00090205,00030,500
How to weigh a boat?
The most accurate way to weigh a boat is to take it to a truck scale
Make sure it has all the gear and equipment in it that you need to have and weigh it
Also, note the amount of fuel that is in the boat as well
Gas weighs about 6 pounds per gallon, and boat fuel tanks can hold anywhere from 15 to thousands of gallons
You can then subtract out the weight of the trailer (which can be found by either weighing the trailer separately or just estimating using my averages)
If you’re unable to do that, most manufacturers will have the weights listed on their website; however, you may still have to do some estimating for engine, gear, & fuel weight as well as trailer weight
What are the best vehicles for towing boats?
Making sure you are using a capable towing vehicle is crucial for the safety of you and others on the road when you are towing a boat
You can see a vehicle’s towing capacity by searching the make and model of the vehicle and then typing “towing capacity” after in the search bar
It’s generally recommended to have a vehicle that is capable of towing 1,000 more pounds than the total weight of what you are towing
So in this case, the GTW would be the total weight
Depending on how much your boat weighs, there will be different vehicles that would fit you best
However, below are a few popular vehicles used for towing boats:
Here are some popular SUVs used for towing boats
Can tow up to 7,800 pounds (V8), or 6,200 pounds (V6)
Chevrolet Suburban
Can tow up to 8,000+ pounds depending on the model
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Colorado
Can tow up to 7,000 pounds with the gas engine, and the diesel model adds around 700 more pounds of towing capacity
Can tow anywhere from 9,700 to 10,900 pounds
Can tow anywhere from 9,700 to 10,900 pounds
Can tow anywhere from 9,700 to 10,900 pounds
Can tow anywhere from 9,700 to 10,900 pounds
Can tow anywhere from 9,700 to 10,900 pounds
Can tow anywhere from 9,700 to 10,900 pounds
Can tow anywhere from 9,700 to 10,900 pounds
Jet skis are my favorite, but I love to go fishing or just relax on the beach on any type of boat
I am so glad that I can use this platform and share all of my tips and tricks for everyone to see
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There are so many different types of boats out there in all different shapes and sizes
For many who research for boats, it can be difficult to find details on weights for different types of boats to know whether or not it is towable
I did some research into many different types of boats to find out what the average weight of each boat type is and to determine just how towable each one really is
Boat TypeAverage (dry) Weight What Will Tow It?Ski Boat3,500 lbsTrucks and SUVsSpeed Boat8,000 lbsTrucks Small Fishing Boat1,700 lbsTrucks, SUVs, CrossoversSailboat8,800 lbsTrucksDeckboat or Pontoon3,100 lbsTrucks and Big SUVsCabin Cruiser8,700 lbsTrucks*PWCs 850 lbsCars, Vans, Trucks and SUVs
Keep in mind that these average weights are the dry weight of these boat types
The weight of fuel the fuel, trailer, and other accessories can add up to 2,000 lbs to these average weights which can highly impact their ability to be towed
In this article I will go over wet and dry trailer weights and how big of an impact they make
Continue reading to dive into the details of each of these types of boats with multiple examples of various makes and models of each one
You will better understand the weight of each and every type of these boats and to what extent they are towable
25 Examples of Boats – Can They Be Towed?
In the examples below I have included boats of all shapes, sizes, and purposes to give a good variety and to show how the influence that weight has on each one
Keep in mind that these are the average dry weights of the boats
Further down in the article I will discuss what wet weight is and how it will make an impact on the average boat’s weight and ability to be towed
Wet weight and trailer weight can make a sizable impact on a boat’s total weight and ability to be towed
Ski Boats – Average Weight 3,500 lbs
1 2017 Malibu Wakesetter LSV23 – 3,400 lbs
2 2017 Mastercraft Prostar 20 – 3,000 lbs
3 2017 Tige RZR 20 – 3,100 lbs
4 2017 Malibu Wakesetter 24MXZ – 4,800 lbs
5 Malibu Response 21 – 3,100 lbs
Ski boats have become immensely popular in the last couple of decades
Ski boats are boats made specifically for fun times on the water
They usually come with racks to hang boards and are designed to pull people on the water all day long
The average weight that I found for Ski Boats was taken by the weights of Malibu, Mastercraft, and Tige boats
Depending on the make and model of the ski boat that you find some can weigh as little as 2,000 lbs while larger ones can get up to 6,000 lbs
However, for the most part, the grand majority are somewhere in the 3,000 lbs range
Despite how heavy or light the speed boat is just about all of them lie in a weight range that can easily be towed
They are commonly and easily towed by all types of trucks and most SUVs
Both larger and smaller trucks can haul any speed boat without any problem
Larger SUVs also have no problem towing this type of boat
If the boat is smaller than most, mid-sized SUVs can even be used for towing it
Speed (Cigarette) Boats – Average Weight 8,000 lbs
6 Cigarette 38 Top Gun – 9,000 lbs
7 32 Thunder Cat – 5,400 lbs
As you can see in the graphic above speed boats are sleek and made to be as fast as possible
