I am currently considering purchasing a Hunter 260 that we plan on trailering quite a lot. Are there any issues with the fact that the boat is over legal width? How do you handle that?
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M
Mark
down here
We have to have overwidth permits flashing amber lights and oversize signs front and back and can't drive when the sun goes down. I would choose not to do any of the above if it wasn't for the fact that if I have an accident or some other person runs into me I would not have any insurance cover. Now just as a matter of interest (before all the macho men come on board) we tow ours with a little landrover discovery Tdi that pulls it along easily and will pull her out of the water without any fuss. Regards
We have to have overwidth permits flashing amber lights and oversize signs front and back and can't drive when the sun goes down. I would choose not to do any of the above if it wasn't for the fact that if I have an accident or some other person runs into me I would not have any insurance cover. Now just as a matter of interest (before all the macho men come on board) we tow ours with a little landrover discovery Tdi that pulls it along easily and will pull her out of the water without any fuss. Regards
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Mike
I trailer mine in AL, FL all the time
I have had no problems. We are only 6" over the limit and I'm not sure the state police would bother with a recreational boater.
I have had no problems. We are only 6" over the limit and I'm not sure the state police would bother with a recreational boater.
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Clyde
Wide load permit required to be legal
Any load wider than 8' 6'' is required to have a wide load permit issued by your state department of transportation. The permit legally allows you to drive on state highways and roads. You are usually restricted to daytime driving only, check with your state department of transportation. Local county or city maintained roads may have a narrower limit on how wide a load is allowed on their roadways and may not allow you to drive on them even with your state wide load permit. You have to check with your local county and city governments to see if you can drive on county or city maintained roads even with the state issued wide load permit. Fair Winds, Clyde
Any load wider than 8' 6'' is required to have a wide load permit issued by your state department of transportation. The permit legally allows you to drive on state highways and roads. You are usually restricted to daytime driving only, check with your state department of transportation. Local county or city maintained roads may have a narrower limit on how wide a load is allowed on their roadways and may not allow you to drive on them even with your state wide load permit. You have to check with your local county and city governments to see if you can drive on county or city maintained roads even with the state issued wide load permit. Fair Winds, Clyde
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Ron
Permit is legal way, but --
This topic has been discussed before (see archives) and the conclusion seemed to be that you probably need a permit to be perfectly legal, BUT a lot of H26 owners like myself trailer all the time and have never been stopped or questioned about it. Most roads are plenty wide so you probably aren't endangering anyone. I trailer in MN, MI, and WI, but you had best check your state to see how much of a risk you might be taking.
This topic has been discussed before (see archives) and the conclusion seemed to be that you probably need a permit to be perfectly legal, BUT a lot of H26 owners like myself trailer all the time and have never been stopped or questioned about it. Most roads are plenty wide so you probably aren't endangering anyone. I trailer in MN, MI, and WI, but you had best check your state to see how much of a risk you might be taking.
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Calvin
More about permits
In Georgia the legal limit is 8'6" and permits are $75.00 and one way only. Needless to say this law routinely is ignored.
In Georgia the legal limit is 8'6" and permits are $75.00 and one way only. Needless to say this law routinely is ignored.
