Is it Legal?

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Calvin Smith

The Hunter 26 has a beam of 8'11". At least one other boat manufacturer says that the maximum towing width without special permit is 8'6". Is the H26 street legal in this respect? Thanks
 
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Russ King

Depends....

Most, if not all, states/provinces allow 8' 6" maximum width. Some states/provinces require a permit for greater widths. Some don't. Some permits allow seasonal use, others are point-to-point (one-time use); there are several variations. Phone your local highways department to find out what your options are.
 
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Calvin Smith

Ups...

Georgia gives a 10 day 1 way only permit for $37.00. Since I plan to trailor often I will not buy this boat. I think Hunter should be up front about this and advertise this boat as a By permit trailorable.
 
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Tom

Don't worry about it....

It has never been a problem for me or any of the other 26/260 owners I've ever talked to. It's a good boat.
 
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TODD

not an issue

While we don't trailor much, the only people who stop us, want to look at the boat closer, not measure the beam width. Have fun, we do. P.S. sounds like a jealous Catalina dealer trying to sell you an inferior boat ... oops did I say that out loud...
 
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T J Furstenau

Never been stopped

This discussion has come up before, and no 26 owner that I know of has ever been stopped for exceeding width. One was even a police officer who said she wouldn't consider stopping a boat, that sho only ever really looked at commercial vehicles for wide-load violations. I've put a lot of miles on mine, and that was never a worry for me. So, I guess my philosophy is "Ask for forgiveness, not for permission."
 
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Ralph C. Regar

Where are you going?

It mostly depends on where you are headed and what happens along the way. I agree with the respondent who says that Hunter should be more up-front about this issue concerning the H26/H260. TECHNICALLY, you need a permit to travel on major highways. There are companies which, for a fee, will arrange permits. You will need to provide them with your itinerary. Your state highway department, state police or a local contractor who moves large equipment over the highways can provide you with names of companies which provide permit service. ON THE OTHER HAND, most boating/resort areas do not hassle you about a permit as long as you are only moving, for example, from your storage area to the launching ramp. Last May, I passed through a police check point with my H260 in tow on the way to the ramp, and no permit. I asked the officer what they were checking for. He said, "We are checking for seat belts." (I ALWAYS wear mine.) He then said, "Nice boat!" I am sure that the officer realized that I had an over-width boat in tow, but our police are interested in our safety and are not out there to hassle people. HOWEVER, if you were to get involved in a highway accident, the authorities, who normally are not "out to get you" may be compelled to cite you for a violation. The lawyers and your insurance company will then also get involved. BOTTOM LINE: If you are towing locally, ask your local boatyard about the attitude of local authorities. If you are going long distance, you may want to talk to your insurance agent about how you would be covered in the event of an accident with/without a permit. You may decide that you would be better off getting the permit(s) for a long trip. Best of luck! Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala
 
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