Towing a Sun Cat

[DuckDuckGoose]

I'm planning on buying my first sailboat, which will be a trailer-sailor. I'm almost decided on a Com-Pac Sun Cat, in part because of its ease of rigging and the singlehanded sailing capability. One thing that I'm not sure about is my ability to tow it. I have a Subaru Outback with a towing capacity of 2,700 lbs. The Sun Cat's displacement is 1,500 lbs, and I assume the actual weight will be more, plus there's the trailer weight. Those of you with a Sun Cat or a similar-sized boat, what do you estimate its total towing weight to be, and what vehicle do you use to tow it?

[cpastore]

Originally Posted by DuckDuckGoose

I'm planning on buying my first sailboat, which will be a trailer-sailor. I'm almost decided on a Com-Pac Sun Cat, in part because of its ease of rigging and the singlehanded sailing capability. One thing that I'm not sure about is my ability to tow it. I have a Subaru Outback with a towing capacity of 2,700 lbs. The Sun Cat's displacement is 1,500 lbs, and I assume the actual weight will be more, plus there's the trailer weight. Those of you with a Sun Cat or a similar-sized boat, what do you estimate its total towing weight to be, and what vehicle do you use to tow it?

I have a 2008 Sun Cat. I pull it with my Mazda CX-9, which has 3,500 lbs of towing capacity. Displacement and weight are the same for your purposes, and the Sun Cat does weigh 1,500 lbs. Add to that the weight of the trailer, anything being carried in the boat AND the weight of you, other passengers and cargo inside your car and you have the total you are "towing". In my case I reckon around 2,300 lbs, so I have plenty of margin. You should be fine with your outback. The boat tows very easily and launches well although sometimes I have trouble getting it deep enough to float it on the very gradual ramp that I use; I am contemplating the use of a removable tongue extension (to be used for launching only, not trailering on the highway). Overall it's easy to tow and launch the Sun Cat; I can do it singe-handed without much difficulty. I would say it makes a good trailer sailor if that is what you want.

[DXJ]

Originally Posted by cpastore

I have a 2008 Sun Cat. I pull it with my Mazda CX-9, which has 3,500 lbs of towing capacity.

I’m looking to import a Sun Cat into Australia and it would be really useful for me to get some info on the trailer.

Are you perhaps able to let me know what model your trailer is - MagicTilt has a BG4003 and a BG4003-1 listed for the Sun Cat but other than ‘net capacity’, do not give much info.

Is there a tag somewhere on your trailer that states the gross vehicle mass or other such measurements perhaps?

Lastly, it will be really good to now the width of your trailer between the outermost extremities - we have all sorts of rules here.

Thanks in advance if you’re able to help.

[cpastore]

DXJ,

I have the Magic Tilt BG 4003-1. It’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 3,070 lbs, its weight is 320 lbs. and its carrying capacity as you note is 2,750 lbs. You can find a sticker showing this on the inside of the trailer frame, forward on the left side. As for its width I don’t know the exact figure but I can tell you that at its widest point it is actually narrower than the boat itself, which has a beam of 7’3” according to Com-Pac Yachts (https://www.com-pacyachts.com/traile...s/sun-cat.html). I don’t think the trailer could be more than 6’9” wide. The wheels are 10X6 I55 with a five-lug 4 ½” pattern. The tires are 800X10ST (E), inflated to 90 PSI, the E indicating that they are the most heavy duty. For such a small trailer it’s relatively heavy duty so its important to get E tires.

I think that answers your questions but let me know if you have any others.

[cpastore]

I sent a reply once but I don't see it so here I go again.


My trailer is indeed a Magic Tilt BG4003-1. It has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 3,070 lbs. It weighs 320 lbs. and the difference between the two is the net capacity (2,750 lbs) that you mentioned. The tag with this info is on the trailer, left side forward on the inside. It also lists the wheel and tire type. Note that it requires category E tires, the most heavy duty. For a small trailer it carries a lot of weight and so requires the heavy duty tires. I don't have the exact width but it's a bit narrower than the boat itself, which has a beam of 7'3" according to Com-Pac. I would say the trailer is no more than 7' wide. Magic Tilt (through its authorized dealers) sells bearing and hub replacement kits if and when that's an issue, should you want to do that sort of work yourself, as well as all other replacement parts you might need. I think that's it. Let me know if you have any other questions.


Oh, one other thing. There's a Com-Pac Yachts forum like this one that you might find useful if you've not yet discovered it. It's got a separate section on Sun Cats and Picnic Cats. Here's the URL: https://cpyoa.com

[DXJ]

Thanks so much - exactly what I needed!

[cobes]

Can the Magic Tilt BG 4003-1 trailer have a brake system installed easily? Thanks,

-Drew

[cpastore]

Originally Posted by cobes

Can the Magic Tilt BG 4003-1 trailer have a brake system installed easily? Thanks,

-Drew

I'm sorry but I don't know about installing brakes on the Magic Tilt. It's not something I've ever looked into. I'm in Virginia, and state law only requires brakes if you're towing over 3,000 lbs. I can say that I have no problem braking while pulling the Sun Cat and have never felt like I needed brakes on the trailer.

[cobes]

I plan on towing with a 2018 outback, the 3.6L 6 cylinder version. The owners manual claims that if you are towing anything over 1k lbs, it needs its own brakes. Are they being overly cautious? With the Sun-Cat and its 6hp motor, gear, etc, I will be pretty close to the owner's manual's stated max towing capacity of 2700 lbs. I plan on trying to take this thing on the highway fairly long distances...

[cpastore]

Originally Posted by cobes

I plan on towing with a 2018 outback, the 3.6L 6 cylinder version. The owners manual claims that if you are towing anything over 1k lbs, it needs its own brakes. Are they being overly cautious? With the Sun-Cat and its 6hp motor, gear, etc, I will be pretty close to the owner's manual's stated max towing capacity of 2700 lbs. I plan on trying to take this thing on the highway fairly long distances...

Good point. There are two separate limits. One takes into account suspension, power train, etc. and the other takes into account braking ability. The first limit is higher than the second. If you drive slowly and conservatively then maybe braking isn't an issue, but the two big questions in my mind are what your state requires and whether your insurance will cover you if you are towing a load that exceeds what is recommended in your owner's manual. I have a feeling that there are a great many people pulling trailers that exceed the recommended weights in their owner manuals.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by cpastore

...
I have the Magic Tilt BG 4003-1...
... As for its width I don’t know the exact figure but I can tell you that at its widest point it is actually narrower than the boat itself, which has a beam of 7’-3” [87 inches, or 2.21m] according to Com-Pac Yachts (https://www.com-pacyachts.com/traile...s/sun-cat.html). I don’t think the trailer could be more than 6’9” wide [81" or 2.0574m] ...

What's the maximum towing width, in Australia?