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Friend of mine was looking at a Hydrasport 21 W/A. Specs say the beam is 8'9". With the maximum trailerable load width of 8' 6" in almost all states is this not an issue? The boat is not even 21 feet long, why would Hydrasport take the chance of missing some of the trailerable market. Am I missing something?
I don't think it is a typo...it is on the Hydrasport site....and listed on the broker's page. Does anyone know if it a typo?
Yes 102" is the limit in most States...some have an 96" limit without a permit. But some with a 96" limit allow you on the federal interstate system in their state with a 102" width.
Hydrasport confimed the beam is indead 8' 9". Begs the question does the extra 3 inches make enough difference not to be able to call the boat trailerable?
Highly doubt it... I trailer 8'10" all the time, one time state trooper was behind me for a while and did not pull me over. Now if it is 9'8" I would consider getting a permit..
R
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I trailer my H/S all over Florida. The beam is 9'8" and I have guide post hanging out even further. I am total width about 10'4" running down the road. I have never been hassled. State Trooper even stopped and looked over my boat and talked fishing with me at a rest area on the Fla Turnpike a while back.
I know 10' is the limit in Fla. Above that you need a permit that is around $80.00 a year. I don't know anyone who has it.
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Sans Peur
Hydra Sports 2800 Vector
Yamaha F250 Four Stroke's
Reel, 8"6' is the limit without a permit in Florida (and that includes the pvc guides if you have them). From there to 10" you need a permit. From 10" on up you need a permit and there are additional requirements like spotter trucks and "wideload" signs. But, under 10" almost no one enforces it (unless you are in the Keys, in which case you'd better have everything in line).
8'6" ? WOW! I thought I had read on a couple of forums it was 10'. I guess I had better look into it a little more.
The Keys are always a PITA for towing Anything. Those guys will look at "Everything" on your boat. I have had them pull into a parking lot to look me over with my old boat. It was 8'6" wide before the PVC poles but luckily they didn't catch that. Only thing they were on me about was the rear tie down straps. I had a home depot ratcheting tie down thrown over the engine mount and hooked to the trailer. He didn't think it was strong enough. I was able to talk my way through it because the strap was strong enough to hold the trailer and I told him I wasn't trying to hold the boat to the trailer just the trailer to the boat. I guess it made sense, he let me go.
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Sans Peur
Hydra Sports 2800 Vector
Yamaha F250 Four Stroke's
So, I want to trailer a 36' Contender with a 10' beam, from Michigan to Florida. What do I need to do in order to be legal? Or do most guys just hook up and go, not concerned with the laws?
To be legal you'll need to check the rules for each state you'll be passing through. The 102' limit is Federal but each state has its own rules in addition to the federal one. Most likely you'll need a permit from each state. Florida's permit for 10" is around $20 for the year (I think) and $5 for a one time trip. Over ten feet and you'll have day travel restrictions along with a host of other things to comply with.
Many people just take the risk of getting stopped since very few LEO's enforce the rules. I'm not sure what the fines are, but I'll bet they are more than the permits.
G8RDave - Many people just take the risk of getting stopped since very few LEO's enforce the rules. I'm not sure what the fines are, but I'll bet they are more than the permits.
That's a FACT! The fines are easily 3-4X the cost of the permit. And IF you get stopped for anything or break-down the LEO's will figure-out the LAW on-site! If you get in an accident while in non-compliance your "toast".
Worth checking but I would assume that the state-of-origin rules would apply to temporary transportation.Wi. doesn't require tags under 3,000# but you get no-end of grief towing a rig around in Put-in-Bay Ohio. Nothing they can do though , Wi. rules apply.
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So, I want to trailer a 36' Contender with a 10' beam, from Michigan to Florida. What do I need to do in order to be legal? Or do most guys just hook up and go, not concerned with the laws?
I can pretty much tell you your home free when you get to Florida,but I don't know about the other states.I pulled my 36 Contender from Texas to Florida,much of it at night and I was a nervous wreck till I made it back to Florida.
A 36 ft boat on a trailer is so common here I don't think they give it much thought.I have never met anyone here that has a permit,although I have one.
There is a company that will secure all the permits along the way for you,but I can't remember who it is.Other than that,you'll just have to wing it,which is what I did.
So, I want to trailer a 36' Contender with a 10' beam, from Michigan to Florida. What do I need to do in order to be legal? Or do most guys just hook up and go, not concerned with the laws?
I can pretty much tell you your home free when you get to Florida,but I don't know about the other states.I pulled my 36 Contender from Texas to Florida,much of it at night and I was a nervous wreck till I made it back to Florida.
A 36 ft boat on a trailer is so common here I don't think they give it much thought.I have never met anyone here that has a permit,although I have one.
There is a company that will secure all the permits along the way for you,but I can't remember who it is.Other than that,you'll just have to wing it,which is what I did.
Thank you for your help AC. If you remember the company that gets the permits for you let me know, if you dont mind. Thanks
Steve01, What state are you in? If in NC I would suggest you stay under the 102" limit for trailer boats. NC has really been beat up the locals and tournament fishermen lately on the width and weight issue.
If you are in NC I can PM you some good information on this topic since the board apparently does not allow me to link to another board.
It's all of $20.00 per year if it is "Up to 10 Feet Wide" meaning Not Over 10 Feet Wide.
If the boat is over 10' then it is $330.00 per year and holds you to "*SPECIFIED ROUTES ONLY - When applicable, the specified routes shall be on the permit."
Don't know about others but I go all over the state with my boat. Port Canaveral, Ft Pierce, Homasassa, Sarasota, and the Keys. I couldn't show a specific route if I had to. I guess I could take the guide poles off and reinstall at the ramp when we were loading. It would save $310.00 per year and all the other crap they are going to hit me with. I can understand a commercial enterprise having to pay for a permit, but not us weekend guys. It's just another Tax if you ask me.
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Sans Peur
Hydra Sports 2800 Vector
Yamaha F250 Four Stroke's
Going state to state you might try calling AAA. I know some states (like CT) only issue permits for short periods of time and they are not valid on weekends.
Thank you all for the input. I think anything over 102 inches without permits leaves you somewhat exposed. Some have responded not to worry about it, others say "the man" will write you up. I think one of the best lines was if you have a problem or accident...you could be SOL. I guess a lot depends on how big "a set" you have.
It still begs the question...why would Hydrasport make a boat that is just over 20 feet and not have a legal trailerable boat with out having to get permits. There are boats 4 and 5 feet longer and keep it at or under 8'6".
Maximum Trailer Width
