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Capri 25 Specific Forum

The Move From Hell

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usna1974
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/05/2007 : 20:03:02

I am not sure you folks know this, but I have encountered an "interesting" dilemma. I recently sold Spectre, and circumstances are that I have to have it pulled in Portsmouth, VA to put on the trailer, so the gent can pick the boat up in Norfolk to tow it to where he lives. Portsmouth and Norfolk are separated by a tunnel...so I figured I had better check on clearances. What I found out - and that opened a Pandora's box for me (and now I will share its contents with you all, so you can fret and worry like I am now) - is the following:

Virtually every state in the union has wide load restrictions...and those are almost universally 8'6". The Capri is 9'2" - so to legally trail it anywhere will probably require a permit. OK, so let's say you chance it, what can happen? First, if you DO get caught, you will (1) have to leave the boat where it is until you get the permit, which could take anywhere from 2 days to a week or more, and (2) you may have a fine levied against you, which, from my reading could be as high as $2000. Now, let's throw a little fuel on the fire...if you get in an accident, there is a chance that your insurance companies (both auto AND boat)may ask if you had a permit to tow the boat. If you do not, then you might be denied reimbursement AND your insurance may get cancelled.

Permits for interstate travel probably are not much - in Virginia they are only $12 for single trip (or single out and back trips). BUT, if you are crossing mutliple states, then you have to get multiple permits. Also, if you reside, or keep your boat in a metropolitan area (any incorporated area), that incorporated area may also charge you a permit fee...in Portsmouth it is $50...and since the tuneel comes out in Norfolk, there is another $50.

Finally, since the boat is considered a "wide load" and depending on where you are moving it to...you may have to have (a) a wide load sign, (b) amber flasher on the moving vehicle (c) red flags (18" x"18" no less) at the widest points, and POSSIBLY an escort vehicle...and you AMY have to stop at weigh/measuring stations depending on the state.

I have had my boat moved on a trailer twice - once from FL to MD, and once from MD to VA, and the guys towing it never got permits...and the last time they went through a tunnel, and there is no problem and they were not stopped. Had I not decided to go through the particulart tunnel I would not even thought it was an issue...now it is one because I know.

We are not alone in this...the J-24s are 8'10" abeam, and I will bet the Merits are 8 ft, the Kirby 25s are 8'6", and Steve Colgate built the Colgate 26 at exactly 8-6.

So, at least in this are, good ole Frank Butler kind of screwed us.

Sleep well next time you plan on trailing your Capri 25...but don't shoot me, I am only the messenger.

Jerry (pix to come!)

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2007 : 21:21:50

Yep, it's why I pay a marine moving company to go from Maine to NH. It isn't a trailerable boat unless you remove the keel and kant it on the trailer.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2007 : 23:04:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by existentialsailor
 ...It isn't a trailerable boat unless you remove the keel and kant it on the trailer.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I was thinking as I read the story... If the boat is "heeled" on the trailer to an angle where the bottom of the keel is aligned vertically with the "windward" rail, would the overall width be within the 8'6" limit? It'd take an interesting trailer to tip the boat and support the keel...... Otherwise, is seems to me the buyer needs to hire a boat hauler. He faces the same risks and liabilities as you if he tows it from Norfolk.

Now for the obvious question: It's a short distance--why not deliver her by water to Norfolk and let him pull it out there?

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 04/05/2007 23:08:19

usna1974
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2007 : 23:44:17

My marina does not have a lift. The majority of marinas near me on the Norfolk side have been bought for waterfront condos. I have to motor nearly 4 hours to get to the nearest Norfolk side marina, vice 30 minutes across the river to Portsmouth. Even if I stay on the Norfolk side, if I want to move it from a marina that can pull it to my already paid for storage area, I still legally have to get a permit. The marina that is pulling it wants $25/day storage, and he is not picking it up until the 20th of April 9 and I am out of town from Sunday until the 19th of April. I personally can't believe that someone would trail the boat 3000 miles - hell, the time away from work, cost of hotels, fuel, wear and tear, etc. will come to $2000 I would bet - but that is what the guy wants to do. I just have to get it out of the water.

Point I was trying to make is that people are talking about going to the Capri Worlds, and I have read about a bunch of people with trailers, but more and moe this is not a trailer friendly boat...I wonder if those jet setter J boaters all get permits every time they go to meets.

I did some calculations, and if canted as described it wold be less than 8 ft 6 in (although not by much), but then you would have an unbalanced load. As I said, I never eve thought about this because my boat had been moved twice before, and no one got permits. But now that I know...

Nice thing about the Beneteau 35 I bought...I would never even consider trailing it, so this no longer will be an issue.

Edited by - on

hwy61sail
Deckhand

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10 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2007 : 04:06:51

Aside from trailering our Capri 25 short distances every spring and fall. Every other year we travel 1000 miles to campaign "Persistence" on Lake of the Woods in Canada. This involves driving on interstate highways, state highways and passing though customs both ways. I have never been stopped or questioned. Have I been lucky, maybe.. But the reality is that there is only a small portion of the boat that exceeds the 8'6" restriction. Everyone needs to make their own judgement, but I will continue to trailer "Persistence" on both short and long hauls.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2007 : 12:59:33

I may be out in left field on this but I think that 6" would not be that noticable.The boys in blue might be more attracted to your haul if you were driving at an unsafe or illegal speed, the load/trailer looks unsafe, or it looked like it may exceed some type of weight restriction. So, don't give them any reason to stop you and they'll probably never know the difference. Added to the fact that there are very few partol officers on the roads these days because of cost restrictions, and I doubt you'd see an policeman anyway. Not that I'm advocating breaking the law mind you but.............

Edited by - aeckhart on 04/20/2007 13:00:12

shadleym
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2007 : 14:31:03

I did check on that when I bought our boat. I brought it from Kansas to Oklahoma, and both states require a wide load permit for loads in excess of 8'6". But it seemed like kind of a hassle, so I blew it off. The boat really doesn't _look_ that wide as you're driving down the road. And other than getting a little nervous when a truck passed me, it didn't seem like any big deal. At least one other Capri 25 sailor at our club occasionally trailers his boat and I'm pretty sure he doesn't mess with a permit.

Edited by - on

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