Thoughts on towing a Cruisecraft to Cairns from Brisbane

[Almako]

Hi all will be heading to The Cape next year for 5 weeks. Am considering taking the Cruise Craft 625 Explorer as far as Cairns and trying to get some fishing done whilst up there.

Just wondering from those who have been there before should I bother? Do I have enough time for both? Where in Cairns could I store it for a few weeks and pick it up on my way back?

Would love to have a boat I could take further but funds won't allow me to get another one.

[Steve villani]

Hi all will be heading to The Cape next year for 5 weeks. Am considering taking the Cruise Craft 625 Explorer as far as Cairns and trying to get some fishing done whilst up there.

Just wondering from those who have been there before should I bother? Do I have enough time for both? Where in Cairns could I store it for a few weeks and pick it up on my way back?

Would love to have a boat I could take further but funds won't allow me to get another one.Honestly, I would just hire one when I got there.
Even if you are driving anyway, 1800ks each way with a hefty boat on the back makes for a big trip.
Personally, I'd take my own gear, and hire the boats.

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[Dirtyfuzz]

Yeah I’d just do a couple of charters, probably work out cheaper, especially if you blow out a tyre or two or worse!


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[PixieAU]

Agree with above. Think of how long it takes to recon your local area let alone somewhere different. Also doesn't take much change in weather to ruin a boating trip. Long way to tow it but not use it (speaking from exact same experience)

[scottar]

As above. If you were staying in Cairns for a month - for sure but the savings on fuel alone will pay for a few trips on charters - with a lot more flexibility around the weather. The Cruisy probably isn't the pick of craft to chase barra round an estuary if it's a bit breezy offshore.

[upstart]

You could tow it to Airlie and leave it there. Can still get around the islands a bit if it's blowy.

[Noelm]

I guess to look at realistically, to tow a big boat like that, even with limited stops, and a couple of drivers, plus no trailer "issues" is going to take at least 2 days each way (but probably 3) that is a fair chunk out of your trip, and that's assuming you don't stop and use the boat on the way up and back.

[Stressless]

It's a long tow, particularly if you come when it's blowing 25knots, or tropical downpours with scuds of 35k.

There are storage yards with good security.

Also a few good charter boats up here specialising in bottom bashing, pelagics, marlin etc etc etc.

I've just sold my reef boat

[TREVELLY]

We towed my boat from Lucinda near Cairns (6.25m plate boat) on the back of the V8 diesel landcruiser and did not even know it was there however if towed on the back of Nissan Patrol (4.2l diesel) I know it would be a nuisance and cost 50% more in fuel.
If you have a rig that tows it easily and readily - personally I would not have an issue to Cairns
Whilst we were there the winds blew from the SE at 20 to 30 knots night and day for a week and the locals said it probably will for the next 6 weeks - so that is a risk to throw into the mix as mentioned by others

[Almako]

Thanks for the feedback. Lots to think about though i'm not a fan of charters as it takes the self achievement out of it.
I really just need a tinny for the creeks I think.

[Funchy]

https://boabboats.com.au/cairns

[NAGG]

& here I am towing my 6.15 Barcrusher from Sydney to Lucinda for 1 weeks fishing next month ......::) gotta have a sense of adventure .

Chris

[Lucky_Phill]

FWIW..... charters in NQ are not the same as SEQ. And you can also get Guides in one on one tinnies around the estuaries.

Good luck either way :)

cheers

[Lovey80]

& here I am towing my 6.15 Barcrusher from Sydney to Lucinda for 1 weeks fishing next month ......::) gotta have a sense of adventure .

Chris

Just a tinny mate calm down. ;D

[BigE]

Did the Brisvagas to Bowen run the last 2 yrs running, it's not without it's challenge but very doable.

you will need to be able to tow at the speed limit safely , once you get north the overtaking lanes dry up real quick. i was able to ensure the boat and tow vehicle were loaded correctly and well balanced and i stripped down all the clears to reduce the wind drag. The trip went well and i averaged 13.5 litres per 100km for the round trip. factors that would guide my decision would be

need to be able to tow at the speed limit
have a two way to talk to the trucks and grey nomads
new bearings before the trip
check and adjust brakes ( you should be able to do an emergency stop from 100kph if you cannot you should not consider this type of tow)
load the vehicles using scales and do everything you can to reduce wind drag and effect.
plan your trip including stops
take some spares and tools

most of all make good decisions stop when tired check the rig regularly dont take risks.


BigE

mos

[BigE]

Oh almost forgot

Holden Colorado (2014) and a Yalta 2200 fisherman.

