I'm about to hit the road for about 1200 mile tow. I have the factory trailer for the H26 which has the trailer lights mounted on guide ons. I was thinking that it might make towing a little easier if I were to take the guide ons off and mount the lights to the trailer frame. I understand that the H26 is slightly over legal width and the guide ons would seem to push it over even more. I am particularly paranoid about going through Seattle's narrow freeway lanes. Also I wonder if I will be charged with being over width on the Twassen-Duke Point Ferry. I am curious to know if anyone has any suggestions for making things easier on the highway?
H26 Trailer Question
- Thread starter pmeyers
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BwanaTheIguana
Sure...
After you load the boat loosen up the bolts on the guides. Push them together so they measure 8'6'' on the ouside. This should be pretty close to the width of the trailer at the wheels. I'd love to see anyone measure the width of the hull itself accurately... For the rest I'd read George's trailer guide. He's the definitive answer to just about anything Hunter. I towed my 260 for almost 3000 miles last year and I am set to do it again in a few weeks. It's a big job, make sure your vehicle is up to it. The rewards are great though.
After you load the boat loosen up the bolts on the guides. Push them together so they measure 8'6'' on the ouside. This should be pretty close to the width of the trailer at the wheels. I'd love to see anyone measure the width of the hull itself accurately... For the rest I'd read George's trailer guide. He's the definitive answer to just about anything Hunter. I towed my 260 for almost 3000 miles last year and I am set to do it again in a few weeks. It's a big job, make sure your vehicle is up to it. The rewards are great though.
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Fred
They charged me for over width
and over height on the Duke Point - Tsawassen ferry with my H26 on factory trsiler. It added a hundred bucks one way to the car and driver fare for one passenger and the boat. Over height is 7' on BC Ferries, and over wide is also over 7'. The lanes on the upper car decks are narrow, and there really is only 7 feet of height in places. The bottom deck is for trucks up to 14' high. Have you looked into the Black Ball ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria? The road is good if you cut off at Olympia on HWY 101 to Port angeles. Black Ball link attached. I don't know if they charge for over height or width. The Coho (Black Ball) is all quite high in the car deck. I took my guide bars off so I can take the Gabriola Island ferry without over height and width, with no boat on the trailer. I just got a couple of 4" L brackets and bolted the lights on the brackets then bolted the brackets where the guide bars bolt on. Had to use bigger washers because the L bracket holes are too small for the guide bar bolts. The licence plate bracket uses the same bolts as the light. I plan to replace the guide bar bolts with stainless bolts when I put them back on to retrieve the boat.
and over height on the Duke Point - Tsawassen ferry with my H26 on factory trsiler. It added a hundred bucks one way to the car and driver fare for one passenger and the boat. Over height is 7' on BC Ferries, and over wide is also over 7'. The lanes on the upper car decks are narrow, and there really is only 7 feet of height in places. The bottom deck is for trucks up to 14' high. Have you looked into the Black Ball ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria? The road is good if you cut off at Olympia on HWY 101 to Port angeles. Black Ball link attached. I don't know if they charge for over height or width. The Coho (Black Ball) is all quite high in the car deck. I took my guide bars off so I can take the Gabriola Island ferry without over height and width, with no boat on the trailer. I just got a couple of 4" L brackets and bolted the lights on the brackets then bolted the brackets where the guide bars bolt on. Had to use bigger washers because the L bracket holes are too small for the guide bar bolts. The licence plate bracket uses the same bolts as the light. I plan to replace the guide bar bolts with stainless bolts when I put them back on to retrieve the boat.
Good thought
Thanks Fred, I had forgotten the ferry out of Port Angeles. It seems that the cost is about a wash between Twassen and Port Angeles. Advantage to Port Angeles of course is not having to drive through Seattle. I have never been through Seattle when it wasn't a parking lot from Tacoma north.
Thanks Fred, I had forgotten the ferry out of Port Angeles. It seems that the cost is about a wash between Twassen and Port Angeles. Advantage to Port Angeles of course is not having to drive through Seattle. I have never been through Seattle when it wasn't a parking lot from Tacoma north.
