Posted: 01 August 2007 at 9:10am | IP Logged

jarata wrote: I am thinking of trailering 8 hours down to maryland do you think that is to far

Depends on what you are trailering...

An 18-24 ft. center console...No problem; but a 30-34 ft. express with an 11-12 ft. beam won't be fun!

Posted: 01 August 2007 at 3:26pm | IP Logged

How about 7,000 miles, EACH WAY!

Posted: 02 August 2007 at 6:41pm | IP Logged

I don't care how far it is. If it interests me I go!

All it takes is a oversize load permit for each state and the time to do it. Longest tow was 1900 miles one way.

Posted: 03 August 2007 at 1:57pm | IP Logged

zerk12 wrote: For me, I would not bother to drive one hour to Maryland; you may be caught on tape - Widman is there with his camera at the launch ramp (hint: wall of shame).

zerk12, you've got to read more and post less. 

I used to live in MD.  Those pictures are from SC.  And I'm just trying to educate boaters who haven't had the advantages of classes, textbooks and boating forums.

Posted: 03 August 2007 at 2:02pm | IP Logged

I don't think we're going to beat Jeff. 

Let's see - at a little under 9 MPG towing, that would be ...........

Posted: 03 August 2007 at 2:10pm | IP Logged

SwampNut wrote: Quote: People are crazy on holiday weekends. You just need a bigger boat.  Some say it's harder to handle, but really it just makes every car around you cower in fear.  If they don't cower immediately, a little wiggle of the trailer induced by turning the wheel sure clears them out of the way.

Leaving your fenders out while trailering helps also. 

Posted: 03 August 2007 at 2:14pm | IP Logged

jarata wrote: I am thinking of trailering 8 hours down to maryland do you think that is to far

The Chesapeake Bay is a great place to boat if that's where you're heading.  Make sure you have charts or the correct electronic charts for your plotter.  There are a couple of good cruising guides to the bay that will be helpfull.

As for too far - I depends on your tolerance for driving and the condition of your tow vehicle and trailer.

Posted: 03 August 2007 at 5:35pm | IP Logged

Actually Ron, we often bump 12 mpg while towing - that's at 55mph. And we save a few bucks more by 'camping' in the van while on the road. Like here for example @ Motel WalMart - Coos Bay Oregon:

Wife Suzy and her brother having dinner in the Motel WalMart:

Hey Ron - do you know anything about the New Jersey ICW?

Posted: 07 August 2007 at 5:34pm | IP Logged

Nope, not a thing.  Not a lot about it in SC either. 

We were planning a short trip from one of the other area boat landings but luckily, we drove by to check it out and found a sign stating "No Overnight Parking".  Had to resort to plan B.

For some reason, I don't get e-mail notifications on some sections of this forum but I do on others.  Go figure.

Posted: 31 August 2007 at 10:11pm | IP Logged

"How far is to far to trailer "

The only time it is to far is when your tow vehical axles get wet, or you don't get home in time and get fired from work. Other than that, that is what a trailer is for.

Posted: 31 August 2007 at 10:53pm | IP Logged

I guess I am just restless!  I get tired of the same seanery.  The trips I planned for this weekend got flooded out with the flooding of last weekend and the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. 

Newt year!

Posted: 03 September 2007 at 11:01am | IP Logged

We trailer our 2855 Bayliner all over NC.  We've talked about pulling down to the Keys and also taking the boat to West Palm and crossing to the Bahamas. 

Has anybody done that?  Was the trip a success?  Where to put in....marina....state park....time of year....???

How do you line up the oversize permits for multiple states?  We have an oversize permit for NC (the boat is 9' 7" wide) but haven't tried getting one for other states.  It would be nice if the federal goverment would issue one for interstate highways instead of having to deal with each state individually.

Posted: 13 September 2007 at 9:56pm | IP Logged

I say no distance is too far as long as you are taking the boat.  Have fun - as long as your trailer is in good shape and your bearings are greased and have good tires , go for it.  Just be sure to stop ever few hours to check if your hubs are hot - and be sure to have Boat US trailer service!

Have fun!

Ed--

Posted: 14 September 2007 at 7:16pm | IP Logged

I just want to go to Alaska. With or without the boat. That is one beautiful place.

Posted: 08 July 2008 at 2:29pm | IP Logged

My husband leaves on Monday to trailer our newly purchased boat from Chattanooga, TN to Rochester, NY (14 hours one way). He has never trailered anything this long a distance before and I'm worried about him  . The previous owner purchased the trailer brand new last year 2007 (tandem axle trailer with electric brakes). We are borrowing our friends 8 cylinder Toyota pick-up to tow it - I guess he has some set-up to plug the electric brakes into?!?!?

I was told by a friend that he should have an extra tire or two ready for a trip this long a distance - should he? I saw something on here about greasing the bearings, I guess I'll tell him to bring some grease with him? Any advice is welcome...

We're new to this trailer stuff, we used to have a 30' Cruiser and paid someone else to put it in and out for us . We are downsizing because our family has a cottage on the water, we bought a used hoist and now a 23' boat.

Posted: 08 July 2008 at 4:46pm | IP Logged

1. Most boat trailers do not have electric brakes. They use surge brakes. 

2. Check off list should include:

Jack that can pick the boat trailer up with boat on it.

4 point tire tool

Extra tires - (2) would be a real good idea for such a long trip.

spare lug nuts

Flares or reflective triangles

Flash light with fresh batteries. Flats never happen on nice sunny days, it's always raining and in the middle of the night.

Extra bulbs for the trailer lights

Black electrical tape

Duct tape

First aid kit. (Busted knuckles)

Reflective vest might be a good idea for night time change.

Every couple of hundred miles stop and check the hubs and air pressure in the tires.

Cell phone

Good luck and drive safe.

Posted: 11 July 2008 at 9:09am | IP Logged

I agree.  And let me add that you will reduce the probability of human error, especially for someone with little trailering experience.

Turn the radio and cell phone off, use your mirrors, and constantly be aware of traffic all around you.  There are few things more unnerving than being passed by an eighteen wheeler doing seventy miles per hour while you are doing fifty five.

Posted: 11 July 2008 at 9:59am | IP Logged

We are not complete newbies to trailering... we have snowmobile trailers and have driven them upwards of 3+ hours to snowmobile in the adirondacks... also my husband is a Firefighter has his CDL and drives Firetrucks for a living :)

We have just never trailered a boat this far.

Posted: 04 October 2009 at 8:55pm | IP Logged

jarata wrote: I am thinking of trailering 8 hours down to maryland do you think that is to far

I just bought a boat in New Jersey, and drove there to pick it up.  Trailered back home (475 miles), 8 1/2 hour drive back to Ohio.  No problem at all, and checked the bearings and tie-downs every couple of hours.  Tires were new on the trailer, and I drove the speed limits.  Not that big a deal, but just be sure the TRAILER is up to snuff before you go.