Alternative to towing

[PabloPicasso]

Ok. So towing a 26ft keel boat racer/cruiser is not an option, 10ft beam I think means she is too wide. What about using a large flat back van, or a small flat bed truck? I have a good yard cradle and could reinforce this with beams somehow, although this would add to the weight. Boat I believe is just Under 2500kg

Is this feasible, or is there some reason why loads of yachties are not doing this?

 

[VicS]

Ok. So towing a 26ft keel boat racer/cruiser is not an option, 10ft beam I think means she is too wide. What about using a large flat back van, or a small flat bed truck? I have a good yard cradle and could reinforce this with beams somehow, although this would add to the weight. Boat I believe is just Under 2500kg

Is this feasible, or is there some reason why loads of yachties are not doing this?

I think you will find the permitted max width of a trailer is 2.55m with side overhangs of 305mm allowed up to a max overall width of 2.9 m

Info on NTTA website http://www.ntta.co.uk/


In the yard there used to be a boat on trailer which rolled the ( lifting keel) boat partly onto its side to reduce the width.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Ok so I presume trucks, vans could be wider? I know it would mean owning a vehicle just for this purpose, and dropping the mast. But I cold drive to the med for a holiday or summer. Or to Scotland and save time of passage to, and winter her in my garden, taxing and insuring the truck only for the months it was used.

Come on someone shoot the idea down, or suggest good vehicles to use. I'm sure older trucks and vans can be got for not too much money these days

 

[VicS]

Ok so I presume trucks, vans could be wider? I know it would mean owning a vehicle just for this purpose, and dropping the mast. But I cold drive to the med for a holiday or summer. Or to Scotland and save time of passage to, and winter her in my garden, taxing and insuring the truck only for the months it was used.

Come on someone shoot the idea down, or suggest good vehicles to use. I'm sure older trucks and vans can be got for not too much money these days

Even on a truck I think if its more than 2.9m its an abnormal load.

See https://www.gov.uk/esdal-and-abnormal-loads/abnormal-loads

 

[Avocet]

Leaving aside the maximum width considerations, a 2.5 tonne boat (plus cradle) is unlikely to be capable of being carried by a 3.5 tonne vehicle. You'd need a 7.5 tonner, I'd think. They're damned thirsty - you might find it cheaper to fly to the Med and charter a boat! You'll also have the annual testing and maintenance costs to take into consideration - plus somewhere to keep it.

 

[Tranona]

There are people who use 7.5 tonners for this purpose, but they usually need extensive modification to make them easy to use and you still have craneage each end. Saw one recently used for transporting a "classic" boat to various rallies on the continent. You need to be serious about your hobby or have an alternative usage for the truck when not in use for the boat to justify the costs.

 

[lynall]

Most 7.5 ton trucks cannot carry very much weight at all, flat back 3 ton at best, box body maybe just over 2 ton.
Anything more than a basic flat back is going to seriously increase the bare weight.
I reckon 7.5 ton trucks are the most likely to be overweight going by some we see come into the shop!


Lynall

 

[ffiill]

I think you will find the permitted max width of a trailer is 2.55m with side overhangs of 305mm allowed up to a max overall width of 2.9 m

Info on NTTA website http://www.ntta.co.uk/


In the yard there used to be a boat on trailer which rolled the ( lifting keel) boat partly onto its side to reduce the width.

As this is about 10ft and the boat fits easily into max.towing weights for over run braking the trailer seem the best option with no MOT testing;insurance and road tax necessary.
Anyway I think that its more likely that you would be bothered by the Police with an overweight flat bed than a slightly over wide trailer assuming everything else is road legal.
The alternative is an air/ vaccuum braked trailer with a tow vehicle that has air/vacuum brakes.
There are a few 5 ton ex MOD ones out there at moment-one is currently on e bay for about £4500.There are also a few purpose built over run boat trailers for sail as well probably for around about the £2000 mark.