Saltare or Sunsport

[michael hunter]

The Salt weighs in at 3450 dry and the Sun weighs in at 2950 dry. Add in fuel ,trailer and equipment you are looking at another 1500-1800lbs. That's 5250lbs for the Salt and 4750lbs for the Sun. Even though your Honda is rated at 5000 I think it will be maxed out even with the Sun. If you try a long trip it will certainly be detrimental to the Honda. The biggest problem will be stopping safely. In a emergency situation the boat will steer the car especially the Salt.

[asmodeus2112]

The Salt weighs in at 3450 dry and the Sun weighs in at 2950 dry. Add in fuel ,trailer and equipment you are looking at another 1500-1800lbs. That's 5250lbs for the Salt and 4750lbs for the Sun. Even though your Honda is rated at 5000 I think it will be maxed out even with the Sun. If you try a long trip it will certainly be detrimental to the Honda. The biggest problem will be stopping safely. In a emergency situation the boat will steer the car especially the Salt.

Yes, you have a valid point there. I was talking with several people on the Ridgeline owners forum that tow at capacity and say the truck does well, but it always is nice to have some overhead when towing. My calcs for the Salt come in at 4975 lbs. with some conservative slop, but it is a lot either way. An older boat may have some extra weight in water somewhere to. One would hope not, but still.

[asmodeus2112]

Does anyone want one of these anymore?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/2304257350.html

[cadunkle]

I wouldn't consider one unless your focus is on slalom. Doesn't look like much freeboard. Heck, I doubt I'd be entirely comfortable in that just unweighted on the river, what with huge tug and tanker wakes and such.

That was one of the things I like about my Saltare... It's big, heavy, and has loads of freeboard. Smooth, dry and comfortable on the river. No worries about taking rollers over the bow and no reason to get nervous when the big ships come through.

[sybrmike]

I can tell you that even my Ram 1500 would hunt for gears in the tow mode just on overpasses with the Saltare behind. Granted, a quad cab, long bed, 4x4, w/ camper shell was already a load for the 5.7 hemi, but I'da thought twice before hauling from Austin to Wisconsin with it.

Never had it on a scale, but it's a load back there. I don't think the tranny in that Ridgeline would like the hills on 2222 & around Austin long term. And like others said, pulling is one thing - stopping safely is an entirely different matter.

[stinky_1]

I am sure the guys on the ridgeline forum have told you all ready. If your towing I hope you have a very big tranny cooler in that thing. Its got a weak 2nd gear that likes to blow itself out when loaded too much. I am certain their 5000 lbs capacity is based on what the chasis can handle, and not what that engine/tranny is truly capable of.

The salty will be heavier, and after your trial this year you may end up looking for a real truck so you can keep your boat. I wouldnt plan to pull a salty with that truck for long. So one of the two would have to go. If you have no intention of getting rid of the honda for something with more towing power you will want to seriously consider low balling the sunsport owner and see if you can get that at a better price. It sucks to pass up on a deal for something better. But if you cant get your family to the lake safely then why bother in the first place.

Not to mention your wife wont be happy if you end up rolling your family into a ditch on your trial summer. I would think that will be a quick experiment killer.

If you do end up getting the salty anyway, Ill offer $2000 for it at the end of the season if you decide to sell.

[asmodeus2112]

If you do end up getting the salty anyway, Ill offer $2000 for it at the end of the season if you decide to sell.

2k is a deal as long as you will get it out of the ditch...

[asmodeus2112]

Thanks for all the wisdom. I just have to decide where to compromise...

I've been looking for about 4 weeks, and one Saltare, 2 Sunsports and one Conbrio are the only decent choices. How often do these boats come up for sale? Am I lucky to have this much choice, or is it safe to wait?

[stinky_1]

Am I lucky to have this much choice, or is it safe to wait?

if those are all reasonably close to you then I would say your lucky. There was nothing at all even close to me when I bought mine. I had to drive from Alberta Canada to Chicago to pick up my Sunsport.

I have seen a few decent ones pop up on CL, but they are all a healthy drive away from me.