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Fred
George, the issue isn't traffic,
it's BC Ferries high extra fare for over high and over wide. It was sixty five bucks extra (over the $25 extra for the trailer and boat length, total of $90 for boat and trailer) for high and wide last time I brought the boat from the mainland to Vancouver Island, and $25 extra for high and wide(over the $25 for boat and trailer, $50 extra total) for the Gabriola Island Ferry.
it's BC Ferries high extra fare for over high and over wide. It was sixty five bucks extra (over the $25 extra for the trailer and boat length, total of $90 for boat and trailer) for high and wide last time I brought the boat from the mainland to Vancouver Island, and $25 extra for high and wide(over the $25 for boat and trailer, $50 extra total) for the Gabriola Island Ferry.
Actually it is both
for me. I just looked at the BC Ferries site and the fees seem to have gone up. Oversize Passenger Vehicle & Trailer (Over 7' high, up to 20' long): $63.50 My truck is 20', so add about 30' for the trailer X $3.50/foot=$70 plus fuel charges, ferry food etc. Maybe I won't eat the ferry food this time. I do also have a slight concern driving in heavy freeway traffic with a lot of big trucks, narrow lanes and taking off someone's mirror with the guide on. Seems like they serve no purpose while on the road and add almost a foot to the width of trailer. George I have gone through your trailering reccomendations and have made a few additions as a result, including cinching down the mast. Just had the tires changed on the trailer; realized that the previous owner had used passenger car tires. Looks like I'll be getting to BC for the Canada Day weekend. Looking forward to it.
for me. I just looked at the BC Ferries site and the fees seem to have gone up. Oversize Passenger Vehicle & Trailer (Over 7' high, up to 20' long): $63.50 My truck is 20', so add about 30' for the trailer X $3.50/foot=$70 plus fuel charges, ferry food etc. Maybe I won't eat the ferry food this time. I do also have a slight concern driving in heavy freeway traffic with a lot of big trucks, narrow lanes and taking off someone's mirror with the guide on. Seems like they serve no purpose while on the road and add almost a foot to the width of trailer. George I have gone through your trailering reccomendations and have made a few additions as a result, including cinching down the mast. Just had the tires changed on the trailer; realized that the previous owner had used passenger car tires. Looks like I'll be getting to BC for the Canada Day weekend. Looking forward to it.
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BwanaTheIguana
Guides...
George... I checked out your pic and see your guides are waaaaaay wider than mine. The outside width on mine are 8'6" (legal trailering width in most states) and are snug width the lights underneath. I actually started moving them out just before launching the boat and bringing them back to 8'6" before taking the open road. (It's a three minute job the way my trailer is set up) When I got the boat they were at 8'6" and I just crammed the boat between the guides without even thinking about it for the longest time. Sure it squeeked but hey, so do a lot of my joints. Can you do me favor and measure the outside width on your guides?
George... I checked out your pic and see your guides are waaaaaay wider than mine. The outside width on mine are 8'6" (legal trailering width in most states) and are snug width the lights underneath. I actually started moving them out just before launching the boat and bringing them back to 8'6" before taking the open road. (It's a three minute job the way my trailer is set up) When I got the boat they were at 8'6" and I just crammed the boat between the guides without even thinking about it for the longest time. Sure it squeeked but hey, so do a lot of my joints. Can you do me favor and measure the outside width on your guides?
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Fred
pmyers, my guides are like yours, I think
bolted solid to the outside of the trailer frame with 4 bolts. I took the guides off and mounted the lights and licence plate on a small L bracket from the hardware store. I can carry the guides in the boat or in the tow vehicle. I think it gives a bit more clearance. I'll put the guides back on to launch and retrieve.
bolted solid to the outside of the trailer frame with 4 bolts. I took the guides off and mounted the lights and licence plate on a small L bracket from the hardware store. I can carry the guides in the boat or in the tow vehicle. I think it gives a bit more clearance. I'll put the guides back on to launch and retrieve.
Question for Fred
Fred, yes we must have the same guides. Quick question re; the ferry. I should hit the Twassen/Duke point ferry Sunday afternoon. I realize that this is Canada day weekend. In your experience is it realistic to be able to get on a Sunday afternoon ferry with no reservation? It's hard to make reservations when you never know how long it will take to get through Seattle or across the border.
