Nick_H
Well-Known Member
I'll probably just try towing a car up a hill in neutral
American trailerable sport fishers
- Thread starter Nick_H
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I'll probably just try towing a car up a hill in neutral
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Yep, sensible thought, and you will have a reasonable feel for the inclination of your local slipway. Obviously the slipway ramp will be quite slippery. You might try disabling the traction control?
aquapower
Well-Known Member
I pull my sealine 218 up slipway with my 3.0 landcruiser auto and although I have a low range have never used it as never felt it struggle, weight all in with trailer is very close to my 3000 kg limit, it tows better on the road than my caravan of similar size that weighs 1900 kg. I can't see you will have a problem with your XC90.
I have used both slipways in Lymington and find the one nearest town is easier as there's wall beside and more sheltered, especially when used at high tide.
I have used both slipways in Lymington and find the one nearest town is easier as there's wall beside and more sheltered, especially when used at high tide.
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
XC90 does not have the torque distribution of the Landcruiser, consider it more a front wheel drive with occasional 4x4, and needing a torque differential front to rear to generate rear drive torque. It also uses the traction control to improve low mu grip, but this can deposed the engine so much that it might struggle to generate enough torque.
aquapower
Well-Known Member
I still can't see a problem here as long as you have grip, that's why I say best to pull out at high tide, I would be disappointed if I had bought a 4x4 and it wasn't any good for towing, the Volvo D5 engine has a lot more torque than The Toyota
lambohill
Well-Known Member
I have direct experience of this and regularly tow 3.5 tonnes with both a land rover defender and a range rover. I always used low range on both and have had no problem.
However...recent transfer box linkage trouble on the defender meant high range use only. A brand new Clutch on defender destroyed in c. 3k miles due to double clutching as was necessary to haul 3 to 3.5 tonnes form start on a slope was the result of the high range use.
At these kind of loads on slope starts, low range box is what makes the vehicle pull and clutches last. I do not know the tipping point in terms of slope / weight, but I do know from recent experience that you will not keep clutches with over 3 tonnes and a high range box on a slope. In fact tomorrow I am off to tow 3.5 on the Range Rover for a 100 mile tow once I get her up the slip , using low range for sure. Incidentally the auto box on the RR is superb for towing and for normal level starts it will pull away well in high,but on a slip this is abuse. The defender needs the low range due to lower power, c.120hp v.c.300hp on the RR. Hope this helps a little.
However...recent transfer box linkage trouble on the defender meant high range use only. A brand new Clutch on defender destroyed in c. 3k miles due to double clutching as was necessary to haul 3 to 3.5 tonnes form start on a slope was the result of the high range use.
At these kind of loads on slope starts, low range box is what makes the vehicle pull and clutches last. I do not know the tipping point in terms of slope / weight, but I do know from recent experience that you will not keep clutches with over 3 tonnes and a high range box on a slope. In fact tomorrow I am off to tow 3.5 on the Range Rover for a 100 mile tow once I get her up the slip , using low range for sure. Incidentally the auto box on the RR is superb for towing and for normal level starts it will pull away well in high,but on a slip this is abuse. The defender needs the low range due to lower power, c.120hp v.c.300hp on the RR. Hope this helps a little.
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
In case anyone's interested, i've decided to buy this boat, a Scout Abaco 245
By coincidence it's exactly the model of the photo in my first post, which I just picked randomly from Google images to demonstrate the kind of thing I was thinking about. The big plus of this particular model is the weight, just 1200 kgs dry ex-engine, so even with trailer, outboard, and ancilliaries it should still be within the towing limit of the Volvo.
I'm buying it in Greece, and many thanks to Vas who has helped out with some info and contacts, and also checked out the dealer for me. What a great forum this is. For the sea trial we launched in a beautiful spot just outside Athens, you can see the islands offshore. The brand seems to be highly regarded in the US, with good reports on seakeeping despite the light weight, and it certainly flattened out the small chop in Greece very well.
It currently has twin Suzuki 4 strokes, but i'm buying it without the engines. When it arrives I'll take it to a weighbridge and then work out what i've got to play with. The lightest option is an ETEC 200, which is under 200 kgs, and should give adequate performance on such a light boat. Most likely i'll go for an Optimax 250, which is only 30 kgs heavier, but has more poke, or a 225 as i've been offered one at a very keen price.
