How Much Does a Fishing Boat and Trailer Weigh (35 Examples)

Any serious angler looks forward to the day they buy their first boat.  Whether it is a 12 foot aluminum boat or a 21 foot pontoon boat, the most common question I get asked is how much does a boat and trailer weigh.

It is not a silly question.  Knowing the weight of your boat and trailer is essential for safe towing and easy launching at the ramp.  

How much does a fishing boat and trailer weigh?  

The average weight of a fishing boat with equipment, motor, and trailer is about 3500 pounds.  Fishing boat and trailer weights vary depending on the category of boat and the average range is from 2800 to 5000 pounds.

• Average aluminum fishing boat and trailer weight:  2950 pounds

• Average bass boat and trailer weight:  3040 pounds

• Average inshore-saltwater fishing boat and trailer weight:  4400 pounds

• Average pontoon fishing boat and trailer weight:  3500 pounds

Getting an exact weight for your setup depends on several factors which include: boat material, motor, gear and the size and type of boat.  To help simplify your research, I have compiled a long list of the most common boat and trailer setups with my best estimates of weight.

Aluminum Fishing Boat and Trailer Weights

Chances are you know someone who owns an aluminum fishing boat.  Their versatility and affordability have made them some of the most popular types of boats on the water.  

Not to mention, they are among the lightest boat and trailer combos available.  Small pick-up trucks and small to mid-sized SUVs are ideal for pulling aluminum boats.  However, larger aluminum boats are still heavy once fully outfitted with a motor, fuel and other equipment. 

The larger aluminum boats on the list are best matched with mid-sized SUVs and pick-ups. 

Bass Boat and Trailer Weights

For those of us obsessed with bass fishing, a sleek bass boat is the ultimate piece of equipment.  A bass boat is designed for one purpose, to help you catch more bass.  

With all the features and gadgets that amateur and pro anglers love, the weight adds up.  Also, most higher-end bass boats are made of fiberglass which adds to the overall weight.  

In addition, bass boats are meant to cover water quickly while cruising from spot to spot.  This requires big outboard motors.  Some models even require two motors.  

Package weights vary greatly from one model to the next.  In general, heavier boats need stronger trailers, sometimes with two axles.  These heavy-duty trailers result in the bass boat setups having higher average weights compared to aluminum fishing boats.  Most mid-sized pick-ups and SUVs can handle the load.  Four-wheel drive is recommended with heavier models.

Inshore – Saltwater Fishing Boat and Trailer Weights

The saltwater anglers among us will surely appreciate the wide variety of inshore and offshore fishing boats available.  Most offshore vessels are much bigger than many anglers intend to tow.  For that reason, we will stick to the smaller inshore boats that are ubiquitous along coastal waters. 

An inshore saltwater fishing boat is a fish catching machine that cuts through rough seas and adapts to the fishing styles required for all species being targeted.  Most are manufactured from fiberglass for durability.  

Powerful motors and saltwater specific features places them among the heavy-weights on the list.  Some mid-sized SUVs can handle the weight but mainly larger trucks are needed to safely tow and launch these boats.

Also, keep in mind that the saltwater environment where inshore boats are launched causes boat ramps to be slippery with aquatic growth.  Lugging a large boat up a launch is no easy task and four-wheel drive is almost required.       

Pontoon Boat and Trailer Weights

A pontoon boat may not be the first thing that comes to mind when selecting a fishing boat.  However, more and more anglers are starting to discover that pontoon boats are more than sluggish party barges.  

Modern engineering, paired with powerful outboard motors, means versatility, speed, stability and comfort.  Fishing from a pontoon boat is not like it used to be.  It’s the best of both worlds now and they allows anglers to catch fish in comfort and style.

Pontoon boats are not the heaviest boats on the list, but their large size and big trailers are best suited for larger vehicles for driving stability.          

Dry weight vs. Package weight

The boat you want might not be included on the lists I’ve made.  If so, one of the biggest challenges you will face is finding accurate information and deciphering the numbers that manufactures make available.  

To make it more difficult, most boat manufacturers list dry weights only.  Here is what you need to know about dry weight vs. package weight.

• Dry weight is the weight of the boat without fluids, gear, trailer or motor (some include the motor weight in dry weight).

• Package weight includes the trailer, motor and boat.  

The majority of boat makers do not list package weights because they rarely supply the trailer.  In addition, you usually get to choose the brand and power of the motor which changes the overall package weight.

