tow 30' catalina

redmans · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2006

I read the post about towing the douglas 32 and I wanted to know if a Catalina 30 is more feasable to tow? Would it be a wide load? My husband and I are interested in Coastal Cruising, so we are looking for a boat with a slip, but the option to travel inland from San Diego and maybe go to Lake Powell was a thought. Thanks for any advice

PBzeer · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2006

Yes, it would be a wide load.

Dewey Benson · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2006

Each State has it's own requirements for trailerable craft. The Catalina 30 is in excess of all states I am familiar with.

California max tow with no permit is 8 feet. Arizona max is 10 feet. This was current in 1995. Keep in mind the states can't stop you from moving wide loads, but they can and do place restrictions that might make it difficult.

If you for some reason decide to go forward with such a project keep in mind there are more considerations than beam. Routing to go under bridges that are higher than your LOADED height can be another.

Generally a boat transport company would be the simplest way to go in moving an oversize boat. Transport is almost always a big hassle in any case.

Dewey

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006

I believe that the federal wide load guidelines, allow for a vehicle 8' 6" wide, not 8". Any boat that is wider than that will require a wide-load permit, and may require escort vehicles.

There are also length restrictions on trailers as well. These will vary by state. You might want to look at a current trucker's atlas, as it will generally have the rules for both width and length in it for every state.

Bridges are a huge deal, as are any non federal Interstate highways, which have very clear minimum clearances. IIRC, all bridges must have at least 13' 6" vertical clearance or be posted with their clearance heights.

But a Catalina 30 will need to have the mast re-stepped each time you move it. That adds significantly to the cost of re-locating the mast, unless you come up with a decent, safe and simple way to re-step the mast yourself.

If you're really serious about coastal cruising, yet want to have a boat that is trailerable, it might be worth looking into a folding trimaran design. One other problem with the Catalina 30 is weight. The boat is over FIVE tons empty. If loaded for coastal cruising, your towing weight is going to be closer to 11,000 pounds, and that doesn't even include the trailer. This is far too massive for most tow vehicles that you might own.

seabreeze_97 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006

Fed limit's gotta be wider than 8ft. Look at all those RV's out there, they're 10ft or wider. 12-13ft?

Dewey Benson · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006

Yo Dude,

The states set the limits. Having shipped many many vessels including two I have owned personally. I am very familiar with this.

Don't believe me? No Prob bob, just google it and you shall see. The states set the limits not the feds. Try a search like; "federal statutes size and weight limitations for freeways" or another similar thingy. Size and weight limitations on fedral highway system.

Dewey

pluscard · #7 (**permalink**) 07-10-2006

I agree the limit is 8'6", but as an example, all of the J/24's that are raced are towed regularly, and they're 9' wide... whoops!
Just have them measure across the back if you get stopped - it's only about 6'.

Mobile homes are 12' standard and 14' extra wide. They are towed regularly thru the southeast, but require a permit and follow vehicle.
http://www.2rvguys.com/towlaws04.html this is a state by state chart

Mike