Fred, yes we must have the same guides. Quick question re; the ferry. I should hit the Twassen/Duke point ferry Sunday afternoon. I realize that this is Canada day weekend. In your experience is it realistic to be able to get on a Sunday afternoon ferry with no reservation? It's hard to make reservations when you never know how long it will take to get through Seattle or across the border.
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Fred
Reply from Fred
PM, my experience is that without a reservation, you figure on a one sailing wait from either side of the Tsawassen/Duke point run on any summer weekend. Sometimes you get lucky and make the boat. Sometimes you get unlucky and wait two sailings. I just checked the BCFC website. They have reservation spsce left as of now for all runs on Sunday. I think Black Ball/Coho takes reservations now, so you that may be an option. BCFC will put on an extra run or two if they have boats available. Also, 5:15 AM sailings are not usually in overload. You could cruise through Seattle/Tacoma late at night for low traffic, park in the Tsawassen line up and sleep on the boat, then get the 5:15 AM. I don't know if it's a holiday in the States this weekend. Sunday might not be too bad on the I-5. Please feel free to keep in touch at waterrat@island.net We hope to put the boat in at Port McNeil in August to see the whales. Maybe we can trade a whale watching afternoon for a west side afternoon.
PM, my experience is that without a reservation, you figure on a one sailing wait from either side of the Tsawassen/Duke point run on any summer weekend. Sometimes you get lucky and make the boat. Sometimes you get unlucky and wait two sailings. I just checked the BCFC website. They have reservation spsce left as of now for all runs on Sunday. I think Black Ball/Coho takes reservations now, so you that may be an option. BCFC will put on an extra run or two if they have boats available. Also, 5:15 AM sailings are not usually in overload. You could cruise through Seattle/Tacoma late at night for low traffic, park in the Tsawassen line up and sleep on the boat, then get the 5:15 AM. I don't know if it's a holiday in the States this weekend. Sunday might not be too bad on the I-5. Please feel free to keep in touch at waterrat@island.net We hope to put the boat in at Port McNeil in August to see the whales. Maybe we can trade a whale watching afternoon for a west side afternoon.
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Tom Cooper
Ferryt to Vancouver Island
While two crossing have been mentioned you can also look at Washington state Ferry System they run through the San Jauns and end up in Sidney.B.C.They leave from Anacortes a beautiful trip.Hope you have a great time in the Pacific North West Tom Cooper Prologue 1 V32
While two crossing have been mentioned you can also look at Washington state Ferry System they run through the San Jauns and end up in Sidney.B.C.They leave from Anacortes a beautiful trip.Hope you have a great time in the Pacific North West Tom Cooper Prologue 1 V32
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Fred
Good suggestion, Tom.
I read something about the Washington ferry, discounts for motor homes to compete with Black Ball. Might be worth a look at their web site. It's a bit out of the way. Leave from Anacortes and arrive in Sydney, so 30-45 minutes from the main highway on either side.
I read something about the Washington ferry, discounts for motor homes to compete with Black Ball. Might be worth a look at their web site. It's a bit out of the way. Leave from Anacortes and arrive in Sydney, so 30-45 minutes from the main highway on either side.
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Paul
Thanks Tom
Thanks, Tom, I didn't know they ran a vehicle ferry out of Anacortes. It must be a beautiful trip and when I checked on price it is comparable to BC Ferries and Port Angeles. I guess I'll make a decision when I get close to Seattle. Fred, your suggestion about connecting when you are in MacNeil sounds good. Be happy to show you the Quatsino area. 'll seend you an email when we get into Port Alice. Thanks for your help./
Thanks, Tom, I didn't know they ran a vehicle ferry out of Anacortes. It must be a beautiful trip and when I checked on price it is comparable to BC Ferries and Port Angeles. I guess I'll make a decision when I get close to Seattle. Fred, your suggestion about connecting when you are in MacNeil sounds good. Be happy to show you the Quatsino area. 'll seend you an email when we get into Port Alice. Thanks for your help./
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Fred
Happy trails, Paul
We plan for first or second week of August to get up to Port McNeil. Keep us posted. But don't tell ANYBODY about the north end of Vancouver Island.
We plan for first or second week of August to get up to Port McNeil. Keep us posted. But don't tell ANYBODY about the north end of Vancouver Island.
