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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Average Bass Boat and Trailer Weight With Examples
Buying a new boat is exciting; there’s no doubt about that. You’re going to explore the waters in your very own boat! However, amid that excitement, you may forget one crucial aspect of buying a new boat: towing it.
As an angler, one of the key considerations when choosing a bass boat is its weight. Understanding the average bass boat and trailer weight is essential for both safety and performance on the water. A properly weighted boat ensures a smoother ride, better fuel efficiency, and overall handling.
Plus, it helps you stay within legal limits when towing your boat on the road. In this article, we will explore the average bass boat and trailer weight, taking into account different factors that can affect it. So, whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, get ready to dive into the numbers and discover the perfect weight for your bass fishing adventures.
And while that may sound like something easy to do, it’s not. You’ve got to consider a lot of things before you tow your boat to its new location. For instance, how much does it weigh? Will your tow vehicle be able to handle it?
But fret not – I’ve discussed all of that in detail below. I’ve also added some tips on how to tow your bass boat safely, so keep reading!
Dry Weight vs. Real Weight of a Boat
First off, let’s get the basics out of the way.
Many people get confused between terms like dry weight, payload, tare weight, etc. when buying boats. However, there are really only three things you need to know about your bass boat: its dry weight, real weight, and maximum carrying capacity (GVM).
The dry weight of your boat is measured right after the builder is done building
your vessel. This means that this measurement doesn’t include the weight of the fuel, fishing gear, or any stuff that you’ll add into the boat once you purchase it.
This number will prove useful when you’re calculating the total or real weight of your bass boat.
The real weight, as you may have guessed, is your boat’s weight once you fill it with fuel and equipment or install any accessories in it. This is the stuff you need to keep in mind when towing your boat.
Lastly, you need to know the GVM or gross vehicle mass of your bass boat. This number is the maximum weight your boat can carry on the water, and it’s something you should definitely know, so you don’t overload your boat.
What’s the Average Bass Boat and Trailer’s Weight?
This is a tricky question since bass boats come in a variety of sizes and types. However, the average bass boat weighs between 1700 to 2200 lbs.
Consider the weights of the following most popular bass boats:
- Bass Cat Puma Ftd: 1825 lbs
- Nitro Z21: 2150 lbs
- Triton 21 TRX: 1840 lbs
- Xpress X20: 1540 lbs
- Crestliner XF 189: 1280 lbs
As you can see, the weight varies from boat to boat, depending on the size, motor, and material (more on this later). But typically, a bass boat’s dry weight won’t exceed 2200 or 2300 lbs.
Next comes the trailer. You may have to get one separately, or your dealer might include it with your boat at a discounted price. Either way, you should know your trailer’s dry weight since it adds to the total weight you’ll have to pull.
Generally, a boat’s trailer will weigh between 700 to 1100 lbs, but this varies from boat to boat. A bigger boat will have a more heavy-duty trailer and vice versa.
So, the total average bass boat and trailer weight usually ends up between 2,000 and 3000 lbs, more or less. However, this is just an estimate – your boat may weigh only 1200 lbs or be as heavy as 2200 lbs – so it depends.
Things to Consider When Calculating a Bass Boat and Trailer’s Weight
When calculating the weight of a bass boat and trailer, there are several important factors to consider. First and foremost, it is crucial to accurately determine the weight of the bass boat itself. This can be done by referring to the manufacturer’s specifications or by using a scale designed for weighing boats.
It is important to note that the weight of a bass boat can vary depending on its size, construction materials, and additional accessories such as trolling motors or live wells. Therefore, it is necessary to consider all these factors when calculating the overall weight of the boat.
Material of Your Bass Boat
When you’re buying a boat or towing one whose weight you’re not too sure of, consider the material it’s made of. Is it fiberglass or aluminum?
Aluminum boats are considerably lighter, which makes them great for boating in shallow waters. So if your tow vehicle isn’t too heavy-duty, an aluminum boat would be a good idea.
But if your boat’s made of fiberglass, it’s going to be a lot heavier. It might put excessive strain on your tow vehicle, so you might have to use a bigger truck.
If you’re unsure of your boat’s weight, take it to a truck scale to measure it accurately.
Fuel Weight
Yep, fuel weight is something worth considering when towing bass boats. If your vessel’s fuel tanks are full, your boat will weigh considerably more, so it’s not something you should ignore.
Typically, bass boats have 30 to 50-gallon tanks, which means you’ll add 250 to 400 lbs to the total weight. Hence, you may want to empty the fuel tanks to relieve some of the weight before towing.
Gear Weight
This is especially important with bass boats – you’re not going to go
fishing without any gear, right?
Your gear’s weight will add a good 150 to 200 pounds to the total weight of the trailer. This includes fishing rods, reels, lines, bait, traps, spears, and other necessary stuff.
