272LE trailering, legal?

[Josh]

Already thinking about the future, and the probable purchase of a 272LE. That's at least a year down the line though. The 22 suits my purposes for learning and minor travel. The question I have though, is that is the 272 trailerable? I was checking on the laws for trailerability in checking boat dimensions. I read that the legal width is 8.5 feet, but have seen 272's with trailers for sale.My question is with the boat being nine feet across, is it legal? Or is it kind of a 'dont ask, dont tell' or a 'what they dont know wont hurt them' thing?Josh

 

[mark stevens]

102" max legal width

102" is the current max. legal width allowed on federal hiways. Permits are available for oversized loads.Some states allow the purchase of one permit for their state for a period of time with unlimited usage.Oversized permits are usually available at major truck stops. I don't know of any manufacturer that makes a trailer for boats that is more than 102" wide. A 9ft beam boat would certainly fit on one of these trailers with minimal overhang. I doubt seriously if anyone would notice. If your intentions are for short hops from home to launch then you probably wont encounter any trouble? If you intend to use the interstate then you may be stopped for any number of reasons ie. tail light out etc. Apermit costs less than a fine.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Legal NO but being done

Josh: I just bought a 280 which is a 272 with different hull liner and options. I hired a professional to haul it to Phoenix. This he did without any permits whatsoever (6 states crossed)and without any trouble such as getting stopped and measured.It now sits in front of my house where it is being detailed and then will be trailered to a local lake for it's shakedown, and some winter cruising.I am not saying you can get away with everything but this seems like something that is done all the time.Good luck and good sailing: Jim

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Maybe I'm neurotic but ...

It seems to me that the cost of a permit is cheap insurance against a significant fine. I would also expect your insurance company to deny coverage if you are involved in an accident with an illegal vehicle. I believe most states issue permits fairly easily - I know the New England states do anyway.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Josh]

Kind of thought so...

Thats what I kind of figured. As I said, I saw alot of the 272LE's I was pricing had trailers. Wonder if the current owners even know its illegal? Just something I wanted to take into account.The reason I was already thinking of upping the size, was that I found out that the marina here doesn't charge a monthly or yearly fee for moorings. You just have to buy the mooring. I thought 'well hell, if I knew that I would have got a bigger boat!'. The reason I got a readily trailerable 22 was because it wouldn't cost me anything to store it. But with a trailer and a mooring, Id only have to move a 272 twice a year.But we will see, thats a year or three away yet.Josh