300/440/550 towing a boat on a stock standup

Fro Diesel

Fro Diesel

creative control
Location
Kzoo
I have a 650sx that i want to use to tow our boat across the lake since the lower unit needs a water pump. The lake is only 3 miles across. The boat is a very light trihull that only wieghs 780lbs. Should i do it? or pay for a tow?
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
It will tow it with no problem at all. Just to be on the safe side, check your pisser temperature periodically and ride around a bit without the boat to cool it down if it starts to get too hot.
 
whitca

whitca

Location
Tri-Cities, WA
I would get a tow to stay on the safe side. You probably could do it...going exrtremely slow which would take you all day, but it's not worth the chance of blowing a coupler or engine over. These little standups aren't designed to tow and the strain will really take its tole. My ski has a hard time just towing another ski at anything more than idle. I would just stand on the dock w/ a $10 bill in hand and offer it to anyone willing to make the trip.
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
whitca said:
My ski has a hard time just towing another ski at anything more than idle.
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Seriously? It ought to be able to pull another ski up on the plane without breaking a sweat - surf riders do it all the time rescuing each other. 780lbs really isn't that much of a lead once you have it moving.
 
32vickie

32vickie

X-
Location
Pipersville, PA
did it with a JS 550 and a 18 foot bowrider, not three miles. I would not do it again. Pisser get real hot, changed the color of the paint in the area. Give someone $20 and save your motor.

Doug
 
W

wydopen

Guest
when i was young my friends brother towed our ski boat with about 8 adults for over 5miles with a 550sx..no problem
 
whitca

whitca

Location
Tri-Cities, WA
nope-but I did notice after doing it that the silicone I had put in around my pump was almost gone in some places-probably had nothing to do w/ the tow but I'm sure accounted for the cavitating
 
kawirider00

kawirider00

BRAAAP
Location
South Jersey
i towed a 28 foot sail boat with my x2 and blew it up, you could give some young buck a few cases of beer to tow it across the lake, or freshen up on your motor rebuilding skills
 
Idok

Idok

F1pro
Location
Nations oldest muthaF+++kin city
whitca said:
I would get a tow to stay on the safe side. You probably could do it...going exrtremely slow which would take you all day, but it's not worth the chance of blowing a coupler or engine over. These little standups aren't designed to tow and the strain will really take its tole. My ski has a hard time just towing another ski at anything more than idle. I would just stand on the dock w/ a $10 bill in hand and offer it to anyone willing to make the trip.
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huh?







it'll be fine, I would do it in a heartbeat
 
WAB

WAB

salty nuts
Location
coastal GA
I don't see how it would overheat. If it is not cavatating and not reving WOT, it should be getting enough water flow to keep cool , esp a stock ski.
Somebody fill me in?
 
whitca

whitca

Location
Tri-Cities, WA
I don't know what happened to make the coupler go. He was towing me in w/ his squarenose and all the sudden lost all power. The engine would still run and push water but under load it would just drown out. We pulled the motor that night and sure enough, coupler had a split in it.
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
whitca said:
I don't know what happened to make the coupler go. He was towing me in w/ his squarenose and all the sudden lost all power. The engine would still run and push water but under load it would just drown out. We pulled the motor that night and sure enough, coupler had a split in it.
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It could have been a coincidence. I'm not sure how towing anything would break the coupler. It could add more load, but not that much, and not enough to cause damage. At least you wouldn't think so....
 
keefer

keefer

T1
Location
Tennessee
If you tow something much larger than another standup you are putting a heavy strain on the entire drive train & the engine. I have heard several warnings from more than one reputable ski mechanic that you can finish off pump and short shaft bearings by towing something too fast or too heavy. I can see how you might also overheat an engine or finish off a worn engine. I think that you should only tow other small craft of similar size when absolutely necessary and then only short distances at slow speeds just enough to plane.
 
W

wydopen

Guest
i forgot i towed our huge dock with two superjets..it wasnt fun but it worked..that thing is all metal..it weighs at least 2000lbs..
 
T

ToddW

Web GuY
Location
Folsom Lake - CA
Don't try to gas it or jerk it around... slow constant speed and it should be fine. Take some breaks going across if you are worried.
 
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