Towing a boat to Greece from the UK - Mad idea?

[cliffordpope]

Cleopatra's needle was towed from Egypt, not without adventure!

 

[PLEIAS]

I know of a 24ft sailing boat recently rebuilt (2004) which is for sale in Greece for a similar price to what it would cost you to bring yours to Greece.It belongs to an elderly British couple so you can contact them directly if interested.Pm me if you want more details.

 

[seanfoster]

Your boat has a listed beam of 2.71mt. which makes it a bit wide. Limite is 2.55mt (?)

I've just noticed that the maximum trailer width in the UK has recently been increased to 2.55m from 2.3m, however the previous width also allowed a 305mm overhang on each side, making the allowable width just over 2.9m.

I've looked thorough he dft website, and there is no mention about width overhang.

looks like I can no longer tow my boat anywhere!!! :-(
Does anyone know any different?

 

[DownWest]

The reason I put a ? after the width was because of doubt about overhangs. I had a chat with a German bunch who trailed a catboat to here from Germany. OK, it was 3.1mt wide, but they had to have a wide load car up front with the signs and lights. We often have big boats (and big cats!) on the local N road. The boats, around 40+ft have an up front lights and signs van. The Cats have the full police escort kicking us off the road.
A

 

[Firefly211]

The route is all motorway now down to Split (if you follow the coast road) or Zagreb (if you take the inland route towards Thessaloniki and miss Albania). The motorway journey is relatively easy - I drive once or twice a year to Split - the 1200 miles from Calais takes me almost exactly 24 hours.

However, after Split/Zagreb the roads are much slower and I guess your average speed will at least halve. However, I think I would take the inland route to Thessalonikki as the coast route will take forever.

In my youth I motorbiked to Greece almost every year and have used the crossings from Ancona, Bari and Brindisi many times. However, I think these will be very expensive with a car and boat and if time is not a constraint I might be tempted to use road all the way.

Richard

I drove down that way last year and the new motorway through Croatia is fantastic...as far as it goes. It's still very much a work in progress and as such just after Split it stops and becomes at times, literally, a dirt track. I would not tow that way yet, though I would in a year or two when it's finished. Masedonia needs to be watched at the local police will rip you off as look at you and a yacht on the back will advertise you "loaded" status. Albainia much the same in my experience.

I have used the ferries from both ends of Italy. Either is ok and though not up to a P&o cruise ferry standards are fine.

Would I do it? Yes, my trip was great fun but go via Italy and make it into a holiday rather than a long haul run.

 

[ProDave]

I've just noticed that the maximum trailer width in the UK has recently been increased to 2.55m from 2.3m, however the previous width also allowed a 305mm overhang on each side, making the allowable width just over 2.9m.

I've looked thorough he dft website, and there is no mention about width overhang.

looks like I can no longer tow my boat anywhere!!! :-(
Does anyone know any different?

This was discussed on another thread recently.

Yes generally 305mm overhang is permitted (in other words 1 ft) but there's also a clause that allows a larger overhang and larger trailer sizes for moving an "indivisible load". That aparantly is how gliders 30feet long can be towed on custom made trailers, and should ensure towing your boat in the UK remains legal.

But the point about the laws of other countries is valid. Just because it's legal in the UK does not mean it's legal in other countries. But does EU law permit what's legal and registered in one country to be driven in another EU country (that's a question not a statement)