Towing from Cheshire to Southampton

Judders

Judders

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After months of searching, and viewing several boats, we've finally managed to buy a decent Hunter Impala. Our problem is that it is in Warrington and we need to tow it down to Southampton.

I've held a driving licience long enough that I am just able to tow it on my ticket but I would not be happy to do so as I've no experience and besides, I dont have a suitable vehicle.

I've tried to get a local farm contractor to take the job on but its a busy time of year for them. Has anyone else had this sort of problem? How did they get around it? We're prepared to spend a few quid but dont really know where to start.

Any experiences gratefully recieved.
 
There are a lot of boat transport guys around, who tow with 4x4's and trailer. Could try Ebay, or Shipley's. A photo of the boat will help them. Ask at the yard that sold you the boat. Other alternative, is just to sail it to your home port.
 
Another possibility would be to get some instruction in the arcane art of towing (not actually as hard as all that - take corners a bit wider, don't expect fast starts or stops and stay out of the 3rd lane on the motorway) then rent a suitable vehicle for a day or two.
I'm sure a local instructor for commercial towing licenses would be happy to give an hour or two of instruction for less than a fortune.
 
Towing isn't that hard, if you can hire a van with a tow bar. There are weight restrictions, but you would be unlucky to be pulled over & checked if you were sensible & the trailer & lights are in good order. Fuel consumption will be in the mid-teens at best so likely to use around 30 gall on the round trip - over 200 quid for that alone plus the hire charge & a possible overnight stay in Warrington (it's a lot to do in one day, but not impossible)

Compare that with the charge for a professional tow or possibly craning onto a flat bed truck & off again at the other end. It's not a cheap do whatever you do. Sailing her home over a week or two's holiday could be fun, but be prepared for some things needing sorting on he way!
 
The bloke who bought my Snappie hired a 4x4 of suitable size, picked up a trailer he had ordered in Stockport and then came to Essex and then towed the boat back to Dublin.

Perhaps you could hire a tow vehicle with driver.
 
WilliamUK said:
Another possibility would be to get some instruction in the arcane art of towing (not actually as hard as all that - take corners a bit wider, don't expect fast starts or stops and stay out of the 3rd lane on the motorway) then rent a suitable vehicle for a day or two.
I'm sure a local instructor for commercial towing licenses would be happy to give an hour or two of instruction for less than a fortune.
Click to expand...

Another possibility would be to get some instruction in the arcane art of sailing (not actually as hard as all that - take corners a bit wider, (at Lands End) don't expect fast starts or stops and stay out of the 3rd lane on the TSS). :D
 
This chap has moved a couple of boats for me and i have been pleased with the service.
Nick Lancaster at preston marina Tel 07850911816
 
if sailing it back not an option...? Then towing is not rocket science. We bought a 23 ft boat from Windermere and brought it back on a trailer to south coast with my 4x4 Subaru, took our time and stayed overnight before the trail back, stopped frequently Hogs back got the engine a bit hot but no probs.4x4 hire available in S'ton.
Ps if you do tow make sure you check the trailer bearings and pack them with grease of required. good luck
 
lenseman said:
Another possibility would be to get some instruction in the arcane art of sailing (not actually as hard as all that - take corners a bit wider, (at Lands End) don't expect fast starts or stops and stay out of the 3rd lane on the TSS). :D
Click to expand...

It's a lovely idea but non-stop it would take a week in an unfamiliar boat that needs work. If we didn't all have work to do and would prefer to spend our holiday on regattas rather than a long cruise then it'd be an option, but we'd still have to drive up and pick the trailer up.
 
Hunter Impala. 28ft. 9.25 ft Beam. 1950Kgs. Fin keel.

I'd say if you are not happy to tow it then you shouldn't. It's going to be Landy/Landcruiser territory by the time it's on a trailer (with the gear fitted that doesn't figure in the displacement figure).

Few quid extra for a wagon and someone who knows the job would be well worth it for peace of mind.
 
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The caravan club do towing training for those who need a towing endorsement on their licence, but as pointed out no to difficult when goining forwards, backwards takes a bit of thought and practice
 
I agree with Lakesailor, this is a lot of boat for anyone to tow, let alone someone new to the art; get someone else to do it and save a heart attack for another day !

Also, do be careful to read up on the towing weight regulations and keep within them; the police have made it public that they will target towed boats, 'as they've got away with bending the rules for too long' ( easy target more like IMO ) - at the New Forest end of the M27 for instance, it's quite normal for 2 expensive police cars to escort people with trailers to a weighbridge...
 
This guy tows boats for a living. He'll only do boats up to 26 ft.
Imagine doing 50 in the nearside lane and a big artic passes you. The bow wave from the wagon may set up an uncomfortable yawing with 2 tons of boat dancing behind you.

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All sorts of boats pass our house on a daily basis. Most on big wagons. Now and then a 25ft or so boat behind a 4X4 will pass by and you really notice them. It's not usual and they are being driven very slowly as a rule.
 
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The Hunter Impala, bare boat, weighs in at 1944lbs and with sails and other equipment onboard will easily top out over 2000lbs, probably 2500lbs (1135kgs).

Add the weight of the trailer and you will then realise you will need at very substantial tow vehicle to move this along the highway if you intend to comply with UK towing regs Gross Train Weight (or Maximum Authorised Weight).

Back engineering the weights for towing and towed, you have the kerb weigh of your towing vehicle and the trailer and contents cannot exceed 85% of this figure.

Knowing roughly the trailer weight as being 1135kgs, then the towing vehicle has to exceed the kerb weight of 1135 x 85/100kgs, your towed vehicle needs to have a kerb weight of greater than 1340kgs! :eek:

You are talking Land Rover 2.2 litre upwards to move this sort of weight. If you are going to hire a vehicle, they don't usually come with towing facilities and if they do, the cost of the rental plus diesel plus the stress of the whole venture is going to be sapping on your health and also financially on your wallet! :confused:
 
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