Yet another first timer (must trailer)

[limecc]

The 15 foot boat you currently tow is so far removed from towing a 22 - 24 footer it is like night and Day. If you achieve it and are happy doing it then good for you

As mentioned I regularly tow a 25 foot caravan and feel confident with it, also reversing. A rear camera would help reversing further. How do I know how I'd handle a similar size boat unless I try it? Extra weight and width are the factors if I decide to go for it. Having the right mental approach and wingman.

 

[Bigplumbs]

As mentioned I regularly tow a 25 foot caravan and feel confident with it, also reversing. A rear camera would help reversing further. How do I know how I'd handle a similar size boat unless I try it? Extra weight and width are the factors if I decide to go for it. Having the right mental approach and wingman.

As I said a 24 foot boat is completely different from a 24 ft Caravan

 

[Alicatt]

My father used to tow large yachts on a converted lorry chassis, the towing was never the problem as the tow trucks had more than enough power, it was the braking and cornering that was always uppermost in the mind, from when I became a teenager I acted as the banksman, my older cousin showed me the ropes on how to help guide the large loads that we towed.
From the time I could turn the handle on the crane on the breakdown trucks I was out helping, HiViz jackets and directing traffic at first.

A day out at an army base taught me a lot about driving/manoeuvring large vehicles under guidance and how the army did it, you have got to have blind faith in your banksman

A challenger 2 tank could out accelerate my 5ton 4x4 truck, I was really quite surprised at how fast they are in reality! ?

 

[dj43]

If you are confident towing , you should be ok, have towed quite extensively re trailers,boats ,caravans ect, found that launching and retrieving a boat Over 6m , can cause the most trouble, (wind and tide) , fit floatem poles to your boat trailer, makes retrieving very easy, we also fitted a boat buddy , which enables you to drive the boat onto the trailer, and attaches itself, so if there are two of you one can stay on the boat and other in tow vehicle , no getting wet and best of all no shouting looks very professional as well

 

[jakew009]

As mentioned I regularly tow a 25 foot caravan and feel confident with it, also reversing. A rear camera would help reversing further. How do I know how I'd handle a similar size boat unless I try it? Extra weight and width are the factors if I decide to go for it. Having the right mental approach and wingman.

Not trying to put you off, but I’ve never seen a 10 foot wide caravan or a 3.5 ton one for that matter

The width is what’s going to be a pain, don’t forget an artic is only 2.5m wide. 3m is really really wide! Like follow the diversions to get off the motorway during roadworks wide.

Ive spent years towing farm machinery around and you really have to have your wits about you at 3m, on many roads you’ll be hanging out way over the white line.
Add to that a massive tail swing and the trailer cutting corners and you’ll find yourself having to take shunts or drive on kerbs / pavements in all sorts of places to get clearance.

It’s not like being in a truck where you have big wide angle mirrors and a nice high up vantage point to see what’s happening.

Im not saying it’s not possible but towing a 3.5t 10 foot wide Leader 805 is really not going to be fun. Stick to something sub 2.5m ish wide.

 

[colhel]

Another possibility could be to store the boat on the trailer at a yard with a slipway so you could launch without the hassle of towing each time but still have the option of towing further afield for your main Summer break

 

[Greg2]

Another possibility could be to store the boat on the trailer at a yard with a slipway so you could launch without the hassle of towing each time but still have the option of towing further afield for your main Summer break

Our plan is to have a swinging mooring run by a marina where we will keep the trailer and store her ashore over the winter. They have a slipway so, in theory at least, we can also tow further afield should the fancy take us.
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[Bigplumbs]

Our plan is to have a swinging mooring run by a marina where we will keep the trailer and store her ashore over the winter. They have a slipway so, in theory at least, we can also tow further afield should the fancy take us.
.

See if you can get a swing fairways mooring. Mine is only £130 per year...... Owned by Her Madge you know. She has very reasonable rates, But I do know her personally

 

[Greg2]

See if you can get a swing fairways mooring. Mine is only £130 per year...... Owned by Her Madge you know. She has very reasonable rates, But I do know her personally

That is cheap - the marina in question want to charge notably more than that! Not even sure they have one available yet.
Perhaps I can call in a favour from HM - she might remember me from our previous encounters ?

 

[Bigplumbs]

That is cheap - the marina in question want to charge notably more than that! Not even sure they have one available yet.
Perhaps I can call in a favour from HM - she might remember me from our previous encounters ?

On almost all river mouths/Estuaries there is something called a Fairways Committee and they administer Fairways moorings on behalf of the Crown. They also very often lease several to the local marina. The Harbour Master is almost always on the committee along with other 'notable/old boys' of the area..... It is all of a mystery in some areas

 

[Bigplumbs]

Here is one example of a Fairways committee click Home link below

Home

 

[Greg2]

On almost all river mouths/Estuaries there is something called a Fairways Committee and they administer Fairways moorings on behalf of the Crown. They also very often lease several to the local marina. The Harbour Master is almost always on the committee along with other 'notable/old boys' of the area..... It is all of a mystery in some areas

Helpful thanks ?