Towing 2300lb boat without surge breaks?

Hello All, considering buying a late 80’s seaswirl cuddy bot that is 18’. Nada specs it out at 2300lbs. I’m guessing the trailer weights about 700 for a total of 3000lbs.

It is a single axle trailer without brakes, wanted to see if anyone has towed a similar setup and how the trans/brakes on the Tacoma hold the weight back on long downgrade hills.

My truck is basically stock 20’ TRD Off-road 4x4 DCLB with the V6

 

I've pulled that weight with only the truck brakes. Stopping distance is increased significantly, several car lengths. I have the manual and use the gearing as much as possible.

It's not ideal in an emergency that's for sure. Do with that info what you will.

 

I haven’t purchased the boat yet... may pass on it for the simple fact of not having brakes

Also looking into the cost of adding brakes. Would likely need a new axle because I doubt the original axle came with brake flanges

 

If you have a slip for it and will only be towing it twice a season or something it wouldn't be a big deal I'd say but if you're hooking up to it every weekend and pulling it around I'd check into what other options you have.

 

I pulled a boat for years that was a little heavier than that with no problems. But as previously said you need a lot more stopping distance. In a sudden stop it can be dangerous. I would pass on that boat and get something with trailer brakes.
Also an old fiberglass boat like that depending on various factors may likely have some water saturation in the hull flotation. That can add several hundred pounds to the boat weight. When buying an older boat it is always something you should check carefully.

 

I've only towed my boat once since I bought my 3rd gen Tacoma and it didn't have any problems with it being unbraked. Previous tow vehicles had no problems without trailer brakes either. The boat is 16.5' and fueled up with all my gear on board probably weighs in a bit under 3000lbs with the trailer. Acceleration was noticeably slower but stopping didn't seem particularly affected. I tend to leave plenty of space and brake gently anyway though so if you're the kind of driver who likes to have a one second gap all the time you'll likely notice a difference.