Trailering regs

[Jay Williams]

We bought a 2001 Hunter 260 and are taking delivery in about a month. I've been trying to locate info on regulations for towing trailers in states up and down the east coast, but have struck out. Does anyone know where I can find this info? I mainly need info for CT, NY, NJ, PA, MD, VA, and DE. Any personal experiences on roadways in these areas will help also. Thanks in advance,Jays/v Lagniappe

 

[Frank]

AAA

Join AAA you will not regret it. Atleast we think it is worth while and a great deal.

 

[Ken Shubert]

Over Sized Load ?

You'll find that you're beam is too wide for at least a couple of those states but nobody seems to pay any attention. There was an internet site that had all the regs compiled in easy to handle form but it's not there anymore. There were two types of sites: Professional truckers and Recreational Vehicles.If you stay on interstates and wide roads you shouldn't be challenged but on narrow country roads, the local sheriff may discuss it with you. AAA sounds like a good bet.KenS/V Wouff Hong

 

[Joe]

What to do?

Hi Jay,First let me say that after having a boat with a 7' 10" beam that is legal to trailer everywhere, I really like the extra room in the H260 which is not legal to trailer anywhere without a permit. You can usually get the whole scoop from each state's Dept. of Transportation. In all but about 4 states the legal limit is 8' 6". In the other four (most of them out west I think)the limit is 8'. The states that I checked on were NC, SC and Fl. they all issue an annual permit (for $100, $20, and $18 respectively.) You have to have wide load signs and flags and can only travel from daylight to dark. The other side of the picture is that the 260 is only 5 1/2" over size and nobody seems to pay much attention. They do say that the boat really fills up the lane at a toll booth. One thing that might be valuable to know ahead of time is how much is the fine if your caught.Good Luck,Joe C. in NC'01 H260Windward Passage

 

[Chris]

260 is too wide....

Personally, I think it is really crappy for Hunter to market the 260 as "trailerable" and not warn prospective owners that it is not LEAGALLY trailerable without a permit. Hell, a 54 motor yacht is "trailerable". The issue, besides a possible but unlikely fine, is that if you get in an accident and other side figures out that you are trailering an overwide load without proper signs, permits and possibly and escort, you will be at fault and open to large liablity suits.I hope someone sues the hell out of Hunter for misleading their customers.Regards,ChrisS/V DoghouseH23

 

[John Revenboer]

Trailered the 260

I have trailered my 2001 260 from Canada to Nebraska to Cape Cod and back to Canada. I was only questioned once at a Toll Booth and had to pay for a permit, but other than that once I have gone through a lot of toll booths and covered a lot of interstate with no problems. Just be sure to remove the vertical centering guides that are used to center the boat onto the trailer when retrieving the boat in the water.