I am seriously considering the purchase of a 1997 h26 and have a few questions about trailering. While I plan to keep the boat in a marina slip, the trailerability aspect is appealing for occassional family trips. My questions: 1. The boat looks gosh awful big to me sitting on its trailer. We have a '99 Ford Econoline van with a smaller V-8. Is this type of vehicle adequate to safely trailer the h26 on trips of 200-400 miles? Are there pros/cons of a using a van to trailer? 2. Jerry Cardwell's book ("Sailing Big on a Small Boat")notes that the beam of the h26 exceeds legal limits and that special permits are required. What's the lowdown on this? Big hassle? Costly? Do guys who regularly trailer the h26 actually get a permit each time? Thanks much. This information exchange on this website is excellent and a big part of the reason why I've selected the h26.
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Bill and Nancy Berg
Towing H26
Check the owners manual for the towing capacity. That is no guarantee you will top out hills at 60 mph but whether your vehicle can be damaged by towing the Hunter. Wwe have pulled our H260 in Az, NM and Mexico. The law for New Mexico allows the Hunter width, but in AZ it its not legal. We just went anyway, we were not stopped. Another time, who knows? Bill and Nancy Berg Ay Chihuahua, H 260 Albuquerque, NM
Check the owners manual for the towing capacity. That is no guarantee you will top out hills at 60 mph but whether your vehicle can be damaged by towing the Hunter. Wwe have pulled our H260 in Az, NM and Mexico. The law for New Mexico allows the Hunter width, but in AZ it its not legal. We just went anyway, we were not stopped. Another time, who knows? Bill and Nancy Berg Ay Chihuahua, H 260 Albuquerque, NM
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Tom Myers
E-150 good tow vehicle
Tim, We have a 1999 H260 and tow it with an Econoline (E-150) conversion. Handles the boat with ease. The bulk of the van matches that of the boat and makes for a smooth ride and tow. You just have to get used to being seemingly as long as a football field. Fair winds Tom s/v ANOVA
Tim, We have a 1999 H260 and tow it with an Econoline (E-150) conversion. Handles the boat with ease. The bulk of the van matches that of the boat and makes for a smooth ride and tow. You just have to get used to being seemingly as long as a football field. Fair winds Tom s/v ANOVA
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s/v Thome Inn
Trailering a H-260
I have towed my H-260 from Atlanta to Florida several times with no problems. The road is mostly flat for one thing. I use a Chevy Sierra with a V-8 and regularily drive 70 mph.
I have towed my H-260 from Atlanta to Florida several times with no problems. The road is mostly flat for one thing. I use a Chevy Sierra with a V-8 and regularily drive 70 mph.
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Steve Petrie
legal width
I have trailered an H26 from Idaho to the San Juan Islands four times without problems. Once a state trooper came up to talk about boats while I was parked at a rest area. In 1998, I drove from Idaho to Ohio without incident (except for the flat tire in Nebraska in a blizzard but that is a different story). Bottom line -- Yes, it is too wide, No you will probably not be stopped.
I have trailered an H26 from Idaho to the San Juan Islands four times without problems. Once a state trooper came up to talk about boats while I was parked at a rest area. In 1998, I drove from Idaho to Ohio without incident (except for the flat tire in Nebraska in a blizzard but that is a different story). Bottom line -- Yes, it is too wide, No you will probably not be stopped.
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Russ King
Legal....
Yes, you need a permit in most states adn provinces to tow the H26. Driving without a permit is like driving without a licence. There's no problem until you have an accident (or you're stopped for a routine check). Then the excrement can really hit the rotating blades. Permits are not hard to get. Check at the nearest weigh station, or call your nearest department of highways.
Yes, you need a permit in most states adn provinces to tow the H26. Driving without a permit is like driving without a licence. There's no problem until you have an accident (or you're stopped for a routine check). Then the excrement can really hit the rotating blades. Permits are not hard to get. Check at the nearest weigh station, or call your nearest department of highways.
