I am moving very near Canyon Lake soon. The nearest boat ramp is about 3/4 miles from my house. I have a '05 Chevy Impala LS...V6 3.8L. 200 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, 225 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm.

I want to get a john boat. Maybe up to about 12 ft. Do you think I would be able to tow it safely the short distance to the ramp using my car? Can't afford a new home, new boat AND a new truck. I would only need to get on a major street for about 300 ft. All the other roads to get there are small side streets. The terrain is pretty hilly. Thanks.

Yes, People will laugh at you though and wonder what the heck your doing....

But don't worry about people laughing at you as long as you are getting to fish. Just a thought but maybe you will meet some nice people there that will let you leave your boat close to the water.

Definately. I've towed 3 jetskis (a GP1300r and a GP1200) and a Yami SuperJet (all carbon fiber) on the same trailer and I only have a 3.5 in my SUV. Being the Impala is FWD it will also help you at the ramp also since you will be further away from the slick parts of the ramp.

You should be fine.

Sweet...now just to install a hitch.

In the old days, most people towed with cars. I towed a 14' ski boat from TX to Maryland and back with a slant 6 many years ago with no ill effects.

I pulled a Ranger 17' with a Pontiac 6000 with a V6 to and from Branson, MO. Should be fine for that short of a trip.

cypher, check out pep boys for hitch installation. I've found that their prices are the cheapest, materials + labor.

Do it !

Awesome thanks everyone. Didn't think it would be a problem but didn't wanna leave a tranny on the side of the road or worse hurt someone. I'll check out pep boys.

At Canyon, there are a lot of hills, don't tow in overdrive.

i think the main problem is coming out of the ramp, with FWD you have almost no traction. ESPECIALLY if you are using the ramp in cypress cove, its very steep and very slick.

i wouldnt worry about dropping the tranny or anything like that, it should hold up.

you will know how hard it will be to pull out when you pull the empty trailer out for the first time.

I pulled a 17 ft. Triton for several years with a V-6 Chevy S-10. Before that I pulled a 16 ft. Tracker with a Merc Sable. The problem you're going to have is backing out into the water far enough to float your boat without getting your exhaust pipe under water. If FWD means front wheel drive, you probably need to carry a bag of sand with you. If the Cypress Cove ramp is the ramp on Rebecca Creek, you don't want to go anywhere near it.

If you're going to venture out on Canyon in a 12 ft. jon boat, you might want to make sure your life insurance is in order. You might be safe back in Tom Creek.

I think the biggest issues are gonna be suspension and traction on the ramp.