Don’t forget to weigh in the things you’ll take – water bottles, fishing boots, first aid kits, etc. And yes, I know – you’re probably going to carry those things in your towing vehicle. But after all, it will add to the total weight your vehicle has to pull.
Accessories
Have you installed any accessories in your bass boat since you purchased it? If yes, don’t forget to add them to the dry weight of your boat when calculating the total trailer weight.
These can include boat seats, power poles, cooler boxes, waterproof speakers, etc.
Weight of the Water
Your bass boat will be heavier after a trip into the water, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time fishing. This is because bass boats tend to get wet pretty quickly while fishing.
If there’s any water inside or the carpets got wet somehow, try draining the boat with its bilge pump and drying the carpets before towing. Also, you might want to empty its live wells before traveling – that’s a lot of extra pounds!
This will reduce the weight to a significant extent – something your tow vehicle will appreciate.
Does Gelcoat absorb water?
Gelcoat is an essential component of fiberglass boats, acting as a protective layer that not only adds a beautiful finish but also safeguards the underlying fiberglass structure. But the burning question remains: does gelcoat have the ability to absorb water? Well, my friends, I am delighted to inform you that gelcoat is actually highly water-resistant!
Yes, you heard that right! Gelcoat is designed to repel water and prevent it from seeping into the fiberglass beneath. This means that your beloved fiberglass bass boat is well-protected against water damage.
However, it’s important to note that over time, small cracks or chips in the gelcoat can develop. These imperfections can compromise the water resistance of the gelcoat and allow water to penetrate the underlying fiberglass. But fear not!
Manufacturers have taken this into account and have developed advanced gelcoat formulas that are even more resistant to water absorption. So, as long as you take good care of your boat and promptly repair any damages to the gelcoat, your fiberglass bass boat will continue to repel water and stay in top-notch condition.
Things to Consider About Your Tow Vehicle
The boat and its trailer isn’t the only thing that matters. If you don’t have the appropriate tow vehicle, your fishing trip is as good as canceled. Consider the following:
Towing Capacity of the Vehicle
This is probably the most important factor to consider: Can your vehicle pull the weight? With all those things stuffed into your bass boat, along with a 700 to 1000 lbs trailer, your tow vehicle will have to be super strong.
So before you invest in a bass boat or take it out for fishing, make sure to check the maximum weight your vehicle can pull.
If your bass boat and trailer’s weight exceeds the maximum tow capacity, don’t force anything. Your vehicle’s engine might get damaged, or the hitch will probably rip off, damaging your boat and trailer.
Location
Are you going to travel into muddy, swampy trails? Or will you be traveling along a smooth road? Your answer will decide whether you need a bigger and stronger tow vehicle.
Generally, though, four-wheel drives are the better option for muddy, slippery areas.
Boat Towing Safety
Towing boats isn’t as easy as it sounds, even if you’ve got the right kind of tow vehicle. There are a few things you should keep in mind to travel safely:
- Spread the weight evenly on the trailer, with the heaviest stuff in the center.
- Check to see if everything, including the safety chain, is secure. No items should be moving freely in the trailer.
- Ensure that the tongue weight is between 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight.
- Don’t rush – stay well under the limit.
- Brake early – the trailer and boat’s weight will cause the vehicle to slow down less quickly.
- Keep a good distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
- Make wide turns and don’t do it suddenly – it could be dangerous for you and other cars on the road.
- Stop at regular intervals to inspect your trailer. Is anything loose? Are the bearings overheating?
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to Skeeter Boats
Conclusion
You should always have a rough estimate of your boat’s weight after you’ve put all the necessary gear inside of it. Of course, you’ll need to know the dry weight of your trailer and boat before you can add any numbers to it.
But once you’ve done that, make sure you have a tow vehicle whose maximum tow capacity exceeds your boat and trailer’s estimated gross weight.
When it comes to weight, bass boats are a bit of a mixed bag. On one side, you have aluminum boats that are considerably lighter. On the other, you have fiberglass boats that are a lot heavier. However, the biggest determiner of a bass boat’s weight is the material it’s made of.
Typically, an aluminum boat will weigh around 1,200 to 1,400 lbs while a fiberglass one will weigh around 2,000 lbs. Moreover, an aluminum boat will be around 15% lighter than a fiberglass one. But there are other factors that can also play a role in the weight of your bass boat. For instance, the type of motor you have can also affect its weight.
While an inboard operates more efficiently, it weighs more than an outboard. The heavier the motor, the heavier the boat. So as you can see, there are a lot of factors that determine the weight of a bass boat.
And although many of them are out of your control, you can still manage them and make your bass boat lighter. Good luck on your next bass boat purchase!
Lastly, make sure to have the right type of tongue for your trailer, as this will prevent dangerous situations like swaying. After this, you’ll be good to go.
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