Weight of small boat and trailer

Weight of small boat and trailer

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Discussion

crofty1984

Original Poster:

16,241 posts

211 months

Thursday 3rd August 2023
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Hi all,
I'm idly musing about a little boat, something like a microplus 501, older Shetland 570 kind of thing. Little 17-18 foot thing with a little cabin up front to get out of the rain/have a cup of tea on a single axle trailer.

Anyone know what the dry weight of such a setup might be? Could it duck in at under 500kg? I'd take the outboard off if needs be. Just thinking about my towing options.

Thanks, Dan

OutInTheShed

9,315 posts

33 months

Thursday 3rd August 2023
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The weight of these things is hugely variable.

The outboard itself can be anything from 10HP for pottering inland, up to maybe 60HP.
Big outboards are quite heavy and not quick to remove.
Newer 4 strokes are heavier than the older 2 strokes.
Trailers are quite heavy. And variable.
Cabin boats get loaded with 'stuff' which adds weight.
Anchors, gas bottles, cushions, it all adds up!

Some similar looking boats can be built to withstand bashing over waves on the sea, others are built for inland.

500kg is do-able with care.
Unbraked towing limit can be up to 750kg depending on the car.
Boat trailer brakes are a world of pain.

rosejem

186 posts

120 months

Saturday 5th August 2023
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I think the Micro plus would be lighter than the Shetland .
Maybe under 500kgs for the Micro plus on an unbraked trailer without an outboard.

I estimate that my 16ft Orkney with outboard & unbraked trailer is around 400kgs.

Snow and Rocks

2,415 posts

34 months

Monday 7th August 2023
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Why the arbitrary 500kg limit? 750kg is perhaps sensible to avoid having to worry about brakes but everyone has the B+E licence now so I wouldn't worry too much about weight unless you have a particularly weedy tow car.

crofty1984

Original Poster:

16,241 posts

211 months

Tuesday 8th August 2023
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Snow and Rocks said:
Why the arbitrary 500kg limit? 750kg is perhaps sensible to avoid having to worry about brakes but everyone has the B+E licence now so I wouldn't worry too much about weight unless you have a particularly weedy tow car.
My daily is an ev (e-golf at the moment) and most of the ones in my price range have either 0 tow rating or 500kg.
It's looking tempting to just sling 500 quid at a cheap tow car and leave it on the in-laws farm for when needed.

Simpo Two

87,033 posts

272 months

Tuesday 8th August 2023
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If you stumped up for a mooring then you could have a big boat instead of a small one biggrin