Speed boats aren’t made or really even designed for water sports and are mainly just purchased for the thrill of the ride
Many types of speed boats are referred to as cigarette boats because of their sleek outer appearance
The average weight of speed boats is around 8,000 lbs
This average was taken from a big group of different makes and models
Speed boats vary quite dramatically in weight
Some are huge and weigh a lot due to their powerful engines and long boat structure
Through some research you can find speed boats that are quite a bit lighter or heavier than this average depending on your needs
Yes, most trucks and the top-notch SUVs can tow speed boats with ease
Some of the smaller speed boats like the Thunder Cat listed above can get into the 5,000 lb range and can be towed by even the smaller trucks and mid size SUVs
Fishing (Bass) Boats – Average Weight 1,700 lbs
9 Bass Cat Jaguar – 2,150 lbs
2017 Nitro Z18 – 1,700 lbs
2018 Tracker Pro 170 – 878 lbs
2017 Tracker Pro Team 175 TF – 1,010 lbs
Fishing boats, commonly called bass boats, are designed specifically for fishing
They are not made to hit high speeds or pull people on a wakeboard for example
This average was taken by the weights of some of the top fishing boats on the market
Weights for fishing boats can vary a lot, but they usually don’t get any larger than 2,500 lbs or lighter than 800 lbs
For the most part, they weigh in at a nice, light 1,700 lbs
Fishing boats are extremely light compared to the other types of boats on this list
You don’t even have to worry about towing them at all if you have large or mid sized trucks or SUVs Depending on if the fishing boat is smaller than average, even the smaller SUVs can tow it around!
Deck Boats and Pontoons – Average Weight 3,100 lbs
Stingray 212SC – 3,100 lbs
NauticStar 193 SC Angler – 2,100 lbs
Hurricane SunDeck 2690 – 4,475 lbs
Deck boats and Pontoons are technically different on paper, but they are very similar in look and function
This average was taken from the weights of 10 different Deck/Pontoon boats
For the most part all of them weighted about the same, not straying from being over 1,000 lbs heavier or lighter than 3,000
These types of boats are easily towable by most vehicles
All trucks and bigger SUVs have no problem with the towing
Mid-sized and can also tow these boats just fine
It may be best to avoid towing deck/pontoon boats with smaller SUVs as they might not be able to handle the weight
Sailboats – Average Weight 8,800 lbs
Sunfish – 120 lbs
C&C 27 – 5,180 lbs
C&C 27 – 5,180 lbs
Ericson 285 – 7,500 lbs
Pearson 39 – 17,000 lbs
Swan 48 – 36,000 lbs
Sailboats are boats that are propelled by sails
If you are shocked by how high the average weight is for sailboats, don’t worry, I was too at first!
The weight of sailboats varies drastically, more than any other type of boat on this list
Some sailboats can weight as little as 120 lbs, while others can weigh up to 36,000 lbs!
The average on this list was taken from a large list of some of the most commonly used sailboats, big and small
Being able to tow a sailboat completely depends on the one that you have
A large number of sailboats on the market weigh under 5,000 lbs and are easily towed by averaged sized trucks and SUVs Many Sailboats often get to the 8,000-12,000 lb range and can only realistically be towed by big heavy duty trucks
Some sailboats reach up to 30,000 lbs and can’t be towed by any normal vehicle
There are some trucks on the market that do claim to be able to tow 30,000 lbs of cargo, so if that truly is the case if you happen to have one of those towing a sailboat of this size is possilbe
Cabin Cruisers – Average Weight 8,700 lbs
23Bayliner 285 SB – 8,000 lbs
Larson 274 Cabrio – 6,000 lbs
25Rinker 301 Express Cruiser – 12,000 lbs
Cabin Cruisers are large boats that almost appear to be mini yachts
They are so big that inside the boat there are even sleeping accommodations, which is where the “cabin” part of the name comes into play
The average weight as listed above was taken from a large group of cabin cruisers of different makes and models
The weights of cabin cruisers also varies a lot depending on the size of the sleeping accommodations below
Yes, these boats are for the most part towed by large, heavy duty trucks and SUVs Some of the smaller Cruisers can be towed by average sized trucks and SUVs , but more often than not they require a lot of strength to move around
Personal Watercrafts (PWCs) – Average Weight 850 lbs
Personal Watercraft are often refered to as Jet Skis or Wave Runners
I understand that they aren’t technically boats, but I decided to add them on as a little bonus becuase many people who are into boating also like to have PWCs as well
The average weight of PWCs is about 800 lbs
They are very easy to find in different weights, shapes, and sizes to fit the needs of any buyer
PWCs are very light and are often towed in pairs
If one is towing a single PWC all trucks and virtually any SUV and be used
Towing two PWCs can still be done by any truck or most SUVs
Below is a list of three PWCs with their weights to show how much they usually weigh:
FX Cruiser HO Full – 838 lbs
Kawasaki Ultra 310 LX – 1,074 lbs
Truck and SUV General Towing Capabilities
In this article, I refer to trucks and SUVs of all shapes and sizes with their towing capacities to determine whether or not they can pull different boat types
It is essential to remember to only use vehicles to tow boats and weights that fall under their tow rating as it can be extremely hard on the vehicles mechanics if it tows more than it is supposed to
