Cobaltchat.com

I may not be the best guy to ask, but here's my .02. The only difference between driving a big boat and small boat is the cost of the repair. I'd personally be more concerned about towing an R7 if you aren't experienced with that. As far as handling, there's not much left to be said that hasn't been posted from the guru's. Go slow, learn, and go slow. If you aren't comfortable in a given situation or wind condition or whatever, don't do it. Work up to it. All boat handling principles are the same, but every boat is different. The R7 will be slower to react both in accelerating and stopping due to the momentum. You shouldn't need anything really more than idle to maneuver the boat around a dock. An occasion quick burst from time to time, but speed is not your friend in tight quarters.

It's kind of like when I got my motorcycle license. I had ridden dirt bikes as a kid but hadn't ridden a large street bike, so I did the natural thing--I started with a 1600CC Nomad. A bike's a bike, but every bike is different. I took a class with my wife as a refresher--The instructor looked at me like I was nuts until I did a tighter figure 8 than some new guys on a 250.


Driving the boat will get easier everytime. Heck for me, it's the first time I drove it on the trailer thinking "I'm giving the boat power headed towards the shore and a few feet away from my truck"....that was scary.

Good Luck

cmattj wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:11 am Your tow vehicle lacks in any Hill driving gvw as Bruce is sharing.
Be careful as any grade of 3% or higher takes that 7000 lbs and turns it into 10,000. ( double that for a 6% grade).
Then you need to stop it.

I am going tp pick on you, Matt, because you are the most recent person to say this, but it's such a common sentiment that you should just assume that I am speaking in general:

Does ANYONE have a trailer in 2021 that doesn't have brakes on it? Brakes on every axle seems to be the default option here in the modern era.

Seriously, braking isn't even close to my top concern when trailering. And yeah, I have 2 reasonably heavy trailers and have been towing for ~20 years, so not a complete newb.

- Mark

mdadgar wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 2:21 pm

cmattj wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:11 am Your tow vehicle lacks in any Hill driving gvw as Bruce is sharing.
Be careful as any grade of 3% or higher takes that 7000 lbs and turns it into 10,000. ( double that for a 6% grade).
Then you need to stop it.

I am going tp pick on you, Matt, because you are the most recent person to say this, but it's such a common sentiment that you should just assume that I am speaking in general:

Does ANYONE have a trailer in 2021 that doesn't have brakes on it? Brakes on every axle seems to be the default option here in the modern era.

Seriously, braking isn't even close to my top concern when trailering. And yeah, I have 2 reasonably heavy trailers and have been towing for ~20 years, so not a complete newb.

- Mark

No worries buddy I’m just tagging on some insight for someone who may not have your vast years of experience.
It’s the uphill battle I was pointing out in gvw.

We can assume his braking technique, and settings won’t allow him to blow through a intersection with his abs growling underfoot.
Easy peasy

mdadgar wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 2:21 pmSeriously, braking isn't even close to my top concern when trailering. And yeah, I have 2 reasonably heavy trailers and have been towing for ~20 years, so not a complete newb.

- Mark

Not my concern either. The problem with the Raptor is the way Ford did the suspension for off road which is why it is typically has 600# of payload less than other F-150 models.

cmattj wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 2:39 pm We can assume his braking technique, and settings won’t allow him to blow through a intersection with his abs growling underfoot.
Easy peasy

LOL. Fair point.

- Mark

bruceb58 wrote: Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:16 pm

FLCErik wrote: Tue Mar 16, 2021 12:56 pm I took a look at the stickers inside the door and it does not show any specs for towing. I assume it is in the manual.

We live in Reno and have a weekend house in the Keys on Garmish Ct. We are there pretty much every weekend in the summer. Red R7.

We are on Venice Drive

This is what the sticker looks like:

That 1505#(in this example) is the weight you are not to exceed when you add occupants of the truck, cargo in the truck and the tongue weight. Every truck is different and depends on what options the truck came with.

My 19 f150 says 1933

rabiddawg wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:04 pm My 19 f150 says 1933

I am going to guess that you have an XLT trim?

Maybe we should put this thread in the towing section now that it's been derailed

bruceb58 wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:18 am

rabiddawg wrote: Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:04 pm My 19 f150 says 1933

I am going to guess that you have an XLT trim?

Yes

Big Block Power wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:59 am Maybe we should put this thread in the towing section now that it's been derailed

AND put you straight to ignore!!! and me too !!

dustinm wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 10:01 am

Big Block Power wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:59 am Maybe we should put this thread in the towing section now that it's been derailed

AND put you straight to ignore!!! and me too !!

I think that already happened

Khash wrote: Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:15 am In the process of buying a used R7 and am just a touch intimidated and the boats not even here yet. Lol..... I’ve spent a lot of time of the lake and have driven many other peoples boats and have rented pontoons. Bought my first seadoo a Rxtx a couple years ago and now jumped into an R7. Mainly docking is what I’m slightly intimidated by but it’s prob just natural and a good thing. lol... I just plan on getting out there and practicing on a slow day. I can drive anything with a motor pretty well. Opinions are appreciated!! Even if it’s not what I want to hear. Lol

Khash you should bring this R7 up to the Cobalt Regatta this July and we can give you some personal lessons. It will be my first year at the Regatta too.

dustinm wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:23 pm It will be my first year at the Regatta too.

Mine too. I’m hearing we need to know how to back into a slip. Just a heads up.

Dam another high Jack

rabiddawg wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:33 pm

dustinm wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:23 pm It will be my first year at the Regatta too.

Mine too. I’m hearing we need to know how to back into a slip. Just a heads up.

Dam another high Jack

If I let my wife drive she will show you how to parallel park in the slip.

dustinm wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 11:46 pm

rabiddawg wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 7:33 pm

dustinm wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:23 pm It will be my first year at the Regatta too.

Mine too. I’m hearing we need to know how to back into a slip. Just a heads up.

Dam another high Jack

If I let my wife drive she will show you how to parallel park in the slip.

That's funny. I won't say anything but Yt was all over it so I just pulled in right next to him. And he backs in like the boss the other 99%of the time.
If it counts I backed out