YM1500 to launch a boat ?

[mjdupre]

Anyone have any experience or advice on using a YM1500 to launch a boat?

I've read all the posts regarding rear roll overs using a 3 point drawbar so I'm planning on using the fixed drawbar below the axle.

The boat is a 18' Alumacraft Jon boat with a 90 hp Merc. total weight with trailer is probably around 2500 pounds.

Any thoughts, is this doable or am I nuts (very likely) ?

 

[svcguy]

Our local marina uses a Kubota tractor for all their work around the yard and on the launch, but admittedly it is a larger unit, about 35 - 40 hp and 4WD. They handle some big boats though (like 40' sailboats). Try pulling it around on the flat and make sure it's stable and handles fine. If it does, try it on the launch. I would have a friend on standby with a 4WD pickup and a tow strap just in case it doesn't feel comfortable once you are backing down into the water.

 

[VT_Hokie]

I don't think the launch would be much of a problem but the pull out is obviously the issue. Things to consider are steepness of the ramp, ramp composition (how smooth), trailer tires on the ramp during retrieval (in the mud or a hole) and the type of tires you have on your tractor. I get a kick out of our local launch where someone in a 2wd S-10 tries to pull out and ends up spinning all the way up. In the first five feet when the boat settles down on the trailer and things get heavy you hear their nervous factor increase as the engine starts rev'n and the tires screem. I don't think that the tractor would bog down in low gear on the pull, if anything it would be tire slip first.

VT

 

[Underwaterdog]

I have a 21 foot bow rider, with a 200HP Yamaha engine and fiberglass boat and dual wheel trailer. The boat weights in about 4000lbs fully loaded. I used my YM2500 with a 3 point mounted draw bar with ball to move it around all the time. I used the hydraulics to lift the front up high when washing the boat out. There was about 160 lbs of counter weight on the front of the yanmar and never had a problem with the front wheels being even bouncy. I even launched it in my dirt bank pond to test run it. Its definitely doable. A lot will depend on how well the trailer is is balanced. There really shouldn't be that much weight on the tongue. Now that I have a 3110D, it is definitely not a problem. As far as backing down a ramp, as long as it is not to steep it should be OK as long as it is properly counterweighted. As others said, do some test and familiarization on the flats first.

 

[2manyrocks]

How steep is the ramp?

Is there anything you might hang a trailer tire on that would cause any sudden resistance to rolling like potholes, mud, ....? Is this a concrete ramp, dirt, gravel?

Tandem axle or single axle boat trailer?

Not to be nosy, but why would you want to use a tractor for this instead of a vehicle?

Aren't we talking about a 1500 LB tractor pulling a 2500 lb boat/trailer up a ramp?

I think the caution flag needs to go up.

 

[BruceR]

Mount the hitch on the front of your 1500, will greatly reduce the "pucker" factor.

Bruce

 

[mjdupre]

All good comments.

No I don't have a ROPS, yet. I'm seriously considering one.

To answer some of 2manyrocks questions:

- It is a concrete ramp, in pretty good shape.
- Single axle trailer.
- The reason for considering using the tractor is that the tractor and my boats are at my lake house, about 400 miles from my primary residence. With the price of ga$ it would be nice to drive a more economical vehicle to the lake then use the tractor to launch the boat than my Tahoe.

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Jagmandave]

Years ago I used to use a Ford (9n? 8n?) to pull boats out at the Marina I worked at, and it did fine. Just stick her down in a low gear and it will walk it right out

 

[California]

You have plenty of torque and gearing. Now all you need is to ballast the tractor up to the weight of the boat so you don't slide back down the ramp.

I do like the idea of saving $100 per trip.

 

[mah1]

Do not turn the tractor sideways on the ramp with the boat parallel with the ramp! It could turn the tractor over or cause it to jack knife. The tractor has the power but the weight could be an issue. If the ramp is not to steep it might work OK. I would get a ROPS, add ballast to the tires, turn it around on flat ground before you back it down.

 

[Northstar9126]

I would be most concerned about the brakes on the tractor being able to stop the tractor and boat. I had a 1500D (great little tractor). I think you will have no problem getting the boat out of the water, putting in would be my concern. Maybe you could take the anchor from the boat, put it on the tractor and throw it "overboard" if the brakes don't stop you.

 

[Underwaterdog]

I hope this doesn't sound like preaching, but I feel like I need to add something to my previous post. Please take the other's advice and get a ROPS, whether you decide to use it to launch the boat or not. Make sure everything is in good mechanical order. Also please wear a life jacket anytime you are in a boat or around the water. Those inflatable ones are compact, light and cool, and I wear mine anytime I am in the boat, and require my passengers to do the same. I used to do Search & Rescue and it should have been called Search & Recovery, because that was what most of the calls were. I also so unexpectedly got thrown out of a boat as a passenger going about 35MPH. If I had not have had a PFD on I probably wouldn't be here now. I will soon be pulling my boat out from under the shed and using the lift to pick the front up so I can wash it out easier. I am confortable pulling my larger boat with a larger tractor because I know how it feels. IMO thats really not that big of a boat, and the tongue weight should be well within the capablility of the tractor. I had thought about BruceR's comment about mounting a hitch on the front of the tractor. You could mount a 2" receiver and change to different drawbar heights as necesary, but may reduce traction when pulling it out since the wheels will be turning backwards. I did that many years ago on a Sears Garden tractor (lawnmower) to put my first boat under a very tight fitting shed. If you decide to do this, trust your feelings, and if something doesn't feel right just stop. Saving a hundred dollars of gas is good, but it isn't worth your life. When things go wrong, it happens fast.

 

[svcguy]

I think you will be surprised at the ability of your tractor, but attempting a pull with the tractor tires in the water can make a big difference. I built a trailer for my sailboat, allowing me to extend the tongue 10 feet during launch. It makes a big difference not to have the tow vehicle half summerged in the water. You may be able to rig something along that line to help. All of the suggestions have been helpful and I am sure that with a bit of ingenuity and caution you will be fine.

 

[mjdupre]

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Based on all of the suggestions, I went ahead and ordered the ROPS.
Already received it and will install this weekend.

 

[wombat]

Mount the hitch on the front of your 1500, will greatly reduce the "pucker" factor.

Bruce

+1

It is also easier to manouver.

Wombat

 

[California]

I dunno. This will be used to go down a boat ramp. There are no brakes on the front axle. It's a 25 year old tractor. If you break a front ujoint etc you will be launched right along with the boat.

I think I wouldn't use a front hitch for this considering the slope. It would be fine on flat ground.