Actual boat weights

[regal]

I had to sell my 89 260 Cuddy because it was to big to tow with my 1/2 ton truck. The owners manual showed 4400 lbs to be the weight of the boat, however NADA.com shows it at 6000. Which one is correct?

I am considering a 22 WA Shamrock is this toweable with a 1/2 ton?

 

[Leprechaun]

I haven't dug out my old original literature, but I believe it says that the dry weight of a Predator 260 is 5400lbs. Personally I think even that is a conservative number based on watching my boat hauler's 1-ton Ford pickup w/Diesel and 4WD struggle to pull my rig up the local ramp.

Add 100gal of fuel at 7lbs per gal plus all the accessories and add-ons that put these boats in "Fishing Trim" and the weight could easily be in the 7500 lb range. That's what I call "Wave smashing" weight, of which I do believe more is better. Except if you have to tow it around, that is.

Never have actually weighed the Lep though.

rgds, Leprechaun

 

[easytimes455]

I'll add the stats I have in two different brochures. They don't make much sense, so make of them what you will.

In the 1988 brochure, a 260 cuddy lists at 4400 lb., while the 260 hard top lists as the same weight. I don't know how that works, but that's what it says.

In the spec list for 1998 260's, we have a Mack which weighs in at 5300, while the 260 Open weighs 4750. I think the newer designs might be a little deeper, but I don't know that for sure. In the twenty foot group the hulls are different between 1988 and 1998, but I am not that familiar with the 260's, enough to make any statements. Other measurements are the same, but free board is not addressed in either brochure.

I can tell you, my boat is listed as 4000 pounds in 1998 and with no obvious changes the last web page listing has it at 4393 pounds in 2002, I believe was the date for that change. Where they put nearly four hundred pounds, I'll never know, but that's supposedly the weight... go figure.

Good luck with your choice.
CB

 

[sos26sham]

Just took my 26 HT to the stone quarry,,, with trailer,gear,and 100gal of gas 7500 on the button. But I don't know the weight of the trailer. It is an old heavy roller type.
I also have been towing the olll girl with a 1/2 ton for 9yrs.



S.O.S.

 

[Hav'nfun]

The older brochures do not list the correct weight. A 26' HT weights about 5800# dry. Add anchors, electronics, safety gear, serviced pottie, water, fuel and oil, lines, fenders, and all the other basic gear you are 7,000#.

The first time I picked up a load of three 20's I was told their dry weight was 3600# each. At the first scales I was surprised to discover I was 1800 lbs more than I thought.

These boats are built!

Tom

 

[easytimes455]

I don't know what the standard is for listing weight for boats, but I always thought the early 26's were mis-marked. In cars, the listed curb weight is a totally dry vehicle. It's not even supposed to count the water in the radiator or oil in the engine, transmission, or brake system, never mind any undercoating.

That's because metal manufacturing is done almost solely by weight. In the RS Means estimating guide they list ductwork by the pound for the entire process, without regard for complexity of the system. It's easy to know the weight of metal fabrications, in a computerized system, so they use that information in their releases, and to heck with us knowing what the heck their talking about.

When figuring my tow weight, I always add a little to each part of the equation, so I wound up with between 6000 and 6500 towed weight for my 22. My tanks are almost always full, and we keep quite a bit of gear on the boat, including quite a few sinkers and trolling weights.

By the sound of it, I was probably closer to right than I thought, even with trying to over estimate. But when towing, it's better to be safe than sorry. Hmm, where have I heard that before?
CB