Yacht trailer - rental?

[Capn Pugwash]

I need to move my Folkboat across country (Great Yarmouth to Liverpool). Nice as it would be to sail her around the coast I am a bit strapped for time! Does anyone know of a trailer rental firm for yachts? Mine is a 25 foot, long keeled wooden yacht. Any replies gratefully received.

 

[Lakesailor]

Bad time. Lots of boats living on their trailers at the moment.
What you towing with? It could be a touch marginal.

 

[Capn Pugwash]

True...should have thought of that! Prime mover probably a 4 x 4 beast - My next door neighbour may offer her services if I play my cards right.

 

[copperatsea]

do you know the approx weight of your boat? (including all your gear!)

 

[Lakesailor]

The Folkboat website quotes 1930KG as the minimum class weight.
Then there's all your bit and bobs. Plus trailer, so you're going to need a Maximum Towing Weight of at least 3000KG which is big 4x4 territory.

 

[oldfrank]

That's a long drive with a marginal tow. Everyone's nightmare is having the boat come off the trailer on the motorway. You'd need a crane just to put it back on again - doesn't bear thinking about. I'd call Kingsley Farrington at Trowse just outside Norwich. Boatbuilder who also transports boats - he's not expensive. You'll find him in the directory.
Goodchild's won't have any trouble lifting it on a trailer for you.
Old Frank

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
That's a long drive with a marginal tow. Everyone's nightmare is having the boat come off the trailer on the motorway. You'd need a crane just to put it back on again - doesn't bear thinking about. I'd call Kingsley Farrington at Trowse just outside Norwich. Boatbuilder who also transports boats - he's not expensive. You'll find him in the directory.
Goodchild's won't have any trouble lifting it on a trailer for you.
Old Frank

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, don't agree /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif 3000kg, about 2.7 real tons, easily within the limit for a long wheelbase Landrover or a Range Rover, with suitable braked tandem axle trailer of course.

 

[cliffordpope]

I towed a 2 1/2 ton boat from Beccles to West Wales with a LWB LandRover without any problems. It only did 10 mpg though.

 

[Capn Pugwash]

Thanks for all the advice guys - boat weight is going to be close to 2450kgs - it will have very little else in it to keep the weight down. I have actually been quoted £365+vat (includes full marine transport insurance) from a company (LP Trailering) with experience of transporting boats nationally and internationally. I think it's a fair price for the distance involved (260miles approx).

 

[Capn Pugwash]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd call Kingsley Farrington at Trowse just outside Norwich. Boatbuilder who also transports boats - he's not expensive. You'll find him in the directory.
Goodchild's won't have any trouble lifting it on a trailer for you.
Old Frank

[/ QUOTE ]


Thanks Frank, I will get a quote from them as well - local firm sounds good!

Steve

 

[oldharry]

I agree with Smiffy: I towed a 3500kgs boat from Birmingham to the South coast, and up Birdlip hill near Gloucester (it was before the M40 was open), with a standard LWB Landrover. No probs. I used the low range field gears for the hill, but reckoned it would have done it quite happily without unless I had had to stop and restart on the steep bit.

 

[Lakesailor]

Those sort of prices make doing it yourself a non-starter.
Apart from a trailer-hire charge and fuel, if you are borrowing a tow-vehicle you need to arrange insurance and then if the worst should happen and say the clutch burned out (and you may only be the straw that broke etc.) you're going to have a £500+ bill to fix that.

Pay some-one who is experienced dependable. Avoid all the hassle.