I have done a search and can't seem to find anything about this subject. I am hoping that someone has some personal experience with this subject as I have been able to get a number of opinions (on other forums) which are great but no personal experience of any kind.......unfortunately! Here's what I am contemplating;

I am trying to figure out if I might be able to launch a SeaDoo Challenger 1800 with a Yamaha Rhino. The Rhino is only rated for 1400 Lbs Towing Capacity and the boat weighs about 1850....so I know it's heavier than rated but I have a very powerful Rhino (with Turbocharger, upgraded belt, clutch, etc..) so I'm not worried about the power but more the weight and being able to control the boat while backing into the water.....in other words will they both just slide into the water and keep going?

Any experience out there on anything similar.

I could certainly handle a SeaDoo Speedster (400 lbs lighter) with the Rhino but was looking for a little bit bigger boat as I will only have access to the Rhino for launching.

Here is a picture of the distance I am looking to cover (~ .2 Miles) while launching and recovering. There is probably a 50' grade from the launch ramp so I am thinking that I could also add a bag of cement or 2 into the bed of the rhino for additional traction but really looking for some real world experience. I've attached a picture of the area the boat will be stored/Launched (Havasu Palms on Lake Havasu). Any help and experience would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Assuming that is an average ramp (not very steep), it will be fine.

You can always just try and bring a truck just in case. Ours pulls about 3000lbs out up a steep ramp (VERY).

Getting in the water is far more complicated than getting out. You may experience a little slip and slide depending on how slick or steep your ramp is, but the worse case scenario is the boat hitting water and the rhino stopping at the water's edge. Just try to work the brakes if the tires lock up, pump them a little.

I'm not sure if your question has to do with actually pulling it that distance though. If that is your main concern, no need to fret, just be conscious of the tongue weight, which can be fixed with a longer trailer tongue.

Thank you very much. Actually I'm not at all concerned about the distance as it is very short I am most concerned about the traction launching as you mention. I am guessing that I will have no issues pulling it up the ramp....which is also a bit steep but with compound Low I'm guessing not an issue at least until I get it to level ground.

I do have use of my friends full size blazer if need be but hoping to use just the Rhino as I will at times fly in and not have my truck available.

Again thanks for your advice............anyone else out there with any experience on this?

I use to launch my 25ft eliminator daytona with out a problem It can be done but you will need to put some weight in the front it is not need in the rear and i had toungh wight of 900 pounds and the boat and trailer weighted in around 6k

I am amazed that you were able to launch a 25' Eliminator with a Rhino

Did it ever try to drag you into the water when launching?

Where did you do this?

Impressive......any issues with the trailer recepticle??

i use to launch up in needles on the river you would just have to make sure that it was in 4 wheel low and had the parking brake on and just go slow and no problems with it and i launched atleast twice every weekend all summer long and i go at least 3 weekends a month and never had any problems with the rhino

Been launching boats with a bone stock rhino since 05'. Also used Teryx's, Artic Cats, even a Gayzer for jet skiis. Even used a 1983 Yamaha G3 gas powered golf cart for years, no worries.

All shapes and sizes, weights and lengths. And I mean all sizes.


Never had any issues.

Suggest keeping a nice chock-block aka wheel block handy, its a good safety tool, just in case.


Other than that, sail on! Your Rhino can handle that litttle Mazda Miata ski boat ezy!

Very cool.....thank you.

After the feedback here I went for the 18' version and will give it a try in a couple of weeks when we head back out.

Cheers!!!

They did it with a 2WD Predator. I think it would be easier with a Rhino.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J961MiGNcE...player_embedded

Alot of guys at the boat drags launch with them. All are 18' range jetboats, flatbottoms and hydros. Have never seen anyone have a problem and these ramps are not always the best.