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I towed my 17 Newport with my 2003 Forester XT 5 spd manual many thousands of miles. Our usual trip consisted of 2 adults, 2 dogs, one child, all of our gear clothing and child needs, as well as a bike or tow in the car (bikes in the boat) for 180 - 250 mile one way trip.
Honestly it was the best small car I have ever towed a 17' Whaler with. Images
For the Subaru (or any car) if you are doing a lot of towing I would recommend using Mobile 1 or like synthetic for the motor, as well as gear lube for the rear differential. I replace the standard oil in the transmission with Redline Shock proof. Finally I upgraded my front and rear brake pads to a higher temperature range pads for emergency stopping purposes. I went with the Hawk HP pads with the standard rotor.
It should be able to tow it. Any car can tow any boat, does it have enough "Grunt" to pull it up the ramp is what I worry about. Jeff thinking ahead with "Extra" braking power because, "Stopping" quickly, IS the most important factor out of them all. If you have to tow for many miles you'll need more stuff, and more maint.. My yearly total for towing is 4.9 miles, so I can tow it with a "Hoopty" (old bomb).
'96 Grand Am V6/'76 sport 15' 50hp
The two most important areas are the brakes for stopping and the transmission. If you have an auto, I would recommend a trans cooler. Once you over heat trans fluid, the transmission is toast.
Kevin
1988 11' Super Sport, 1987 Johnson 15hp.
If you think education is expensive, try ignorance
"Vegetarian - old Indian word for bad fisherman."
