I pulled a Prindle 16 for a couple of years with '78 Westy and didn't have
any trouble at all.  Of course I cruise kinda slowly, never over 70.

Patrick
85 Westy currently pulling a Hobie 18.  Never over 75

----- Original Message -----
From: "Addison Leplatte" <aleplatte@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 4:36 PM
Subject: Of Buses Towing Boats (kayaks & racks)

> Well i can finally add my.02 worth..
> Towing a boat with a Vanagon is governed by a simple rule...
> VW's can carry an Elephant on the inside but can't pull a Chihuhua.
> I had an 82 air cooled and ordered the hitch  (attaches to the
> tow hooks) to pull a Siren 17 sailboat (max gross weight 1200 lbs)..I
killed the bus coming back from Panama City Florida..heard a loud whirring
flapping noise coming from the cv axles in the rear and she never ran right
after the trip..So I bought a Dodge Grand Caravan..great power but a poor
camper..
> So I bought a 1.9 84 Vanagon .. I tried my Quick'n'Easy racks and they
worked but I prefer my Yakima 1a towers with a pair of 78" bars..
> Can you pull a boat? Sure.. but comfortably and safely uphill; nothing
over 500 lbs total weight if you are doing it regularly over distances of
100 miles roundtrip..Can it be done with more? Sure..all it takes is time,
money and attention..(I thought the idea was to have fun)..This leaves the
following possible list of boats for sailors: You'll get the idea
> 1)WestWight potter 15
> 2)Dovekie
> 3)Siren (I'm biased)
> For power boats any aluminium johnboat or skiff in the sub 17ft range..
> Finally to make life fun if you need your water and bus fix
> Yakima (or Thule) gutter mount uprights, 78" or 96" racks, extensions if
you have a camper and your favorite kayak or canoe on top...
> Final note if you stick with Paddlecraft thats one less thing that needs
maintenance (gas oil rigging etc...)
>
> See you sailing
> Addison
> PADDLEVAN
>