215 Express Cruiser & Trailer Weight

C

cjwr

New Member
Aug 28, 2009
4
New Jersey
Boat Info
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I'm hoping/planning to buy a 215 Express Cruiser (97-00 year range) next fall (2010), and I'm just trying to figure some things out ahead of time.

The biggest concern I have right now is how heavy (roughly of course) the 215 loaded on it trailer would be. I live about 20-30 miles from where I plan to use the boat, so I just want to ensure that the weight is such that I would be able to tow it without any problems.

In addition, this would be my first boat, so any additional advice you could give would be appreciated.

Thanks all,

cjwr
 
my 215 came in over 5,500 lbs. loaded, I believe with the trailer I had.
You have to check for the specific trailer.
 
My '00 was a couple pounds under 6,000lbs on a certified scale.

Look at Sea Ray's website for the specs, account for fuel, water, batteries, etc. Add in what you want to add in (gear). Find your trailer and add the weight of that.
 
hmm, I was hoping for about 5,000 lb at max. what vehicles do you guys use to tow your boats with?
 
I used to use a '98 Durango with the 5.2L. The newer ones would do much better than what mine did - it was maxed out. An older Tahoe with the 5.7L would be fine. My current tow rig is in my sig.
 
do you think a Dakota with the 4.7L would do it, or do I need to get a Ram with the 5.7L?

I tried going to searay.com to look up the 215 express cruiser, but the only 215 they had under older models was the 215 weekender. Is this the same boat but with a different name? I'm guessing it is about the same size (pics look about the same), but same size does not mean same weight of course.
 
You have to actually go the link for "older models". Do not look at the one they show for 2001 - the "Weekender" is a different hull and heavier. IIRC, dry weight (boat only) on my '00 was 3,800lbs.

A Dakota can do (very similar to the Durango). The 4.7L will be a bit better than my 5.2L. Make sure you have the 3.92 rear end. It'll still struggle on the hills, though - there might be times when you're downshifting to 2nd gear (in an automatic). But, it'll depend on your load inside the vehicle, and of course how heavy you load the boat.
 
My 2001 215EC we actually bought the boat and trailer from Peters Marine in PA.
It was over 5,000 lbs back then (5,500). So I borrowed my brothers RAM truck (rated 7,500 lbs) for the trip to Baltimore down the mountains.

When we got local here in Baltimore, we just used our Nisson SUV (rated 5,000 lbs) for a short, rather flat, 11 mile trip to the ramp a few times. No problems, but overweight.
Then we decided to skip the trailering business and put her in a boatel at a marina. Made life a lot easier!

Lee
 
I pulled mine from Indianapolis to Atlanta with a Mercedes ML 320 (3.2 liter V-6) rated for 4500 lb trailer weight. The trailer brakes were inop and I have to admit that down the mountain passes I kept close track of the run-a-way truck ramps.

I fixed the trailer brakes, and now it trailers very well. I have locked up a trailer wheel during one panic stop, but the stopping distance barely exceeded the no-trailer distance. I use the granny gear on the boat ramps and have never felt a tire slip.
 
s e a r a y s p o r t b o at s 2 0 0 1
2 1 5 e x p r e s s c r u i s e r​
overall length 21' 6" 6.55 m
w/opt. Extended
swim platform 23' 4" 7.1 m
beam 8' 6" 2.59 m
draft
(stern drive down) 37" 94 cm
(stern drive up) 20" 50.8 cm
dry weight 3,800 lbs 1,724 kg
fuel capacity 50 gal 189.3 l
water capacity 8 gal 30.3 l
dead rise 18º 18º
max persons/weight 8/1,400 lbs 635 kg
(mwc) max weight​
persons/gear 1,800 lbs 816.5 kg
 
Depending on your Dakota you can tow up to about 7000lbs. Sounds like a real world weight is between 5500-6000 depending on options/trailer. Given that I think you're fine if you have your truck setup with the correct towing package for the 4.7.
 
Had ours about 6 months now and havent had any towing issues. I have a 04 F150 4.6 v8 short bed. Never spin a tire at ramp and the wife is getting the hang of it. The only thing we did was to have a reese hitch put on. We only go a couple of miles to the ramp at the intercoastal so even with tides at hi or low doesnt matter. Just installed smart tabs this week end and havent tryed her yet. Enjoy:grin:
 
cjwr said:
I'm hoping/planning to buy a 215 Express Cruiser (97-00 year range) next fall (2010), and I'm just trying to figure some things out ahead of time.

The biggest concern I have right now is how heavy (roughly of course) the 215 loaded on it trailer would be. I live about 20-30 miles from where I plan to use the boat, so I just want to ensure that the weight is such that I would be able to tow it without any problems.

In addition, this would be my first boat, so any additional advice you could give would be appreciated.

Thanks all,

cjwr
Click to expand...

