There’s no shortage of boaters who are concerned with trailering their vessels. Tow weight and capacity remain a hot topic due to safety and legal concerns, insurance, and optimal route planning, among others.
Such factors lead many people to ask, “How much does a 21 foot boat with trailer weigh?” Expect the combined dry weights of most boats of this size with their trailers to be around 2,800 to a little under 7,000 pounds.
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The Weight of a 21 Foot Boat with Trailer
The 2.700-to-7,000-pound range considers the different types of boats, materials, and their respective common trailers. It’s crucial to point out that there’s no single type of 21-foot watercraft.
- When most of us think of 21-footers, we usually think of the Grady-Whites, the Bayliners, pontoons, center consoles, etc. These inboard ski rigs can reach a combined weight of 5,000 pound
- Outboard aluminum boats tend to be more lightweight, weighing less than 3,500 pounds. As a 1,000-pound trailer will be enough to tow these vessels, the combined heft should be 4,500 pounds.
- Rigid inflatable boats can also reach 21-foot lengths, and they can fall well below the average range of 2,800 to 7,000 pounds, since they can weigh less than 1,400 pounds without a trailer.For example, the Ribcraft 6.5 only weighs 1,365 pounds. With the trailer added for towing, the total load only amounts to 3,086 pou
- Fiberglass boats, meanwhile, tend to be the heaviest among the available options. For instance, the fiberglass MasterCraft XT22 T’s dry weight (DW) is as heavy as 5,725 pound, and its tow vehicle weight is up to 6,925 pounds.
The facts said above should tell you all you need to know why providing a definite, all-encompassing answer to the main question poses a tricky challenge.
We haven’t even discussed whether you’ll be using a single-axle trailer, tandem axle, or triple-axle for your watercraft or what material it’s made of.
Based on my research, most of the vessels of this size tend to have aluminum or galvanized steel trailers that weigh around 1,200 pounds to slightly below 1,400 pounds.
To account for variance, we’ll settle for a range of 1,000 pounds to 1,400 pounds, which should effectively include most tandem-axle trailers on the heaviest side. These should be sufficient, as plenty have a weight capacity of 8,000 pounds.
Now that we have a set range for trailer weight, we can adopt the simple approach of adding any 21-foot boat’s DW to the average trailer DW, which is 1,200 pounds.
I’ve prepared the following table that showcases ten 21-foot boats with either aluminum or fiberglass hulls, regardless of type. Keep your eyes on the weight figures for a good reference.
| 21-Foot Boat Model Name | Dry Boat Weight | Combined Total Weight of Boat and Trailer (Approx.) |
| MasterCraft NXT21 | 4,700 pounds | 6,900 pounds |
| Princecraft Sportfisher 21-2S | 1,724 pounds | 2,924 pounds |
| Supreme ZS212 | 5,350 pounds | 6,550 pounds |
| Grady-White Freedom 215 | 3,150 pounds | 4,350 pounds |
| Highfield Sport 660 | 1,631 pounds | 2,831 pounds |
| Avalon LSZ Elite Windshield | 1,800 pounds | 3,000 pounds |
| Lowe SS 210 DL | 2,230 pounds | 3,430 pounds |
| Grady-White Fisherman 216 | 3,125 pounds | 4,325pounds |
| Stingray 211 DC | 3,248 pounds | 4,448 pounds |
| MasterCraft XT22 T | 5,725 pounds | 6,925 pounds |
Use the totals above to get a general idea of what the average boat weight with trailer for vessels that span this size.
Obviously, I can’t put an exact figure on gross combination weight, as not all of us bring the same cargo or have similar motors, as well as fuel and water capacities.
Factors Affecting Boat Weight
When considering towing capacity, boat capacity, and weight as a whole, everything needs to be on the same page, from tongue weight to GTW (Gross Total Weight) and package weight.
But what affects them in the first place? Look no further than the following.
1. Material
As mentioned above, fiberglass boats and trailers are almost always heavier than their aluminum counterparts, especially if we’re only considering a single size such as 21 feet.
Those are just two of the most common hull materials, and there are plastics that can weigh more than even fiberglass.
2. Design and Type
The boat’s design and type can dictate whether it will include inherent components that will impact its total dry weight. For example, a wake boat will have a tower that can add up to 300 more pounds to the said total.
3. Size
Boat size is often directly proportional to boat weight. It’s as simple as the larger vessel having more construction materials, which raises its heft.
4. Amenities and Furnishings
Certain boats are spacious enough to fit actual bathrooms, kitchens, entertainment systems, and appliances, to cite a few.
5. Load Capacity
How much or many passengers, cargo, water, and fuel it can carry often has a bearing on a boat’s weight.
6. Number of Axles on Trailer and Their Material
Normally, more axles mean more weight. For most 21-foot boats in general, you’ll need to use either a single or tandem axle
How to Determine the Weight of Your 21 Foot Boat With Trailer
On the whole, it’s infinitely better to do most of the weight measurements yourself. You can use a boat weight calculator online to account for load, then just refer to official manufacturer documents for the boat weight and trailer weight.
Assuming you have a public weighing station in your area, then I suggest you take the time to drive both your boat and its trailer there.
Afterward, to make sure that you’re getting only the weight of either one, empty any cargo possible (people, pets, or other materials that may affect the scale’s readings).
Just drive the boat and trailer subsequently onto the scale, then add the values that you get. It’s that easy! And what’s even better is that you’re actually getting the most precise weight numbers.
Conclusion
I would have taken the time to weigh every 21-foot boat with its trailer available in my area to provide the most accurate answers to “How much does a 21 foot boat with trailer weigh?” But, alas, I don’t have the necessary resources to do that.
I hope that with the help of the official numbers I provided above, you at least get a general idea of what weights to expect for boats of this size.
Don’t forget that it will always be determined by the myriad factors I’ve discussed above.
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