Can I do it wuth a Civic

[Zoran]

Just past weekend I got a spot on a dry storrage less than 200 yards from the launch ramp. Since my van is old I also bought new Honda Civic for my everyday comute three weeks ago. Now it is too expensive for me to have insurance on two cars and pay for the boat storage. I would like to selll my van and launch and retreive with Honda Civic. It is basic model with manual transmision. Anybody doing this and what is your experience or opinion.
Zoran

[Chip Hindes]

I believe it borders on insanity to attempt to pull the Mac up even a moderately steep ramp with a Civic with manual transmission. More likely the boat will pull the Civic down the ramp than vice versa.

The Civic weighs 2600 lbs, and I checked a couple of websites and can't even find a towing capacity listed. An empty Mac, with trailer, with empty ballast is pushing 3500 lbs; loaded it will be over 4000 lbs. You figure it out.

However, I'm sure you'll run across somebody who's already done it. In case you do, I stick by my original statement.

[Zoran]

Thanks Chip
Actualy Civic has towing capacity 0 (zero), according to manual. It is not made for towing, however when I called service department in dealership that sold me the vehicle to ask for hitch installation they recommended hitch installer that told me that there is only one hitch for Civic and it is rated 2000#. I am going to install it on Friday and attempt launch on Saturday. Ramp I will be using is not steep at all and it will be only launch for Civic.

I am still in hope that somebdy already did this. I believe there was post on the old site that somebody was launcing with Corolla. Hey I am Civic nation we can do it too.

Zoran

[kmclemore]

As that car's front wheel drive, and as all of the weight will be in the back due to both the boat's weight and the angle of the car on the ramp, I expect you'll go through a year's worth of tires in just spinning and smoke... shortly before the tires are cooled as they slip slowly into the water, of course. Suggest you get a very, very fat man (men?) to sit on the front bonnet or else you're gonna have a premature swimming lesson.

You know, you might do better putting that hitch on the front of that Civic and using reverse to pull your Mac out. At least all your weight would be in the right place and you'd have the maximum gearing advantage.

[mike]

We used to launch and retrieve our old boat (a 17' I/O runabout that weighed a bit less than the 26x), which was stored on the trailer at a marina, with a Honda CR-V, which is only rated for 1,000 pounds. It seemed to pull the boat out just fine (automatic trans, not manual), but I know it probably wasn't healthy for it.

I currently drive a Civic, but also have a Nissan pickup (4cyl, manual) for hauling stuff, and used it for launching and retrieve the 26x for a few months when it was dry stored mast-up. I can tell you that it is fairly difficult to pull a big boat out of the water with a manual transmission and a relatively weak engine.

My 2 cents... you'll smoke that Civic's clutch in no time!

--Mike

[Scott]

Hey Zoran. If your ramps not too steep Give it a try. Have a backup in case the car cant handle.

I pull my boat at the end of the year and launch in spring with a 97 toyota Rav 4. 2000 cc motor, 2 wheel drive and a hitch rated at 1500#. Our ramp is what I would consider "quite steep" I smoke the tires now and then but havent smoked the clutch. Yeah when I pull it down the highway I borrow my brothers 3/4 ton ford p/u but WTH the rav works for the 500 yards from the ramp to dry store.

Theres a guy on the e-mail list in fla. that tugs his Venture with a 240 z and his ballast wont dump!

I hear theres idiots that jump from airplanes and they werent born with wings, let us not talk of the dubious nature of airplanes to begin with.

As for posting this on anarchy (Mr fillintheblank) not everyone aspires to be "supersailor", as well, not everyone feels that they are less than manly (or womanly) (PC) if they are not the worlds greatest sailor.

Some good natured fun poking is harmless but couple it with sage advice if youve got it. But dont be sh*tty.

We were all plebes at some point!

[albion]

If you get the chance to see the MacGregor dvd you will see that at the factory the guy just pushes the boats and trailer out into the yard. 200Yards aint too far and I bet its all down hill to the ramp. CIVIC are you crazy?

[David Mellon]

Play it safe, open the windows and wear your life jacket, call for an ambulance and get the Coast Guard to bring a cutter to the ramp, be sure they have a decompression chamber charged and ready. It would be a good idea to get yacht insurance on the Civic too. Even my Suburban gets pushed around by my

[K9Kampers]

Catch it on video and show us first before sending it to YouTube!

[Shane]

Just past weekend I got a spot on a dry storrage less than 200 yards from the launch ramp..... Anybody doing this and what is your experience or opinion.
Zoran

Zoran,

I know there is every reason not to do this, but if your trying it anyways.....
I agree that you'd likely have better success with a front mounted hitch as far as traction over the drive wheels, but finding a traditional 'rear' mount for it is probably hard enough. Either way I imagine your ground clearance is going to be extremely limited even before you add any tongue weight to it. If your ramp angle changes quite gently as it crests, you might get away with moving real slow (don't know if there would be any other way ) and using the wheel on your trailer tongue jack, letting it take the weight rather than the civic suspension. Pulling forward, that might even help offset the negative weight (cantilever effect) on your front drive wheels). My biggest concern with this method would be the effect of the laterial force created by a sudden 'jamming' of the front trailer wheel (ie: a rock locking it up), and the possible damage to the trailer jack.

BTW, where abouts are you storing? I'm out in Langley and am still looking at mast up storage options for over winter. Also let me know if your in need of an extra set of eyes/hands when you go to try it.

Regards,
Shane

[baldbaby2000]

I think it all depends on how steep and slippery the ramp is. I'd feel better if it was an automatic. I think you'll increase the wear on you clutch significantly.

BB

[NiceAft]

I don't think it's worth the risk Any friends who have a truck and would like to sail for a day

If you trash the car, you are up that proverbial creek without a paddle





Ray

[pokerrick1]

You WILL be able to launch the Mac with the Civic - - - no problem Now - - - retreiving - - - that's another story

Rick

PS I want to watch(I tell that to all the girls). What time are you retreiving

[beene]

After years of pulling boats out of the water, I have found the hardest part is when you release the brakes and apply the gas. What I have found to work exceedingly well is to chock the rear wheels. That way I release the brake, no movement, then apply the gas and out it comes. That way the engine is never fighting the brakes as you go from brake to gas. It was very noticeable the first time I did this, the van hardly revved at all. Just put it in low and it walked it out with a full ballast tank. I have a 2001 Toyota Sienna rated at 3500lbs.



G

[Catigale]

IT shouldnt matter if you chock front or rear wheels with this approach of course...and I assume everyone chocks...dont you..??

you do, right??

Right??



We always chock the front, I have the chock on a 'painter' which I loop around the mirror, so I can grab it from the driver seat as I pull the trailer or boat out and drag it up the ramp with me.

If you dont leave the driver seat while launching I would be okay with not chocking, but if you do, you should be doing this....