What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

[poormonkey]

I have a friend who has a 31 foot SeaRay that they do trailer from time to time. Wisconsin to the Keys. Most of the time it is at the marina. They are selling that boat and going with a 33 foot one. I guess you can still trailer the 33 footer if need be but the beam on it is like 11.5 which most roads can't even handle that. I am looking into purchasing a boat however I don't want a boat too small. My idea would be for most of the season it would be docked at a marina but on occasion would trailer it on a trip or two. I have a Ford Excursion with the 7.3 powerstroke in it so it can pull quite a bit of weight. I would prefer to get a boat as large as I can get that I can still pull off trailering it on occasion. Any suggestions in length? 31? 33? Smaller?

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

Anything over 8.5" wide will need permits every time you trailer it. That's a hassle. <br /><br />I'd say 26' or less, maybe 28'. That's a big boat once you see it in your rear view. Trust me. I went from an 19' to a 23' and the 23' is a handfull, especially once you hit some backroads or sidestreets.

 

[bayman]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

I used to have a 32 footer with a 10' beam. Getting permits is a bother, especially if you are going through several states. If you get it and just put it in the drink and leave it there it's no big deal. I really prefer not to trailer anything with a beam of over 8 and a half feet though. Now I have a small boat and trailering is much easier.

 

[chuckz]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

I don't know where you are located poormonkey, but some public ramps here limit the size of the boat you can launch. One of my clients told me they have a 24' boat and can't launch it at public ramps.

 

[cuzner]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

I'd say about 26 to 27 ft.If your only going to be moving it to the marina and back you would be fine something larger, if you take your time.legal lenght for any vehicle (trailer+ tow vehicle) is 63 feet overall, 8 feet 6 inch wide, unless you have a permit.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[poormonkey]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

I am in the burbs of Chicago. So either I am taking it to Lake Michigan or taking it to another lake that is large enough to handle a decent size boat. I have read a lot of launches on the lakes that can handle that size boat you can launch up to 40' via a trailer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

The Only Limits on trailering Any Boat is that Anything Wider than 102"(8.5') Needs a Permit, in every State.....Over 12' Requires an Escort Car.... Over 14' Requires 2 Escort Cars....... <br />It also Can't be Over 13'6" High........<br />Over-all Length is determined by Each State......<br /><br />The 8.5' wide,+ 13'6" high is a Federal Limit...............

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

poormonkey, SeaRay's 260 Sundancer is their largest that is still 8.5' wide. Almost all the manufacturers have a 24-26' cabin cruiser that is only 8.5' wide. Now, that being said, there are some boats that are just 9' wide, that you might be able to "sneek" by with. Because once a 24' or larger cruiser is up on a trailer, they all look huge! (Just like Stiff said).

 

[Solittle]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

Before you jump into buying anything of that size see if you can borrow one to get a feel of what it is like to tow a rig of that size - even with an Excursion. I had a 27 1/2' flybridge on a triple axle trailer (35' total length) and towing it scared the crap out of me.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

I tow a 2000 model Chaparall Signature 290. Its 9'9 wide, 14'2 tall inc. radar antenna on arch [on trailer], 36' long [ball mount to and including drives], and wieghs approximately 12000# [loaded for a weekend inc. trailer]. I have towed stuff all my life and Im telling you its a load to "HAUL". Have to pick my roads around here [narrow and tree limbs]. Live in Ms, bought my boat in Ft Meyers Fl, [735 miles 1 way] tried to get permits to HAUL it home. Biggest hassel ever encountered. Said to hell with it and hauled her home without permits and have probably put another 10,000 miles on boat/trailer since then [between Venice La back to Ft Meyer boating and fishing] never been stopped [lucky???]. I did check on Ms oversized load permit. We have one avaliable, good for one year but it is restricted to daylight towing only. Never got that either. I guess it depends on where your towing as to how tolorable law enforcement is to NON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. Before I tried to tow anything larger on a reguler basis I would probably need my head examined. I wouldnt have this boat any other way. We boat in a saltwater enviroment and that stuff will kill your boat. I wouldnt recommend just anybody tow a load like this but nobody knows your abilities better than yourself. So now you have to worry about hitting stuff along the roadways that you never thought hitting before, roadsignes, mailboxes, tree limbs, traffic lights, curbs, power lines, and other "WIDE" loads, and on and on the list goes. Before you buy a load like that I recommend you tow a load that size just to get a feel of it. And dont be scared.<br />TOW TOW TOW YOUR BOAT GENTLY DOWN THE STREET!!!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

Geez - don't ever come to Minnesota or Wisconsin with that rig. If the "Public Protectors" ever stopped you without proper permits you probably would never see the light of day again. Your bank account would likely never have any numbers in but zero's either. Fines are steep.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

all good advice. but i'll add that there are plenty of people from the go-fast crowd that trailer boats in excess of 30' on a routine basis. of course, their boats are slimmer than most, but still quite large.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

For the most part, the length isn't the issue, it's the beam (width) and weight that matters. In my opinion, anything over a 31ft length and a 10 ft beam will take all of the fun out of trailering. Keep in mind that 8'6" is the legal max without permits....you will most likely be un-noticed if 10 feet and under. while you have a fairly powerful engine in your tow rig, the suspension and your ability to control a large load isn't that much. Keep in mind that a one ton ford 350 pick up is only rated to tow 10,000 lbs.<br />While i'm not a stickler on towing laws, you really do need to think about your ability, and that of your tow vehicle. Pulling something is one thing.....controlling it and stopping it is another.

 

[poormonkey]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

I agree with what everyone has been saying. I have heard a lot of people trailering 9.5 and 9 beam boats all over the U.S. with no problems from the cops. I don't want to go overboard and be pulling a 30 foot plus boat with a 10 plus beam. My Excusion is a beast when it comes to towing. It is rated to tow on the sticker 12,500 lbs. It is already equipped with an electronic trailer brake system. I have spoken to a few other guys who own an Excursion and they have made some recommendations with going with a Firestone air bag setup as well adding a rear sway bar. I am mainly looking at towing on the open roads but I do know getting to some marinas is a bit tricky as well. Thanks for all the feedback. Not I have to keep my eyes open on a used boat that I want.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

To the best of my knowledge if your looking at the GVW weight sticker on your vehicle that 12500# rating should include your vehicle also. i.e. If your Excursion weighs 4000# they are allowing you 8500# of tow capacity. Also Trailer hitches with a "BALL CARRYING" capacity of more than 10000# have a larger reciever, 2" is standard. I think the next hitch size is 12000# with a 2 1/2" reciever. DONT "OVER" ESTIMATE your hitch. Most people {unknown or dont care] tow on a hitch and reciever that is to light weight for the load. Dont go by the "WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING" rating as this rating is for camper style hitches with those load equalizing arms.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What is the largest length boat you can still trailer?

poormonkey<br /> also check with local laws on your route. the great state of VA has several towns that require a permit, a chase vehicle and a police escort, you pay for the escort, depending on size. a town not to far acrossed the state line has some enforcement officers that are rather good at busting people with oversize boats and no permits. if caught they will escort you to a safe parking spot and lock the trailer down until the proper permits are obtained and fines paid, it has ruined more than one yankees dream of tuna fishing all weekend at oregon inlet.