I plan to make it a bit more sociable with removeable bench seats each side between the aft facing seats and the existing rear bench seat, and a drop down table so we can make the whole of the cockpit into a big sunpad. I may re-cover in Movida and put fake teak on the cockpit floor as well to make it a bit more plush
Most importantly it has a bog, hooray!
I've long admired this type of boat, so i'm quite excited about getting it. I'm not sure yet how or where i'll store it during the season, but it's great to have the flexibility to put it on a trailer by the side of my house whenever I want, to reduce mooring fees. I'm also really pleased i've found something suitable within the legal towing weight of the XC90, so I can take it to my folks place in Devon if I want, and leave it for them to use while we're in France.
By coincidence it's exactly the model of the photo in my first post, which I just picked randomly from Google images to demonstrate the kind of thing I was thinking about. The big plus of this particular model is the weight, just 1200 kgs dry ex-engine, so even with trailer, outboard, and ancilliaries it should still be within the towing limit of the Volvo.
I'm buying it in Greece, and many thanks to Vas who has helped out with some info and contacts, and also checked out the dealer for me. What a great forum this is. For the sea trial we launched in a beautiful spot just outside Athens, you can see the islands offshore. The brand seems to be highly regarded in the US, with good reports on seakeeping despite the light weight, and it certainly flattened out the small chop in Greece very well.
It currently has twin Suzuki 4 strokes, but i'm buying it without the engines. When it arrives I'll take it to a weighbridge and then work out what i've got to play with. The lightest option is an ETEC 200, which is under 200 kgs, and should give adequate performance on such a light boat. Most likely i'll go for an Optimax 250, which is only 30 kgs heavier, but has more poke, or a 225 as i've been offered one at a very keen price.
I plan to make it a bit more sociable with removeable bench seats each side between the aft facing seats and the existing rear bench seat, and a drop down table so we can make the whole of the cockpit into a big sunpad. I may re-cover in Movida and put fake teak on the cockpit floor as well to make it a bit more plush
Most importantly it has a bog, hooray!
I've long admired this type of boat, so i'm quite excited about getting it. I'm not sure yet how or where i'll store it during the season, but it's great to have the flexibility to put it on a trailer by the side of my house whenever I want, to reduce mooring fees. I'm also really pleased i've found something suitable within the legal towing weight of the XC90, so I can take it to my folks place in Devon if I want, and leave it for them to use while we're in France.
Pinnacle
Well-Known Member
Congrats - looks very smart! 
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
V nice. I like the T top and I guess it was a bit of a bonus to find a radar on a boat this size? Agree that a bog is essential. That was the major reason that I sold my RIB as the females in my family all refused to go on it in the end!
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
I like that - great looks and fits your original criteria very well. :encouragement:
The ETEC sounds good and probably more frugal than the others? The only thing you need to fix is the weather now - will it ever stop raining?
The ETEC sounds good and probably more frugal than the others? The only thing you need to fix is the weather now - will it ever stop raining?
EME
Well-Known Member
Congratulations! Love the boat … great lines for a S-fisher imho. Have to take issue with the bog though …. needs some soft spots otherwise has all attributes for a nut crasher in a slight swell ! 
In case anyone's interested, i've decided to buy this boat, a Scout Abaco 245
By coincidence it's exactly the model of the photo in my first post, which I just picked randomly from Google images to demonstrate the kind of thing I was thinking about. The big plus of this particular model is the weight, just 1200 kgs dry ex-engine, so even with trailer, outboard, and ancilliaries it should still be within the towing limit of the Volvo.
I'm buying it in Greece, and many thanks to Vas who has helped out with some info and contacts, and also checked out the dealer for me. What a great forum this is. For the sea trial we launched in a beautiful spot just outside Athens, you can see the islands offshore. The brand seems to be highly regarded in the US, with good reports on seakeeping despite the light weight, and it certainly flattened out the small chop in Greece very well.
