sailusvi

Thanks y’all, great info!
If we should get the Grady 282, I think a couple of us guys would bring it up to South Portland from the Chesapeake area on its own bottom, about 490 miles by water. Probably a 1000 bucks or so in fuel.

Captain_0bvious

.....$1000 in fuel, but how much in beer?? Could be a spendy trip.

J0SH

Anybody tow boats over 8'6 in New Jersey? Seems like a PITA. I've driven box trucks 8'6 wide on RT130 and you can't even be next to another truck or your mirrors will hit.

PremierPOWER

I absolutely do. In 14,000 miles I have never once been stopped, but it's not worth the risk to me to not follow the law. I'm more worried about civil liability if anything were to happen. The states (FL, GA, TN, KY, IN, OH, MI, MS, IL) that I have been in so far have been very easy to get permits online. I get annual permits with the exception of Illinois and Missouri, those I have done trip specific.

sailusvi

this is why I’ll bring it up on its own bottom...if I should ever get a boat to bring up LOL

rainmaker

Just an FYI . I have a 282 Grady Sailfish. It weighs 12,490 lbs with basically full fuel (220 gallons). No water, which would be 32 gallons and hot water tank empty , 6 gallons. This is on a Load-rite Elite triple axle trailer. It and my truck F-350 SRW was just over 20,000 lbs.

slickcav

bringing a new used unfamiliar boat up on its own bottom just after you purchased it while it seems like a great idea can be plagued with plenty of unforeseen problems that would outweigh trailering the boat home on the road and getting a few permits. Tractor trailers and other big rigs routinely drive all over the country, if you are worried about tight roads etc then try to map out a few different routes where you stay on some main large highways.

Engine issues, fuel issues, electrical issues, navigation issues, weather issues. Where are your fuel stops, where are you staying overnight, where do you run to for plan B C and D when weather kicks up or boat troubles. Whose car are you borrowing or are you ubering to go get parts. I live on the Chesapeake Bay and it goes from slick calm to 3+ tight chop with a breath of wind and a switch of the tide, further down the bay its even worse, big big water.

Can it be done? Yes for sure. Plan accordingly, bring spare parts, watch the weather, study the routes. Or buy the boat and haul it home on its trailer and be home in a day.

Or better yet, fly down, sea trial the boat, inspect the trailer, and have a hauler worry about all the logistics stroke a 1200$ check and fly back home boat will be there stress free.

old hat

this. Towing through congested traffic along the I95 corridor sound like fun...not.

Southbay

Wow!! I am amazed at how far and often some of you tow. I give you guys a lot of credit. You all also have some pretty awesome rigs, makes me jealous, but not jealous enough to trailer my boat, haha.

Northcoast 24

I tow my north coast as often as possible. Towing it means using it😁. It’s 9’3” wide. I got tow more than a few miles but I hope to tow to cape cod bay next year. I do have a class a cdl and move heavy equipment regularly do this is no big deal. But I would not do what you are considering! Hire a hauler and let them worry about everything!

juanpablo

just boat a boat from miami (i live in delaware) flew down looked at the boat, called a surveyor flew back down for the survey and sea trial, bought the boat and am now waiting for hauler to bring it to me. At 2.25 a mile it hurts to write that check but no stress on me or my truck.

chrisrack

By way of this thread as a reminder, I just purchased an oversized Florida permit to haul a 9'6" boat. Only cost $20 for a year.

sailusvi

Thank you for all the great suggestions ! I have no problem paying someone to haul it but the trailer would need some extensive brake work before anyone could make that drive. Boat and trailer will not fit on a a low boy due to height of the boat/trailer at 13ft 9 inch. This is why my thinking of taking it via water. I’m a 30 year boater and just sold a 42ft trawler and 17ft Montauk.
No decisions made yet....at any rate it would be a spring/summer time journey.
thanks again

slickcav

many haulers have their own trailer, buy a new/used trailer in maine for it and negotiate the boat less trailer, 750-1k value probably.

dannyroche

If you have a vehicle that can safely do it and a special permit you are good to go. If you want to risk it, you may be ok as well. Some LEOs are boat owners and may know you re oversized, but who knows.

berrie

I've towed this probably 4,000 miles in the last 3 years.
10'6 wide, dry weight 10,700 so total weight incl. trailer is probably 13,000.
Towing with an F-250 6.2L gasser. It works, but diesel or 7.3L would be better. Just don't tow enough to justify the outrageous cost of diesel ownership.

berrie

Would you mind if I PM you?
I have EOH on all 3 axles on my trailer, and when loaded I can't get the wheels even close to locking up, even with the controller at max. And any level of braking power starts to come in only after 1.5 - 2 seconds, an eternity when you need to stop fast.

The_Cap

Feel free. I will say there is a slight delay on the brakes, but not near what you're experiencing. I think the only way to have instantaneous braking is electric drums, I wanted to be able to brake in reverse though so electric drums were out.

WV Ridge Runner

Did you make the tow yet? If not, a SF can be fairly tall depending on what radar. Mine started at 14'6' before I adjusted the bunks. 14'2" is as low as I have been able to get it. I have a Furuno open array up top.

PeteVB

I just bought a 29’ x 9’6” boat out of Sault Ste Marie , CN, I met sellers hauler in Saginaw MI and towed to Virginia Beach, Va. Went through the Ohio and PA turnpike without permits, actually did PA after sunset which was against regulation. Probably shouldn’t have but I was delayed up in MI because seller didn’t get an over width permit to cross border and it took 8 hrs for the permit, spent another night in MI so I just wanted to get home.


Buddy let me borrow his duelly, towing long distance with this truck was a breeze.