Fishing on the lake is more effective when you have a bass boat. You may wonder why. There are several reasons such as being first in reaching the best fishing spot, going to hard-to-reach areas, and gaining control while trolling.
Upon knowing the benefits, there’s no doubt you want to buy one. Naturally, you’ll have questions before purchasing. Just like ‘How much does a bass boat weigh?’
The weight of bass ranges from 1,500 to 7,000 pounds which only consists of dry weight. There may be extra things that can increase the numbers and you can become aware of them by reading this article.
Table of Contents
Some Things that May Constitute the Bass Boat Weight
Motor
As expected, the motor’s load is significant in this matter. Getting the right motor size is not the main topic in this article. However, you should know the boat size and its capacity as they are connected with weight.
To set an example, an 18-foot bass boat weighs around 460 pounds together with a 150HP motor. Nonetheless, this is not the definite digits as it will change based on your needs.
Fuel
Most bass boats won’t operate if there’s no gas. Know that each gallon equals 6.1 pounds. If you want to determine the weight when you go full tank, you can multiply the fuel to your tank’s capacity.
The capacity of a full fuel tank is 39 gallons. Doing the math will give you a total of 237 pounds for fuel alone when making it full.
Materials
The materials that are used to complete the bass boat also contribute to its weight. Fiberglass and aluminum are the main materials when making bass boats.
Each of them has pros and cons to watch out for when it comes to their contribution in increasing the boat’s weight. Fiberglass is relatively heavy in construction so it needs to be launched on deep water.
Consider the weight of the fiberglass for towing your boat. On the other hand, bass boats made of aluminum pave the way to fishing on shallow waters like lakes due to its lightness. However, they create noise and thus, can drive fish away.
Batteries
These are used for the boat motor to work. In most cases, one or two deep cycle batteries are required in bass boats. Each battery weighs around 70 pounds, so if you have two, it will sum up to 140 pounds.
Anchor
An anchor makes you stay in a certain area as you please. Aside from its weight, you shouldn’t forget its chain. Generally, there will be another 10 to 20 pounds from this accessory.
Tackle Box
It’s a box for fishing where you can keep the essential items. You may think about getting a big box but don’t forget about its weight and the space it can take up. For your reference, a medium box weighs around 10 to 20 pounds.
Fishing Rod
Of course, you’ll need this when you go fishing with your bass boat. Typically, a single rod weighs 30 pounds. Know how many rods you can put in without crowding your boat.
Jack Plate
Those who go fishing on shallow water sometimes use a jack plate. But it means another load that is roughly 60 pounds.
Cooler
You may spend the whole day in your bass boat. Thus, hunger and thirst arise after long hours. So, some refreshments in a cooler would make you feel better. Your safest bet is a 24-pound medium-sized cooler.
Another purpose of having a cooler on board is storing ice, which will be used to preserve the freshness of your catch.
Life Jacket
A 2-pound of life saver won’t hurt if you add it to your bass boat. It’s best to be ready in case something comes up.
Trailer
A trailer is what you need to get your boat out of the water. It’s also used for storage and taking your boat back into the water. There are different trailers with different weights.
You have to get the right size of trailer that is suitable for your bass boat. Options vary from 500 to 1,100 pounds.
Some Popular Fishing Boats to Give You Ideas About a Boat’s Length and Weight
In this part, you’ll focus on the dry weight. Moreover, you’ll be particular about the weight of a boat with a certain length. Here are some popular fishing boats for you to use as a basis when comparing.
Bass Cat Jaguar (21 feet and 5 inches) – 2 150 pounds
Charger 210 Elite (20 feet and 10 inches) – 1 900 pounds
Ranger 1880 MS (18 feet and 10 inches) – 2 290 pounds
2018 Tracker Pro 170 (16 feet and 8 inches) – 878 pounds
2017 Nitro Z18 (18 feet and 8 inches) – 1 700 pounds
2017 Tracker Pro Team 175 TF (17 feet and 7 inches) – 1 010 pounds
2016 Nitro Z20 (20 feet and 2 inches) – 2 000 pounds
What is listed here are only seven of the bass boats that are sold in the market. As you can notice, there are several differences. How much more if you check dozens of bass boats?
Tow Weight Vs. Load Weight
You can only identify the tow weight after you’ve bought the boat. The bass boat is ready for the scale if it has a full fuel tank and is loaded with the necessary gear. Then, take it to a truck for weighing.
The maximum capacity of the bass boat is composed of the total weight of the gas, gear, passengers, and everything on board.
It is set by the manufacturer after determining the hull’s dimension and volume as well as the weight of an engine or outboard motor.
How about the load weight? First of all, you have to know The Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 of the US Coast Guard.
This act states that boats smaller than 20 feet and operated by outboard, inboard, or stern drive engines are required to bear a capacity that shows their safe load limits.
Although the law doesn’t restrict you to solely stick to the recommended capacity, you shouldn’t exceed because it can be unsafe. This action will nullify your insurance coverage if you’re caught going over limitations.
After all, the load weight doesn’t interfere with the tow weight. As you can imagine, you don’t haul your bass boat with people in it. Thus, it’s fine to have stuff and gear inside the vessel before proceeding to the boat ramp.
There will be no hurdles as you don’t have to take into account the weight of all passengers. Normally, you can’t expect it to be the same all the time.
Can I Tow My Bass Boat By Using a Truck or SUV
This is a good question as it’s an important factor when deciding what bass boat to buy. You should foresee that your vehicle can handle its weight when towing.
It’s common knowledge that trucks and SUVs are used as towing vehicles for boats. However, some boaters use a car with the help of tow hitches.
Serious mechanical issues are found in the motor or transmission when a vehicle pulls a certain weight that exceeds its capability. Thus, you should be responsible and check its capacity.
Get some ideas among these popular trucks and their tow specs:
Toyota Tachoma – 6,500 to 6,800 lbs.
Chevy Colorado – around 7,000 lbs.
Nissan Titan – around 9,000 lbs.
Toyota Tundra – around 10,000 lbs.
Dodge Ram – around 10,600 lbs.
GMC Sierra – around 12,000 lbs.
Ford F150 – around 12,000 lbs.
Chevy Silverado 1500 – around 12,500 lbs.
The capability of these trucks can vary when new models are released. You can consult a dealership for upgrades.
Conclusion
Buying a bass boat can be an adventure. Math is involved in the process as you would think of the question, ‘How much does a bass boat weigh?’. It will give you a better understanding of the proper way of towing, storing, and choosing a suitable dolly for your boat.
Don’t hesitate to inquire about different bass boats in stores. It’s always good to ask questions to get the best deal without making the mistake of getting a bass boat that is too big for your vehicle.
I am passionate about water sports and technical fields, so combining both makes me interested in making contents about boat accessories. With my partner, we went on many trips and sports games together, which led us to think about how we can spread our joys and passions to many people.