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I figure my boat weighs in fully loaded right around 5000 lbs maybe a little over. I am towing with a class 3 hitch 2" ball. A class 4 jumps way up in capacity not sure if a class 4 would be overkill or if I should stick with a class 3? Any suggestions? Do most guys run near the capacity of there hitches? I am towing at around 80% of my vehicles tow rating but at 100% of the hitch rating.
__________________ Joe on the "Taken Lightly" 2101 Striper W/A, Yamaha 200 HPDI, Yamaha T8 Kicker
Light Tackle Enthusiast
Your probably exceeding your hitch capacity. Per the Seaswirl website, your boat weighs 3,455 lbs with standard engine, which, per Seaswirl, is a 150 hp outboard. At the stated fuel capacity of that boat, a full tank of fuel will put you at 4,085 lbs. On top of that, add the difference in weight between a 150 and a 200 (what your running) hp motor, the weight of the hardtop and other options, weight of accessories, and weight for trailer. I don't know what type of trailer your using. An aluminum for that boat might weigh only 900 lbs where as a galvanized trailer for that boat could weigh as much as 1,500 lbs. Seeing as your from California, could it be that your using a Pacific trailer? That would be galvanized.
The point I'm trying to make is that your probably towing around closer to 5,500 lbs, maybe as much as 6,000 lbs depending on the weight of the trailer. That'd mean you'd need a class IV hitch. Best thing to do is hit the public scale, then you'd know for sure.
Myself, I use a class IV hitch.
__________________ Grady White SeaFarer 226 w/Yamaha F225 - SOLD
Using a weight distribution hitch will enable you to increase the capacity of your class three. Cost difference between W.D. hitch and a new class four is probably a wash, but the benefits of a W.D. are significant in terms of vehicle handling. I use one and will continue - for $400 or so, it's a tremendous help.
I removed the class 3 that came stock with on my Ford 250 and replaced it with a class lV Valley. It was a direct bolt in replacement and only cost about $150.
FYI, if your receiver and ball are rated for 5000 lbs, they can technically handle 3x that amount as per Govt requirements but overkill is a good thing.
The only way to know what your boat/trailer weighs is to weigh it. My boat weighs in at more than 1,000 lb over the manufacturer's listed weight. Knowing the actual weight will tell you if you need a different hitch, ball, etc., and it will give you the piece of mind of knowing where you stand in regard to capacities.
What you could do is load up your boat and drag it around until the hitch breaks, then back off a few pounds.....that's how they used to test airplane wings, seriously, go for the class IV, for $150 it's good insurance......Mick
Trailer Hitch Capacities 
I am towing at around 80% of my vehicles tow rating but at 100% of the hitch rating. 