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Tom Cooper
Trailor to Van iland
Fred Yes it is 25 mins to anacortes,but trying to get through the boarder on a holiday weekend can take hours.But if he does the boarder thing, best bet is to use the the truck exit onto 176th, after clearing custons go to traffic light left turn takes you to Hwy 99
Fred Yes it is 25 mins to anacortes,but trying to get through the boarder on a holiday weekend can take hours.But if he does the boarder thing, best bet is to use the the truck exit onto 176th, after clearing custons go to traffic light left turn takes you to Hwy 99
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Fred
Blaine can be slow all right., and the truck
crossing can also be backed up on a weekend. The Port Angeles (Black Ball/Coho) is pretty quick for customs, like Anacortes-Sydney. Anacortes - Sydney is a very pretty run, too. Narrow passages through the San Juan Islands. Nice thing about trailering an H26 is you have your home and cooking handy, so a delay or detour doesn't leave you out in the cold.
crossing can also be backed up on a weekend. The Port Angeles (Black Ball/Coho) is pretty quick for customs, like Anacortes-Sydney. Anacortes - Sydney is a very pretty run, too. Narrow passages through the San Juan Islands. Nice thing about trailering an H26 is you have your home and cooking handy, so a delay or detour doesn't leave you out in the cold.
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BwanaTheIguana
George....same guide setup
George, my guide setup is exactly the same as yours. Lights and movable guides posts right next to it. I guess the trailer was modified at one point. My moving the guides to (pre=marked) 8'6" is simply for the state troopers. One look at the trailer with guides fully open will make it rather clear that you're over width. You'll find that the outside of the wheel covers is 8'6" also. Measuring the real beam of the boat will be very dificult on the side of the highway. Giving the cops nothing easy to measure that's over width makes me drive around a bit less stressed. So for you guys that have fixed guide posts.... How wide are they apart?? And do you have a 260 or a smaller boat?
George, my guide setup is exactly the same as yours. Lights and movable guides posts right next to it. I guess the trailer was modified at one point. My moving the guides to (pre=marked) 8'6" is simply for the state troopers. One look at the trailer with guides fully open will make it rather clear that you're over width. You'll find that the outside of the wheel covers is 8'6" also. Measuring the real beam of the boat will be very dificult on the side of the highway. Giving the cops nothing easy to measure that's over width makes me drive around a bit less stressed. So for you guys that have fixed guide posts.... How wide are they apart?? And do you have a 260 or a smaller boat?
Update...
Thought I'd provide an followup to my original post: Trailered my boat up with no problem. 1200 miles.I ended up going through Seattle and suprisingly the traffic wasn't too bad except downtown. I was very glad that I had removed the guides given the narrow lanes. Crossed the border at Blain with about an hour border delay. Missed the 3:45 ferry so crossed on the 5:45, which put us to Costco 15 minutes before they closed. $203 for the ferry! Got into Port Alice at about 2:00 am. I raised the mast and launched the boat today with no problem. I put the guide ons back on and they fit right over the light brackets that I had made. Tomorrow I go sailing. Thanks for all of the suggestions and information. As suggested using zip ties is a great way to keep things organized, from chafing and from dropping off the boat. They're cheap and disposable and quick to use. I find the H26 trailer to be well suited to the boat and very stable on the hightway. Overall a trouble free experience; thanks to good preparation as suggested by George
Thought I'd provide an followup to my original post: Trailered my boat up with no problem. 1200 miles.I ended up going through Seattle and suprisingly the traffic wasn't too bad except downtown. I was very glad that I had removed the guides given the narrow lanes. Crossed the border at Blain with about an hour border delay. Missed the 3:45 ferry so crossed on the 5:45, which put us to Costco 15 minutes before they closed. $203 for the ferry! Got into Port Alice at about 2:00 am. I raised the mast and launched the boat today with no problem. I put the guide ons back on and they fit right over the light brackets that I had made. Tomorrow I go sailing. Thanks for all of the suggestions and information. As suggested using zip ties is a great way to keep things organized, from chafing and from dropping off the boat. They're cheap and disposable and quick to use. I find the H26 trailer to be well suited to the boat and very stable on the hightway. Overall a trouble free experience; thanks to good preparation as suggested by George
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