I have a 2004 215, figure the total weight boat full fuel and trailer at max of 7200-7500 lbs, this should be close enough. I pull mine with a 2009 Ford F150 with the heavy duty towing package and the 5.4 litre engine. The truck maxes out at 10,400 lbs. With my truck in "tow mode" it pulls the boat easy with lots of power left over. Ford is really trying to move out the 2009 models so there is some real good deals on these trucks here in Canada, no down payment and 0% financing. Good luck, by the way, I think you will really like the 215, great little boat.
 
Lazy Daze said:
A Dakota can do (very similar to the Durango). The 4.7L will be a bit better than my 5.2L. Make sure you have the 3.92 rear end. It'll still struggle on the hills, though - there might be times when you're downshifting to 2nd gear (in an automatic). But, it'll depend on your load inside the vehicle, and of course how heavy you load the boat.
Click to expand...

I have a 99 210 BR, although slightly different boat, I pulled it for he last year and a half with an '06 Durango with the 4.7. My dry weight is 3500 lbs, so about 300 lbs lighter. With trailer, fuel and gear i am figuring just at or a little over 5000 lbs. I can tell you the 4.7 will pull it. I always used the tow/haul feature when trailering. Although it will will pull it, it was at about the max for what I woiuld pull with that setup. About half of the 30 miles to the ramp is back roads with some hills, with the other half highway. Always felt a little under powered on the highway and coming up some of the hills but did ok. It always seemed to want to push the Durango through turns instead of the Durango pulling the boat through. Not sure how long your commute to the ramp is, but I was not comfortable pushing mine more than 30 to 50 miles at a time. When trailering farther I used a Dodge Ram 1500 with a Hemi. The longer wheel base on the Ram made a world of difference in over all ride. There was a lot less bounce and the truck pulled the boat and did not feel like the trailer wanted to push the car like it does sometimes with the Durango. Never had a problem on the ramp with the Durango and for the short commute to the local lake it worked fine. If you are going to be hauling longer distances then I may look at something with a longer wheelbase and a wider stance than the Dakota. Just my .02. I am currently looking for a SUV/truck to replace my Durango now, and would like to have a Suburban, but may end up with a Tahoe (wife does not like trucks and she will be driving it mostly when not pulling the boat).
 
thank you everyone for your advice.

It is a good 20-25 miles from me to the ocean (mostly highway).

Since the boat will be used in saltwater, which engine would be best? One other option might be storing the boat in a marina in the summer (which from what I've learned here on the forum makes it very important to have the right engine). I've heard about Alpha and Bravo drives, but would be best for this application?

Thanks everyone.
 
I tow a 99 EC with a volvo xc90 v8. I've towed it long distance 120 plus miles with no problem. I do not have trailer brakes. It's a heavy boat to tow but the 4 wheel trailer makes it a good ride on bumpy roads and hwy. On steep inclines just take it in second/third gear.
You will feel the boat/trailer weight pulling out of boat launches, especially steep launches with uneven/wet conditions. be sure to have 4 low or 4 wheel traction control activated and it shouldnt be a problem.
 
I towed once about 20 miles with a 99 Ford Explorer V8 rated at 5000lbs with a towing package. It towed it - but it was probably about at it's limit. I towed it for service work.
 
That boat on a tandem axle trailer will have aprox 10% tongue weight when decently balanced. When hooked up to the Dakota, you'll want the hitch height to be level to slightly raised. When pulling you'll want to keep the trans from hunting between gears or you'll smoke it. So keep it outa overdrive(assuming you have an automatic).

You might want to shop for some air bags or hd rear springs for the Dakota.

Another option would be get a bigger truck now. See, cause, the first boat is always the smaller one! ...Ron
 
BonBini said:
Another option would be get a bigger truck now. See, cause, the first boat is always the smaller one! ...Ron
Click to expand...

See, now there's a man who's been around the block a few times and is thinking ahead!:smt001

Staylor: Are you seriously saying you tow a 6,000lb boat without any trailer brakes???? I'm not trying to be condescending - just a voice of reason - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get some brakes on those axles! That is a huge accident just waiting to happen. I'm not sure about the laws in your state, but in PA you MUST have brakes on both axles. Regardless of the law, it is SEVERELY unsafe to be driving like that.


CJWR: How 'ya making out? Engines... I had the 5.0L EFI 240HP with the Alpha. It struggled a bit with a full load and skiing. I added trim tabs and it made a world of difference. Fuel economy was great. The Bravo III would help all around - just gotta stay up on the maintenance a bit more (keep a good eye on anodes and consider adding a Mercathode, if it doesn't already have it, if it will stay in the water).
 
Last edited:
Boat and trailer is approx 5000 lbs. not 6000.. my bad. Volvo XC90 V8 is rated for 5000 tow. It's a heavy SUV, approx 5000 lbs. The same weight as a Ford 150 and equal horespower. The trailer has emergency lock up brakes
 
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