I'm looking into getting a boat, but the 3500lbs max tow capacity is a factor in deciding what to get. I'm looking for something that I can tow with my '14 JKU, spacious to hold the many friends I assume will come out of the woodwork, while still having some speed to get around a snaky long lake and maybe water ski. The ideal option would be a deck boat, as it offers some speed as well as space, but they tend to be pretty heavy.

Right now I've been eying the Bayliner Element e18. Seems to be the best option and light enough to tow. Curious if there are some other models I should be considering too? I'm trying to keep it under $20K

Also - buying a truck to tow isn't an option right now. I was considering upgrading to the Gladiator, but then I wouldn't be able to swing a boat.

 

I'm not telling you to do this, but.....
I successfully towed a toy hauler camping trailer with a 2012 JKU. When I had the Harley inside along with all of my gear, the weight was in excess of 4500 pounds. When I did my research I learned that in 2012 the JKU was rated for higher tow capacities in other countries compared to the US. Some were as high as 4400 pounds for the gas powered JKU. My conclusion was that the tow rating published in the US was artificially low. With dual axle trailer brakes, sway control, and weight distribution hitch, I felt completely safe towing. This is not legal advice, this is simply my opinion and experience.

 

Thanks, appreciate the honesty too as I was wondering this myself, particularly if the trailer had brakes, and how that impacted capability. My dad has surge brakes on his boat trailer, so I was wondering if those, or electric brakes would help me out a bit. Not that I'm looking to go way over, but if I found something I liked that weighed in between 3,500-4000lbs, would I likely be ok.