Here is a quick guide for comparing several four-stroke outboard motor weights:

• 30 hp:  180 lbs

• 60 hp:  260 lbs

• 150 hp:  430 lbs

• 225 hp:  575 lbs

On top of all that, you need to consider the weight of all fluids and gear before you start towing.  Many of the boats listed have 20 to 50 gallon fuel capacities.  Assuming you fill the tank before heading out to fish, the fuel adds considerable weight.  

To figure the weight of gas, multiply 6 pounds per gallon by the total fuel capacity.  Using that math, you can estimate that 50 gallons of fuel weighs about 300 pounds.

Your gear adds significant weight as well.  Tackle, coolers with ice, oars, battery, trolling motor, anchor and all other essentials need to be accounted for.  A rough estimate puts all that gear at around 200 pounds.

As a rule-of-thumb, add 500 pounds to the listed package weight (boat, trailer and motor) to get a realistic on-the-road tow weight. 

Trailer weight

Since most boat manufacturers don’t include trailers with their boats, it is difficult to get accurate package weights.  However, don’t fret too much.  Trailer weights are pretty standard and you can get a good estimate by using the following averages I compiled from my research:

• Average size, single axel, aluminum trailer:  600-900 lbs

• Average size, double axel, aluminum trailer:  900-1100 lbs

• Average size, single axel, steel trailer:  1000 lbs

• Average size, double axel, steel trailer:  1250 lbs

Keep in mind that these are just averages.  More exact weights are going to require a quick call to the boat dealer.  If they don’t have specifics on trailer weight, just ask for the make and model of the trailer and do your own research online.

Important towing considerations

Once you have a good idea of the total weight of your setup, get ready to hitch it up and hit the road.  Please be advised, towing anything on the road is dangerous if done incorrectly.  Proper preparation can save you frustration and possible harm.  Here are a few simple rules I highly encourage you to follow.

Rule #1:  Do not tow more than your vehicle is capable of.  Get familiar with your vehicle’s towing capabilities before you even make a fishing boat purchase.

Rule #2:  Balance the load properly.  When placing gear in your boat for the day’s adventure, it is safer to add it directly above, or slightly forward of, the trailer axels.  Never overload the back end of a trailer.  This will cause significant instability when traveling at high speeds.

Rule #3:  Make sure that your load is secure.  Strap the boat to the trailer and avoid putting loose items in the boat while towing.  It is not uncommon to see an improperly secured boat bounce off the trailer on a rough road.

Rule #4:  Determine if you need four-wheel drive.  Even if the ramps at your local fishing spots are well maintained with gentle slopes, four-wheel drive could still be needed.  This is especially true for saltwater locations or for bigger boats. 

Two-wheel drive will work in most locations.  If you are not sure whether or not you need four-wheel drive, I highly recommend reading another article of mine, “Do You need 4 Wheel Drive to Pull a Boat.”  It provides a good crash course on the benefits of four-wheel drive and loads of information on how to launch a boat without it.

Towing specifications for popular vehicles

As we already discussed, matching the towing capabilities of your vehicle to the boat is a must.  

If you already have a vehicle with adequate towing specifications for your boat, then you are all set.  For those of you in the market for a boat and a vehicle to tow it, here is a simple list of 16 popular vehicles and their tow ratings.

• Chevy Colorado:  3500-7000 lbs

• Chevy S10:  5200 lbs

• Chevy Silverado 1500:  13,000-14,500 lbs

• Chevy Suburban:  6300 lbs

• Dodge Durango:  6200 lbs

• Dodge Ram 2500:  10,350-15,080 lbs

• Ford F150:  5000-13,200 lbs

• Ford Explore:  5600 lbs

• GMC Sierre:  6500-9700 lbs

• GMC Yukon:  6300-8400 lbs

• Jeep Cherokee:  3500-7200 lbs

• Nissan Pathfinder:  6000 lbs

• Nissan Titan:  9400 lbs

• Subaru Outback:  2700 lbs

• Toyota Tacoma:  6400 lbs

• Toyota 4Runner:  5000 lbs

Exact towing capabilities depend on the specific model and tow package that each vehicle is outfitted with.  

To find the most accurate towing information for your vehicle, consult the owner’s manual or look at the vehicle specification sticker found on the inside edge of the driver-side door. 

Conclusion

Just remember, the weight of the boat, trailer and motor are important considerations when picking the right one.  Even if it is the perfect boat, you must be sure that your vehicle is capable of safely towing and launching it.

No fishing adventure is worth the risk of towing a boat that weighs too much for your vehicle.

The purchase of your first fishing boat is an exciting time and opens up all sorts of new opportunities.  You should also take a look at how much a fishing boat will cost before making any final decisions. Whether you want to troll for kokanee in a large reservoir or target big bass holding tight to cover, there is a boat for you.