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Message board > Care & maintenance > Towing a Pilot 20

Message 12 of 12
Posted by member Calum Norris on Wednesday 28 April 2021

Hi there, totally agree with Gary. Thought of a couple of occasions when towing limits are not what they seem firstly I went to launch a 15ft Picton speedboat with a 60 horse outboard, probably 750kg tops and 250 kg trailer. While reversing down the slipway using a Land Rover discovery tdi the entire rig took off seaward and began to jackknife. The only way I could recover the situation was to get it into first and boot it. Thankfully the tyres, being four wheel drive, got through the crud and stopped the decent. It then had to bunny hop it’s way up to better ground, after which we had to rope the trailer to lower it. The discovery had a towing weight of 3500kg, means nothing with no grip. The second worthy situation involved towing my very heavy Picton 20 over the Mam Ratagen pass to bring it home, again with the discovery. As mentioned the boat was 1800kg dry weight and the trailer would be about 500kg so fully loaded I would suspect 2500kg. As we came to the steep decent from Glenelg to Shiel bridge I always test the brakes. All well trailer kicked in etc. I continued down what is effectively a 1 in 1 decent. Within about 0.5 of a mile the trailer brakes were smoking and I had to brake fairly hard on the disco’s brakes to control the rig. Within a short period the Disco’s brakes faded and I was left with the handbrake, I luckily realised what was about to happen and managed to drop a gear before I lost braking. The brakes had to cool so I had to continue with the handbrake as a back up. Not a good one as aggressive use will destroy the gearbox. Thankfully it was off season and we did not meet another car(did I mention it is mostly single track) the brakes returned as we coasted along the lower section and were back 100% by Shiel Bridge. Both vehicle and trailer were in good order at start of trip but this stuff happens and anyone towing should be able to cope with it. Had I met another vehicle I would have used the handbrake and written off the gearbox. My point is that even towing well within your weight can sometimes go wrong. For the OP I guess I would recommend a FP and a better towing vehicle than an 18. Also get a good survey in either case as the plywood matrix can become sodden with water adding a serious amount of weight to the bare hull, an unseen addition, I knocked back a boat due to this issue which later sold for very good money, despite it’s unseen issues!!!!!!

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Message 11 of 12
Posted by member Gary on Sunday 25 April 2021

I recently bought a Navigator and towed in 200 miles home on a good twin axle trailer. No issues with my jeep rated for 3500kg. I've a lot of experience towing car trailers, have hgv 1 licence and a previous white cap wearer on the thin blue line. As previously stated there's a big difference between what a car can tow and really should tow. How would it handle an emergency stop, hill start or wet steep slipway? variables too, single or twin axle, trailers own weight(500-700kg) balance, centre of gravity. All things considered i personally wouldn't recommend a pilot with your current car.

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Message 10 of 12
Posted by member Calum Norris on Sunday 25 April 2021

Hi all. I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but I have seen a relatively light caravan turn a 110 defender on it’s side due to several things conspiring against the situation. I have towed many extreme loads and would always aim to tow well under specified loads if possible. If not then by all means alter your own limits, I have towed a 30ft x 11ft clinker built boat and worked within my defender 90 limits. All went well till I towed through a narrow’ish road with a police Freelander three car’s behind. Following a traffic police inspection I was offered a few options, none of which were acceptable, I ended up getting a blue light escort from ardlui to crianlarich in order to continue our trip to RAF Kinross. Towing is one of those things that can go really well or horribly wrong. Please bare in mind it not simply o.k. To trog on at 40 mph as you are going to cause a danger as people WILL overtake probably not at the best time!!! If you want to tow do it with knowledge and ability. Hope this helps.

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Message 9 of 12
Posted by member Robert Sneddon on Thursday 22 April 2021

Hi Derek
I tow with a diesel Vitara. Getting a little bit older now but the diesel pulls like a train. I agree with Calum, the Hardy is not very aero dynamic and when fully loaded you want to keep it within a safe towing weigh in relation to your vehicle.
As you know there can be a huge difference between the weight of an empty boat and one that’s fully loaded. It also depends on the size of engine you require and the amount of fuel you need to carry.
Good luck in your search.
Regards
Robert

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Message 8 of 12
Posted by member Derek Simpson on Wednesday 21 April 2021

Calum, many thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I have only ever towed an inflatable before so all advice is most welcome.

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Message 7 of 12
Posted by member Calum Norris on Wednesday 21 April 2021

Hi Derek, it is not just the weight of the Hardy but also the amount of windage/drag that is produced when towing. For example I have towed my Hardy FP from Chichester to Amble in Northumberland and then up to our house near Skye. It towed beautifully but I do have a Range Rover. I then towed a much heavier Picton 20ft powerboat back to my home in Kelso. The difference between the two was very marked in that the Picton was barely noticeable while towing and cost much less in fuel despite being 800kg’s heavier. With that in mind I would personally not tow that close to the vehicles max weight bearing in mind the wear and tear on clutch and suspension that would occur. Also boats once fully loaded often weigh quite a bit more than their rated weight. That said I don’t think there would be a huge difference in weight or indeed drag between an 18ft or a 20ft Hardy.

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Message 6 of 12
Posted by member Derek on Wednesday 21 April 2021

Gary, thanks for your message, the boat in Largs is a long way from me but I have made enquiries about it, sadly it’s not for me.
Regards, Derek

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Message 5 of 12
Posted by member Derek on Wednesday 21 April 2021

Robert, what car do you tow with?
Regards
Derek

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Message 4 of 12
Posted by member Derek on Tuesday 20 April 2021

VW Tiguan 1500 petrol, not 4W

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Message 3 of 12
Posted by member Robert Sneddon on Tuesday 20 April 2021

Hi Derek
I tow a HP20. What type of vehicle do you have.
Regards
Robert

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Message 2 of 12
Posted by member Gary on Tuesday 20 April 2021

Don't know your location but there's a Navigator for sale in Largs Scotland

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Message 1 of 12
Posted by member Derek Simpson on Tuesday 20 April 2021

I've been looking for a Navigator, small but I want to tow easily and safely. No success as yet so I'm widening my search to include the Pilot 20. My car is rated 1800k for towing. Advice from experienced towers would be welcome.

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