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Dave Condon
Trailering
Tim; Each state is different as to width for example Virginia on ther roadways is 8 1/2 feet while other states are only 8 feet. On interstates, it is 8 1/2 feet. techinically, you are over width which requires permits. I probably have more miles logged than anyone towing both the 260 and 26 and never once I have gotten wide load permits. you are private and do not have to go through the scales. I have gone through checkpoints and once was nailed for no liscense tag. I have one customer who is in charge of permits for one state and he said the only thing police look at is how beautiful the boat is. As for handling, you have the power but remember that you cannot excelerate fast. you do have brakes on the trailer and make sure they have been inspected if a used boat. Suggest you go slow for the first few miles so you will get use to it. take Wide turns and watch out for low overhangs. Happy sailing Crazy Dave
Tim; Each state is different as to width for example Virginia on ther roadways is 8 1/2 feet while other states are only 8 feet. On interstates, it is 8 1/2 feet. techinically, you are over width which requires permits. I probably have more miles logged than anyone towing both the 260 and 26 and never once I have gotten wide load permits. you are private and do not have to go through the scales. I have gone through checkpoints and once was nailed for no liscense tag. I have one customer who is in charge of permits for one state and he said the only thing police look at is how beautiful the boat is. As for handling, you have the power but remember that you cannot excelerate fast. you do have brakes on the trailer and make sure they have been inspected if a used boat. Suggest you go slow for the first few miles so you will get use to it. take Wide turns and watch out for low overhangs. Happy sailing Crazy Dave
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Russ King
Ford Econoline
Your owner's manual should tell you how big/heavy a trailer you can tow. If you assume the boat, trailer, and gear (including fuel, drinking water, food and personal effects) will weigh 5,000 pounds, you will be in the ballpark. Add the weight of passengers and gear in the van (including any extras, like rear A/C, etc.) and you will have your total load. I suspect that your van will have a towing capacity of about 4,000 or 5,000 pounds. That is about average for a van with a small V8, with a trailer towing package (especially with a transmission cooler).
Your owner's manual should tell you how big/heavy a trailer you can tow. If you assume the boat, trailer, and gear (including fuel, drinking water, food and personal effects) will weigh 5,000 pounds, you will be in the ballpark. Add the weight of passengers and gear in the van (including any extras, like rear A/C, etc.) and you will have your total load. I suspect that your van will have a towing capacity of about 4,000 or 5,000 pounds. That is about average for a van with a small V8, with a trailer towing package (especially with a transmission cooler).
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Russ King
One last note about permits and liability...
Last year I phoned the highways/motor vehicle department to find out about legal trailering limits and permits. I found out there are a couple of kinds of permits available for a trailer the size of the Hunter 26/260. Point-to-point (i.e., when trailering the boat to the marina), and a 'seasonal' permit (so you can trailer the boat back and forth during the sailing season). The 'seasonal' permit is for boats that are "in-between", i.e., between 8'6" and 9'6", or maybe between 8' and 9'. The liability issue is a sticky one. I know because my wife was 'stung' by a very unscrupulous driver. It works like this: 1. You have an accident while towing your Hunter 26/260. 2. Both parties claim innocence. 3. The insurance company/companies decide to allocate 50/50 liability. 4. The other party knows or finds out that your Hunter 26/260 needs a permit (a good lawyer would check this out). 5. The other party sues you AND WINS, because you were driving without the necessary permit: YOU broke the law. (The reasoning is that if you didn't have a permit, you shouldn't have been on the road, therefore the accident would not have occurred. Ergo, you are at fault). The other person could have been driving like a maniac, but without witnesses, you get shafted. A few years ago, someone on this site related an incident about a fellow who cut him off (cut in front and slammed on the brakes), causing an accident. Luckily, a cruising cop saw the whole thing, and gave the maniac driver a ticket. That permit is like an insurance policy. Most of the time you don't need it, but when you do need it, you need it BAD! Or as Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry) said, "Do you feel lucky?"
Last year I phoned the highways/motor vehicle department to find out about legal trailering limits and permits. I found out there are a couple of kinds of permits available for a trailer the size of the Hunter 26/260. Point-to-point (i.e., when trailering the boat to the marina), and a 'seasonal' permit (so you can trailer the boat back and forth during the sailing season). The 'seasonal' permit is for boats that are "in-between", i.e., between 8'6" and 9'6", or maybe between 8' and 9'. The liability issue is a sticky one. I know because my wife was 'stung' by a very unscrupulous driver. It works like this: 1. You have an accident while towing your Hunter 26/260. 2. Both parties claim innocence. 3. The insurance company/companies decide to allocate 50/50 liability. 4. The other party knows or finds out that your Hunter 26/260 needs a permit (a good lawyer would check this out). 5. The other party sues you AND WINS, because you were driving without the necessary permit: YOU broke the law. (The reasoning is that if you didn't have a permit, you shouldn't have been on the road, therefore the accident would not have occurred. Ergo, you are at fault). The other person could have been driving like a maniac, but without witnesses, you get shafted. A few years ago, someone on this site related an incident about a fellow who cut him off (cut in front and slammed on the brakes), causing an accident. Luckily, a cruising cop saw the whole thing, and gave the maniac driver a ticket. That permit is like an insurance policy. Most of the time you don't need it, but when you do need it, you need it BAD! Or as Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry) said, "Do you feel lucky?"
