Help a Newbie with some decision making...
#21
Registered
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Had a 35 cafe, a 35 fountain, and a 311 formula side by side in the lot yesterday. The 311 still looked big lol. 35 fountain is a small boat. But I agree just upgrade the truck. No reason to buy a 1/2 ton, they don't get that much better mileage, they have smaller brakes, lighter suspension etc. why bother?
#22
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ny
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You will have no problem with pulling a 32 with twins as long as the brakes on the trailer are in good working order. Safety is all about breaking ability/stability not about how easy you can get up to speed and climb a grade because you have a diesel. I would even go as far to say if the Denali is rated at 12000 pounds towing capacity I think a 35 lightning is in that neighborhood but I could be wrong. In a perfect world everyone who tows a boat would have a 3/4 ton or bigger diesel truck but it's not in everyone's budget. Just would hate to see someone not get the boat they want when they could have.At the end of the day you need to be comfortable pulling whatever you buy down the road.
#23
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I tow a 98 35 Fountain Lighning with a Toyota Tundra with no problems, the trailer is equipped with surge brakes all the way around. And gets 11mpg at 65mph. The cockpit and cabin on my boat are small, I had a 27 Formula with more usable space in the cabin, but this boat is much faster than the Formula.
#24
Forum Regulator
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/prop.gif)
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Additional details are needed on many aspects here.
Twin BBC in anything = 3/4 truck in almost every single case; whether the specs say so or not.
#26
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
if you're sticking with a 1500 then stick with a smaller boat. There is nothing wrong with getting an older duramax for the same price as a new gas 1500, and you will be way happier that you did. Plus, in 5 years the new 1500 will be worth less than the used duramax.
#28
Registered
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
He said Sierra Denali, which is the pickup truck. The Sierra Denali is a TRIM level, which can now be ordered on 1500-3500 trucks.
Additional details are needed on many aspects here.
Twin BBC in anything = 3/4 truck in almost every single case; whether the specs say so or not.
Additional details are needed on many aspects here.
Twin BBC in anything = 3/4 truck in almost every single case; whether the specs say so or not.
#29
Forum Regulator
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/prop.gif)
#30
Registered
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I agree with most people here - get a Duramax 2500! I have a 33' Scarab with twin 500's - similar to what you're looking for. Dry weight is 8,400lbs, and trailer is exactly 3,000lbs. So, if you add in all the other crap in the boat (some gas, an anchor, etc.), you're at or over 12,000lbs. I tried pulling it with a half ton Yukon a couple of times, and it didn't do well. I would assume the 35 Fountain will be pretty close to this. Even if you downgraded to something in the 30 foot range, the twins are still going to command a lot of weight. Get the diesel now and save yourself the headache!