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Random Quote: If you can go home and pull a $100 bill out , and flush it down the toilet, and if that doesn't bother you, then go ahead and buy a boat truthful words spoken by my outboard mechanic!!!!!!
I have a boat I like a lot (27 ft Sea Sport with Flying Bridge).* I am in the process of sellinf it to buy a 22 ft version. The reason?* I live in the Pacific NW and to truely catch fish (Salmon), you must go where the fish are as they migrate.* So while I like the boat, I need the mobility.* I also want to go to Baja in 2 years (2000 miles)
My current boat weighs 10000 lbs and the trailer weighs 2500 lbs.* I have trailered it once with no issues (the trailer is semi-home built that came with the boat when I bought it used).* Mt Ford V10 250 pulls it just fine.* I am worried about the safety thing, this just seems like too big a load moving down the road.
My question:* anyone else do this for long distances and feel comfortable about it?* Am I being a nervous nellie?
I trailered my last boat (a 2001 Wellcraft Coastal 270) from OH to MD when I bought it, then from MD to NM and later NM to FL. It was 9'8" wide and 28.5' long. I've also trailered my current boat (2003 Worldcat 330TE) from Ft Myers to Valdosta, Valdosta to Panama City (twice), PC to Pensacola about 1/2 dozen times, and PC to Venice, LA once. With a suitable tow rig, proper markings and permits, and a good trailer, it is not a big deal. If you plan to keep the larger boat, you may want to invest in a diesel They are stronger and more fuel efficient when towing very large loads, where lots of torque is required.
>>I trailered my last boat (a 2001 Wellcraft Coastal 270) from OH to MD when I bought it, then from MD to NM and later NM to FL. It was 9'8" wide and 28.5' long. I've also trailered my current boat (2003 Worldcat 330TE) from Ft Myers to Valdosta, Valdosta to Panama City (twice), PC to Pensacola about 1/2 dozen times, and PC to Venice, LA once.<<I want to do a lot of "Friday after work, drive 200 miles, fish Sat & 1/2 day Sun, get home".* Would you do that with your boat?Thanks again
I used to trailer my 47 Fountain with my ram 3500 Cummins 6 speed. Moved perfectly fine down the road with a triple axle trailer. I think your just being nervous however with the bridge watch your heights.
Have you ever drove into Baja before? I go down there often and I can tell you that the roads are narrow and don't have any berms along the sides in most areas except deep ditches or long drop offs. The roads after the toll road is only 10' wide. I don't know the beam width of your boat, but I have a 25' Parker with a 9'6" beam and it can be a white knuckle drive to say the least. I'm not saying don't go but be very prepared. Also I would get rid of your trailer and get a good aluminum triple axle to save you some weight .
There's no doubt in my mind that large loads / trailers require special knowledge.....it is a learning curve. If you are really interested in getting over the hump with professional knowledge and confidence, take a tractor trailer driving course. The idea might be just a tad over the top, but the knowledge and exposure will probably make the difference somewhere down the road. Personally I think it should be mandated for all trailer haulers.
I leave my boat in PC, but I do drive just under 200 miles every time I use it. Often, I will get up at 0400 to be fishing at 0630 (1 hour time change), then drive home that night.
Your (plural) average day of fishing involves a good deal of suffering on your part just to get to and from the water.
I guess I do 40 miles each way (pulling a ~34') sometimes, but that's by choice on nice flat highways. Best regards, it's the mountains and your weather that would spook me trailering.
For comparisons sake, the next time you see a 36' or so 5th RV trailer going down the road consider this, he is probably dragging near 16,000# of trailer that has much more windage than a boat. There are many more of these trailers running around than larger than average boats & they like to wander around all kinds of back roads.
I have trailered for years a 11,000# 30' boat 8 hours from home to the Keys and now trailer a 38' boat and trailer at about the same weight with no problem. Just all the extras in case of a problem, spare tires, big enough jack, bearing buddies, etc.
Do you Trailer a Large Large Boat 