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Dave Condon
Response to Russ King
Russ; I read your note about liability; however, the facts of the accident were not mentioned. I use to be a former adjuster and then an investigator and was damn good at it. So, let me throw in my two cents worth. when I investigated an accident, the issue rested based on the facts of the accident in order to determine liability. If you are too close to the centerline and the lip of the boat over hung in the other lane and struck a car, then you would be liable. Let's look at it from another standpoint. The legal width on a state highway is only 8 feet but the boat is 8' 4". The driver of a semi coming from the opposite direction swerves left of center and strikes the boat. Who is at fault is the semi although the driver towing the boat did not have a wide load permit. Liability rests with the facts or the cause of the accident. I should know the later scenario as it did happen to me and the semi's insurance paid the claim. Just a different perspective. Crazy Dave
Russ; I read your note about liability; however, the facts of the accident were not mentioned. I use to be a former adjuster and then an investigator and was damn good at it. So, let me throw in my two cents worth. when I investigated an accident, the issue rested based on the facts of the accident in order to determine liability. If you are too close to the centerline and the lip of the boat over hung in the other lane and struck a car, then you would be liable. Let's look at it from another standpoint. The legal width on a state highway is only 8 feet but the boat is 8' 4". The driver of a semi coming from the opposite direction swerves left of center and strikes the boat. Who is at fault is the semi although the driver towing the boat did not have a wide load permit. Liability rests with the facts or the cause of the accident. I should know the later scenario as it did happen to me and the semi's insurance paid the claim. Just a different perspective. Crazy Dave
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Russ King
Dave Condon
Hi Dave, I respect insurance investigators. At least the ones that get off their duff and investigate. I agree that in the cases where there is a major accident, an accident investigator will usually identify the cause, or at least catch someone who is lying ("If you were only going 30 mph, how did you manage to leave skid marks for 100 feet?"). My wife was involved in a "fender bender", where there is usually little or no physical evidence, and contrary stories (the other party usually lies about what happened). Our insurance company (mandatory, government-run) doesn't much care who is at fault, because they (the insurance company) pay both claims anyway. So they usually assign 50% blame to each party. And if your premiums go up, big deal. But either party can go to Small Claims Court if they think they have some legal loophole. And when a bad driver is facing a $400 or $800 or $1600 increase in fees/premiums, they will jump at any chance to blame the other person. My wife was unfortunate enough to get in the way of someone driving madly to get to the hospital before their mother died. What really disgusted me was their barefaced lying when they sued my wife. My wife and I are "babes in the woods" when it comes to dealing with unscrupulous people. I just wanted to warn the people here that towing an H26 without that permit does make them vulnerable to the scoundrels and bastards in our society.
Hi Dave, I respect insurance investigators. At least the ones that get off their duff and investigate. I agree that in the cases where there is a major accident, an accident investigator will usually identify the cause, or at least catch someone who is lying ("If you were only going 30 mph, how did you manage to leave skid marks for 100 feet?"). My wife was involved in a "fender bender", where there is usually little or no physical evidence, and contrary stories (the other party usually lies about what happened). Our insurance company (mandatory, government-run) doesn't much care who is at fault, because they (the insurance company) pay both claims anyway. So they usually assign 50% blame to each party. And if your premiums go up, big deal. But either party can go to Small Claims Court if they think they have some legal loophole. And when a bad driver is facing a $400 or $800 or $1600 increase in fees/premiums, they will jump at any chance to blame the other person. My wife was unfortunate enough to get in the way of someone driving madly to get to the hospital before their mother died. What really disgusted me was their barefaced lying when they sued my wife. My wife and I are "babes in the woods" when it comes to dealing with unscrupulous people. I just wanted to warn the people here that towing an H26 without that permit does make them vulnerable to the scoundrels and bastards in our society.
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Dave Condon
Russ King
It is pathetic that our society is sue happy which is well out of hand. Many friends of mine who are attorneys also agree. Rember the stupid case of one who filed a law suit that they did not get their toy in the Cracker Jacks. Pathetic waste of time and money. If there was a law where the defendant won, then the plantiff would have to pay the defense fees and if the plantiff was not able, then the plantiff attorney would have to pay. You think Congress would pass such a law? Crazy Dave
It is pathetic that our society is sue happy which is well out of hand. Many friends of mine who are attorneys also agree. Rember the stupid case of one who filed a law suit that they did not get their toy in the Cracker Jacks. Pathetic waste of time and money. If there was a law where the defendant won, then the plantiff would have to pay the defense fees and if the plantiff was not able, then the plantiff attorney would have to pay. You think Congress would pass such a law? Crazy Dave
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Dave Condon
Reply again to Russ King
It is pathetic that our society is sue happy which is well out of hand. Many friends of mine who are attorneys also agree. Rember the stupid case of one who filed a law suit that they did not get their toy in the Cracker Jacks. Pathetic waste of time and money. If there was a law where the defendant won, then the plantiff would have to pay the defense fees and if the plantiff was not able, then the plantiff attorney would have to pay. You think Congress would pass such a law? Crazy Dave
It is pathetic that our society is sue happy which is well out of hand. Many friends of mine who are attorneys also agree. Rember the stupid case of one who filed a law suit that they did not get their toy in the Cracker Jacks. Pathetic waste of time and money. If there was a law where the defendant won, then the plantiff would have to pay the defense fees and if the plantiff was not able, then the plantiff attorney would have to pay. You think Congress would pass such a law? Crazy Dave
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