It currently has twin Suzuki 4 strokes, but i'm buying it without the engines. When it arrives I'll take it to a weighbridge and then work out what i've got to play with. The lightest option is an ETEC 200, which is under 200 kgs, and should give adequate performance on such a light boat. Most likely i'll go for an Optimax 250, which is only 30 kgs heavier, but has more poke, or a 225 as i've been offered one at a very keen price.
I plan to make it a bit more sociable with removeable bench seats each side between the aft facing seats and the existing rear bench seat, and a drop down table so we can make the whole of the cockpit into a big sunpad. I may re-cover in Movida and put fake teak on the cockpit floor as well to make it a bit more plush
Most importantly it has a bog, hooray!
I've long admired this type of boat, so i'm quite excited about getting it. I'm not sure yet how or where i'll store it during the season, but it's great to have the flexibility to put it on a trailer by the side of my house whenever I want, to reduce mooring fees. I'm also really pleased i've found something suitable within the legal towing weight of the XC90, so I can take it to my folks place in Devon if I want, and leave it for them to use while we're in France.
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paultallett
Well-Known Member
She looks superb..... Have fun!!
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Yep, really nice. Vas is a great asset to this forum, he helped me out when I was looking for the Snazi, and one or two in Greece looked quite attractive until Vas did some homework.
Please this has worked out for you.
Please this has worked out for you.
jfm
Well-Known Member
Wow that's a really nice looking machine. Congratulations Nick
Martin Duce is yer man for upholstery. Go wild and have cobra Movida. The bright burnt orange colour, with white caulked flexi teak
I need to eat my words above when I said our rib is gutless. Till now it has been loaded with people plus kids on board meaning careful driving. But I took her out on my own the other week and got the trim right and she flew to 40 knots
On your boat the weigh bridge idea makes sense so you can get the biggest hp outboard that you have kg headroom for. Good luck getting her ready to sail
Martin Duce is yer man for upholstery. Go wild and have cobra Movida. The bright burnt orange colour, with white caulked flexi teak
I need to eat my words above when I said our rib is gutless. Till now it has been loaded with people plus kids on board meaning careful driving. But I took her out on my own the other week and got the trim right and she flew to 40 knots
On your boat the weigh bridge idea makes sense so you can get the biggest hp outboard that you have kg headroom for. Good luck getting her ready to sail
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Nautorius
Well-Known Member
Congratulations Nick.
Having Run an ETEC for 3 years and still moor next to the boat I would only go for the Etec. They are lighter, quitter and more economical. Also awesome reliability! When I got my centre console I looked at all the 4 strokes but the Etec meant I could get a 90Hp not a 4 stroke 115hp due to weight and performance.
How you getting it back??/
Paul
Having Run an ETEC for 3 years and still moor next to the boat I would only go for the Etec. They are lighter, quitter and more economical. Also awesome reliability! When I got my centre console I looked at all the 4 strokes but the Etec meant I could get a 90Hp not a 4 stroke 115hp due to weight and performance.
How you getting it back??/
Paul
z1ppy
Well-Known Member
lovely looking boat Nick, really nice lines! congratulations
i do like the Etec but given the choice, i would go Verado just because they are so quiet and smooth!
We had a 225 opti on our Scorpion rib and it was perfect! loads of grunt and a noise i could listen to all day!
i do like the Etec but given the choice, i would go Verado just because they are so quiet and smooth!
We had a 225 opti on our Scorpion rib and it was perfect! loads of grunt and a noise i could listen to all day!
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
Yeah, would be nice to do something a bit more adventurous with the cockpit colour scheme. I haven't ruled out a Yammie F300 myself, as they're actually pretty light, about 260 kilos, and the boat is rated for it. Scout have performance data with that engine, and it does 50 knots!
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
It'll be towed back by a transport company on its own trailer. I hate long drives, and it'd take me a full week to go and get it, and life's too short for that.
Anyone with a big 4WD who likes driving interested in doing the collection? Actually don't even need a really big 4WD as it's coming without the engines, and no fuel or water, so should weigh under 2T.
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julians
Well-Known Member
Is the trailer it comes with, legal in the uk?
A lot of the US boats dont come with uk legal trailers when theyre imported direct from the us.
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
Yes, I checked with Scout. This boat was sold new through their Greek dealer, so the boat and trailer are CE certified