Here are some examples of common trucks and SUVs with their respective towing capacities
I also included which types of boats they can tow from my list
Truck/SUVTowing Capacity (lbs)Boats It Can PullFord F-150 (truck)9,000Any type from the listToyota Tundra (truck)9,000Any type from the listChevy Colorado (truck)7,000Ski, Fishing, Deck, Some Sailboat Ford Expedition (SUV)9,200Ski, Speed, Deck, Sailboat, some Cabin CruisersToyota Sequoia (SUV)7,400Ski, Fishing, Deck, Some SailboatsHyundai Santa Fe (SUV)3,500Small Ski, Fishing, Deck, Sailboats
Most trucks can tow up to 10,000 lbs without any struggle
Most of the smaller and mid-sized ones only tow about 5,000-8,000 lbs worth of weight, while the bigger heavy duty trucks tow anywhere between 12,000-20,000 lbs
If you get a heavier duty truck or even a large SUV, you should be good to go with just about any type of boat you could want
These larger vehicles are almost always equipt with a strong V8 engine that allows them to pull insane amounts of weight
Here is a video that goes over some of the best smaller sized SUVs for towing
SUVs obviously don’t have anywhere near the power that trucks have, but they can still tow to some extent
Depending on the SUV they can tow 3000-5000 lbs
Some of the newer SUVs are known to tow up to 9,000 lbs
When thinking about towing with an SUV be sure to do your research to make sure the car and its engine can handle the load
Other Weights and Information to Keep in Mind
A Boat’s Trailer Weight – The Biggest Impact
The weight of the trailer is what will make the largest impact on whether or not a truck/SUV has the capability to tow a boat
Trailers can weigh a lot, and a boat’s weight with the added weight of a trailer can make it too much for certain vehicles to handle
A typical trailer can weigh anywhere between 1,000-1,600 lbs
This is a lot of extra weight, especially if your vehicle would already be pushing its towing limits with the dry weight of the boat alone
When researching different types of boats with their weights to see if your vehicle can handle towing them, add on average about 1,500 lbs to their dry weight to account for the weight of the trailer
Here is a helpful guide for how much your vehicle can tow
This is a very detailed guide on vehicles across the whole vehicle spectrum with tons of information on how much each one can tow
Dry vs Wet Weight
If you don’t know what dry or wet weighs are, don’t worry!
It is important to know the difference between the two to be able to know the more accurate weight of your boat and if it is still able to be towed by certain vehicles
Dry weight is the manufactuer’s reported weight of the boat
This is the weight of the boat without a trailer, options, fuel, oil, gear, people, etc
Dry weight is the lightest version of the boat you will see
The wet weight of the boat is the boat’s dry weight with all of the fuel and other weights included, but not necessarily with people and accessories
Some of the significant things that aren’t included in the boat’s dry weight that are essential to keep in mind
Gasoline is 6 lbs per gallon
The average ski boat, for example, has a 60-gallon tank so that is an extra 360 lbs
Depending on what size boat you are looking to get, fuel can quickly become a very heavy investment
How to Determine the Actual Weight of a Boat
All the little things like life vests, coolers, boards, fishing gear, batteries, speakers, people, etc really start to add up and increase the boat’s weight a lot
Keep these little things in mind as you are towing the boat
I can’t give you a formula that will determine every boat’s exact weight because every boat and boat owner is different
Some boaters prefer to bring more people, or fishing equipment, or water toys along for the ride and that adds a lot of weight
I can, however, give you the weights of things that people usually have in their boats and a rough estimate of how much extra weight one can expect to have
Here is a list of items with their estimated weights that you will need to add to the boat’s dry weight
These will all provide the most accurate number to know if a vehicle can tow the boat or not
Trailer – 1,000-1,600 lbs (or even more for the really large boats)Tower 70-300 lbsStereo (amps, speakers) – 50-250 lbsGear (life vests, coolers, etc) – 100-500 lbsFuel – 240-450 lbs (this could be more or less depending on the size of the boat’s gas tank)Options (heater, ballast tanks, etc) – 50-450 lbs
An extra 1,500-2,200 lbs could be potentially added to the weight of your boat
Keep in mind that these numbers are a rough estimate, but should give you a good idea on how much certain things can impact your boat’s weight and ability to be towed
Some of the items on this list might not even be an issue for some boats, while other items might be taken into even more consideration
One of the things that you want to be sure of when you’re getting a used bass boat is that the motor doesn’t have an excessive amount of hours on it so that you can be sure that you’re going to get a good deal for your money
Here you can find out how to check the engine hours on a boat
Buying a boat is a big deal, and so it’s important to have a budget in mind of what you will spend because prices can skyrocket pretty quickly
In order to know that budget range though, one needs to know what the average cost of the boat will be
For any of you in the market for a bass boat, this article will give you 39 different examples of average bass boat costs