need advice from H27 owners

[Bonzai]

Hello ,I am stuck on the idea of buying a shoal draft (3'3") keel H27 to trailer to different places...and want to know who here has done this with this particular boat and what was needed in the way of special set up/launch techniques. I want to be able to launch and rig w/o cranes and lifts.Using regular boat ramps for launch and retrieval.I have a 10k# trailer and a 7.3 Powerstroke turbo-diesel truck and am confident pulling any load any distance.How hard/expensive to get permits to haul boat etc. Also,are most of these type H27s deck stepped mast?Thanks guys and gals! I am very serious about getting this to work if at all possible.

 

[MrUnix]

Which truck do you have? A quick look at the GVWR on the powerstroke F350's seems to indicate that you will be well over it's limits by quite a bit...

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Bonzai]

Hi Brad,have a 97 F-250HD.Its a real hoss.My mechanic says the 7000# boat plus trailer and equipment shouldnt be over 10,000# total and should be no problem for my truck.I plan to build a bolt together a-frame to stabilize mast while raising with a 6,000# 12V remote controlled winch.A-frame bolts to each side of boat at toerail ,shrouds hook to bridals attached to a-frame then chainplates,apex runs aft and has boom attach point top,winch attach point lower,then wench up from the bow pulpit to the rear with wench pulling downward on boom.What do ya think...am i nuts or can this be done by 1 person?

 

[fifedog]

I would think that the first hurdle you would have is at a boat ramp. How long is the trailer? Imagine how far you're going to have to back that pickem-up into the water before you can float off the trailer. I couldn't imagine trailering my 7000 lb whale-tail, let alone launching it single-handed. (Think about stretches of drought...)
If I was faced with your set of "wants", I would start with a 20 footer with a dagger board or fully retractable centerboard. A Chesapeake 20 would fit that bill.

 

[C Jones]

Bonzai, Your truck will handle it fine. I had a 96 just like it.
The permit needed will be for a wide load.
8' wide is the max. width in most states without a wide load permit.
The newer h27's have a 9' 11" beam
You will need to contact your states Dept. of Public safety for fees
Lake levels and ramp length will be your only concerns.
It seems you are pretty handy so I would build or buy a adjustable trailer
tounge that extends 20'.
My h23 has a 2' 3" wing keel and with the stock trailer (no extension) my back tires are just touching the water launching it.
My truck is a 4x4 so that is not a concern for me.
This can work with good planning. Good luck, Charles