BigE

[brett62]

Towing the boat to Cairns is no big deal if you are set up for the tow. Lived there most of my life and if you want to go out to the reef forget the charter boats. Towed 19 ft boats to the cape with no problems. Can give you some marks if you want for the Cairns area. Have boat will travel is the approach to take and don't understand what the issue is. Yep you may get there and the conditions may not be perfect but that's life.

[Noelm]

Yep, agree the actual tow is not earth stopping, IF you were towing for a couple of weeks fishing holiday, but (in my opinion) this is different because he wants to tow the boat to possibly use on the way to the cape, so time spent towing, using and storing comes out of the original planned trip, if you get what I mean.

[wags on the water]

I towed my 625 Cruisey to Dingo Beach at Xmas as we were up north for 3 weeks. Boat 2.7T towed very nicely and ranged between 18.9 to 23.9L/100km for the total trip. Unfortunately our boys developed chicken pox on day 2 when the weather was variable to 10 leading up to xmas day, then it was 25-50kn for the next 7 days. Even in the 25kn we were able to skirt the islands for a feed of trout, fingermark and crays. I did a trip up the Gregory chasing barra...err jacks for a day. I thought I had a big boat until the B.I.L's mate turned up in a 760 Haines.

[Flex]

The tow isn’t a big deal. 625 cruisecraft isn’t an enormous boat,

But from my experience I’d not try and do two types of trips in one. Takes away from the fun.do cape trip on its own or a fishing trip on it own and enjoy them separately.

If your after pure fishing, tow your cruisecraft to Cooktown and fish out of there for 3 weeks. You’ll catch more fish than you ever have.




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[BigE]

I towed my 625 Cruisey to Dingo Beach at Xmas as we were up north for 3 weeks. Boat 2.7T towed very nicely and ranged between 18.9 to 23.9L/100km for the total trip. Unfortunately our boys developed chicken pox on day 2 when the weather was variable to 10 leading up to xmas day, then it was 25-50kn for the next 7 days. Even in the 25kn we were able to skirt the islands for a feed of trout, fingermark and crays. I did a trip up the Gregory chasing barra...err jacks for a day. I thought I had a big boat until the B.I.L's mate turned up in a 760 Haines.

Hi WAGS
what was your tow vehicle ? just looking at our fuel burns and yours was a bit more than mine.

BigE

[Inlike]

Almako we are heading to Lucinda for 10 days in august with 3 boats all over 6 metres .Will take our time over 2 days .from brisbane. Lucinda is only 250 ks from cairns.Like the idea of cooktown though for a few days up and back if you could. I’m sureyou would find somewhere secure to leave your rig . There would be people leaving there caravans etc there for cape trips .....It’s our first time to lucinda as we normally go to 1770 . Lucinda looks like a good option if weather goes both ways....BTW any basic gps marks in the channel and reefs would be appreciated if any one reading this feels generous Cheers Paul .

[hilta1]

No different than the thousands of caravans that get towed both ways, we tow our Kevlacat 2400 from Tassie to 1770 most winters for a couple months, big tow but set up for it, and worth it for sure!

[bluefin59]

Iv just towed a 2.6 ton caravan up here to Cooktown no probs mate , roads are great and the dmax handled it easily. Matt

[shane450]

No big deal towing your Cruisecraft , we will be towing up to Cooktown from the GC this September , just follow some good towing advise already given in theis thread

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[gr hilly]

Towed my 19c Haines Hunter from Brisbane to Cairns stopping at shute Lucinda for 4 or 5 days ea did this trip 8 or9 times loved every trip did some magic fishing to camped on the water in the boat,this was the 1980s to bloody old now haha i would go again tomorrow if i was young enough but i recon the secret is a good trailer tyres new and my darling Land Cruiser factory turbo magic never had a puncture ever good luck cheers GrHilly.

[wags on the water]

Hi WAGS
what was your tow vehicle ? just looking at our fuel burns and yours was a bit more than mine.

BigE

I was experimenting with the lock up torque converter (LOTC) on the 200 - Cruise control versus right-foot. 18-20L/100km using right foot, 22-24L/100km using cruise control. All towing in S5 as opposed to D.

[Rodman]

Make sure u get your wheel bearing checked

[wags on the water]

Make sure u get your wheel bearing checked

Car or boat? and why?

[RayLamp]

Car or boat? and why?
Boat. If they are corroded or weak, a long trip could heat them up and they could go pop. Relatively cheap to get them replaced before the trip for peace of mind.

[wags on the water]

Boat. If they are corroded or weak, a long trip could heat them up and they could go pop. Relatively cheap to get them replaced before the trip for peace of mind.
You'd think if someone is going to tow a boat on a 3000km round trip they would know their stuff. I'm good thanks - vehicle and trailer.