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Crazy Dave Condon
trailering
I have more miles than anyone trailering the older Hunter 26 and the Hunter 260. In fact I have trailered both and one favorite place which I have not been to in several years is Sandusky Harbor Marina. Legal limit on the interstate is 8'6" and then it varies on on the secondary state roads as to 8' or 8'6". The boat is 8'11" wide. The sillowet of the boat does not show the true width. IF you are a sticler for getting a wide load permit, then you can only travel at certain times and days. However, it is so close that in all the years since 1994, never have I been stopped for this in nearly all the states east of the Mississippi. I have been pulled in Virginia for no tag. Once I was asked the width at the WVA turnpike now I 77 booth and I said 8"6" and that was it. I sold two of these boats to state trooper and they did not get wide load. If involved with an accident, then the accident is determined on what happenned. You need to determine what you want to do but everyone that I know doesn't bother with the wide load permits and I had one officer tell me that he is not worried about that except to be cautious when pulling any boat. Crazy Dave Condon
I have more miles than anyone trailering the older Hunter 26 and the Hunter 260. In fact I have trailered both and one favorite place which I have not been to in several years is Sandusky Harbor Marina. Legal limit on the interstate is 8'6" and then it varies on on the secondary state roads as to 8' or 8'6". The boat is 8'11" wide. The sillowet of the boat does not show the true width. IF you are a sticler for getting a wide load permit, then you can only travel at certain times and days. However, it is so close that in all the years since 1994, never have I been stopped for this in nearly all the states east of the Mississippi. I have been pulled in Virginia for no tag. Once I was asked the width at the WVA turnpike now I 77 booth and I said 8"6" and that was it. I sold two of these boats to state trooper and they did not get wide load. If involved with an accident, then the accident is determined on what happenned. You need to determine what you want to do but everyone that I know doesn't bother with the wide load permits and I had one officer tell me that he is not worried about that except to be cautious when pulling any boat. Crazy Dave Condon
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Dennis
Dave is right
Here in California the Highway patrol has told me that as long as you stay in your lane and not braking any laws, you will never be stopped. The trailer is 8'6". Other boat companies will use this to steer you away from the best trailerable on the market today. I have never heard of anyone who has had any problems.
Here in California the Highway patrol has told me that as long as you stay in your lane and not braking any laws, you will never be stopped. The trailer is 8'6". Other boat companies will use this to steer you away from the best trailerable on the market today. I have never heard of anyone who has had any problems.
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Al
never worried about it myself...
I've never seen a policeman measuring a boat. Even if they did take a tape measure out on the highway, they would likely measure the trailer which is 8' 6" ! They would not be able to measure the beam of the boat accurately enough to cite you.
I've never seen a policeman measuring a boat. Even if they did take a tape measure out on the highway, they would likely measure the trailer which is 8' 6" ! They would not be able to measure the beam of the boat accurately enough to cite you.
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Thomas Tongue
8'6" Trailer?
8'6" Trailer? How does one get an 8'11" beam between two poles 8'6" apart (the widest part of the trailer, right?)? I'm only pulling your chain, but it's a valid question. Just what part of the trailer is 8'6"? Tom
8'6" Trailer? How does one get an 8'11" beam between two poles 8'6" apart (the widest part of the trailer, right?)? I'm only pulling your chain, but it's a valid question. Just what part of the trailer is 8'6"? Tom
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Al
wheel base is 8' 6"
measured from outermost parts of each tire. Therefore there are 2.5 inches of the boat "overhanging" on each side.
measured from outermost parts of each tire. Therefore there are 2.5 inches of the boat "overhanging" on each side.
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Craig C.
post a sign
I would post a sign announcing the width of the boat on the trailer. Then write back in a year and tell everyone how you still never got pulled over. Bottom line, it just does not happen...........Anyone who worrys about it needs to get a life.
I would post a sign announcing the width of the boat on the trailer. Then write back in a year and tell everyone how you still never got pulled over. Bottom line, it just does not happen...........Anyone who worrys about it needs to get a life.
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Harvey Small
"Shut up", he explained...
Enough already! Yes, we fudge the trailer width issue and take advantage of the fact that few highway patrol officers are sailors, and those that are have bigger fish to fry. Our trailers are much narrower than the 18-wheelers, they are no trouble on the interstate, and caution is in order between the interstate and the launch ramp. So let's end this discussion before it finds it's way to a little donut shop on the information highway -- you know, the one where the cops hang out at!!!
Enough already! Yes, we fudge the trailer width issue and take advantage of the fact that few highway patrol officers are sailors, and those that are have bigger fish to fry. Our trailers are much narrower than the 18-wheelers, they are no trouble on the interstate, and caution is in order between the interstate and the launch ramp. So let's end this discussion before it finds it's way to a little donut shop on the information highway -- you know, the one where the cops hang out at!!!
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