1994 Baja 260 towing question.
 

Will I have any problems getting a 1994 baja 260 out of the water with a 2wd Suburban or a 1/2 ton extended cab 2wd truck? I noticed that there are several 260 owners on this list and thought I could get some input. I had a Rinker 232 (4400 pounds) and had no problems.

Thanks for any help.

Brian

In case anyone is interested here is a pic in front of the old owners house.

You shouldn't have a problem. I have a 272 and I use a 98 GMC Yukon with 5.7 in it. Only had to use 4-wheel drive one time. You should not have a problem!:D

NO Problem, just keep the rear wheels out of the water. You may run into a problem on a wet grade if your tread is low. Other than that, I've never experienced any trouble where I had to put it in 4wd. I tow a 4600lb 26' boat.

I have an 89' 265 Baja.(4800lbs) Pull it it with a 96' Chev 1500.

Ease your retievals. Don't pull in drive/overdrive. Put truck in low1 or 2.

I believe towing cap. on a 2wd 1/2 ton is probably around 5800-6000lbs. I don't know what size motor you have(in truck) ? When you add gear and fuel and water(fresh) to the weight it adds up quickly. A smaller engine may have to work. You should probably get or have a towing package(tranny cooler,etc) comes in handy on longer hauls.

Yes , I've seen people haul 7-8000lbs with a 1/2ton but that's brutality ! and not very safe (braking/stability wise)

Thanks for the info.
 

Thanks guys, my suburban 1999 with 5.7 tows the boat fine for driving, also my 1999 1/2 ton extended cab 2wd with 5.3 tows fine. My only concern was getting the boat up the ramp. It sounds like I won't have a problem based on what everyone is saying. I had no problems with either truck with the old 232. The 260 seems to have more tongue weight which probably helps on getting it out of the water.

Thanks.
Brian

I have a '93 260 and pull it with a '94 2WD Suburban. Never a problem. I always pull it out of the water just as slow as possible so the V has time to center itself on the trailer. Unless the ramps you use are unusually steep or slimey you have nothing to be concerned with. Nice looking boat. Did you buy it with the crate motor or did you put it in yourself?

I bought the boat with the motor in it. The winter of 2001 it was not winterized properly, this spring the guy replaced the motor, exhaust maifolds, put silent choice on it, replaced the water pump, starter, alternator, flywheel. He said while itwas out he was going to replace everything.
He gave me receipts for about 8K with the boat just for this year. I think the sale of the boat was the result of a divorce. He also threw in three stainless props, Mirage Plus 25, Hydromotive 23, and a turbo 23. I think I was in the right place at the right time.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you pay for it. Sounds like you were in the right place at the right time. Nice boat! What speed have you seen. Or have you had it out yet?:confused:

Sorry posted the wrong pic for the motor.
I paid low 20s for the boat, sold 23 foot rinker for almost the same amount I paid for a 26 foot Baja. I have not had it out yet other then a test ride with the old owner. We got 58mph (GPS) with the Hydomotive prop on it, which from what I can tell will slow the top end on this boat due to stern lift, trimming the outdrive did not change speed with prop, so I figure with a Mirage plus I will get 3 or 4 mph.
He gave me a 25 Mirage plus with the boat but he said it would only turn 42oo rpm with that prop. If I can get the boat into the mid 60s I will be happy.

Here is a pic of the crate motor.

I haul my 280 Velocity with a 1996 2 wd, 1500 Suburban with the 350 engine. No problems on the road or ramps. I did add a tranny cooler and I use mobil one oil.

You may pick up a little with a different prop but I doubt if it will be 3 or 4 mph. My 260 with a 502 does 61.2 gps in 2ft chop with a 24 Bravo 1. at 4800 rpm. It also has a lot of stern lift. On flat water it struggles to hit 60. I have never tried a good 23 three blade prop. I tried one that was not in the best of shape and got so much porpoising that I had to use the tabs and that killed the speed. I could turn that to about 5100 rpm. Stern lift on a 260 is good for best all around use. You get a better ride and the holeshot is awesome. I am going to try an 800cfm Holley carb this year. I am hoping it will run stronger than with the Weber 750 that was off the stock 7.4L. Good luck.

Macdad260,

Thanks for the information. Did you try a hydromotive by any chance? I wonder how it compares to a Bravo prop. I have the hydormotive sold, maybe I should hang onto it. Is this boat known for porpoising real bad? I did not do much research on this boat when I bought it. I liked the look and it has about the best cockpit room for a boat this size I have seen.

Any pics of your boat?

Thanks
Brian

Macdad260,
One more question, any idea how large the fuel tank is on this boat?

Brian