View Full Version : towing a 9 foot wide boat all the way down the mass pike?


thefishingfreak
09-29-2006, 11:25 AM
good idea or bad idea.

i know mass limit is 8'6"

keeperreaper
09-29-2006, 11:52 AM
no one will bother you. Try to travel at night.

fishsmith
09-29-2006, 11:54 AM
Do it early. I wouldn't be to concerned about the law, play dumb if you get pulled over. If you can get a buddy to drive behind you for the trip, that might be heplful.

slapshot
09-29-2006, 12:01 PM
In CT you can get a temporary permit to tow a boat over the limit. If you do get stopped, it could be a ballbuster cop that tells you that you can't move it and a proper towing company has to come and move it. The entire length of the pike is a long tow, and chances are you'll see a couple troopers on the way.

zacs
09-29-2006, 01:04 PM
if it were me, I would just do it, however slapshot make a valid point.

_Z_

likwid
09-29-2006, 01:07 PM
Troopers have been out in force nailing everyone to the wall lately.

NY state also.

Was nervewracking w/o cruise control.

Whalecod
09-29-2006, 01:31 PM
hey Mike....... Dont sweat it. My Grady has a 9'3 beam
and ive never sweat towing it when I did. See, the thing is, if they pull you over and measure it, I guarantee they will think the beam is the length from the port stern corner to the starboard stern corner because many people dont realize the beam measurement is amidship. My boat is under 8'6 at the stern and they would never be able to measure amidship anyhow because you would have to go over my hardtop. They may be a tiny bit more apt to pull over a long boat like what youll be towing, but I still wouldnt worry about it too much. Do make sure all your lights work and you have a valid plate though.

STRIPERSHAWN
09-29-2006, 01:41 PM
my brother works for mass pike, i would not doit , troopers would love to nail you and you would be towed as these troopers must make there quote to stay on the pike detail, pike detail very easy lots of sleep for the nite shift , he works nights in maintance he see it all, also any kind of accident and your ins co will not cover any claim ,i trailer the mass pike every trip from ludlow ma to pt judith r i 120 miles one way 4 times a month get the permit shawn from ludlow ma

thefishingfreak
09-29-2006, 04:53 PM
hmmm.:angel:
i think i'll just do it. the tow truck out front is 8'6" wide but the morrors are over 9'6".
fitting thru the tolls is gunna be the tricky part.
results on sunday:hidin:

Fisherwoman
09-29-2006, 08:20 PM
I would worry more about the height, ours is 13 1/2 ft high at the top part of the t-op on our trailer and has a 9'6" beam, but at the back of the trialer like mentioned about it is only 8'6". But most tunnells are only 14 ft high, keep a look out for signs in any tunnnels as they are lower!!!:conf:

stiff tip
09-29-2006, 11:01 PM
go 4 it ....... late ,late ,nights , or early am ....

Raider Ronnie
09-30-2006, 02:39 AM
This is a question for Swimmer !!!

BigFish
09-30-2006, 06:59 AM
Drive the route first Mike and check for the low bridges and narrow tolls like Jules indicated! Then measure the height of the boat on the trailer to be sure or you will find yourself trying to fit a square peg in a round hole!

taJon
09-30-2006, 08:27 AM
I say go for it. Its only illegal if you get caught.

I think that there is a permit you can get pretty easy.

Fish On
10-01-2006, 09:09 AM
You can get the permit but some days are restricted. Each state restricts different days making interstate towing even more difficult. The majority of restricted days are a combination of weekends and holidays. The general message is, "we'll let wide boats be trailered when they need to be to get them to and from slips at the beginning and end of season or for repairs, but we will make it very difficult for a weekend boater to tow on a regular basis". This is how I read it anyway.

Swimmer
10-01-2006, 11:37 AM
Generally boats in this range do not garner to much interest, but I only speak for myself. Wide loads in the past could only be transported at night and only on certain roads. Those wide loads though were not boats in this size range. FishingFreak, I would call the Grafton barracks and speak to the trooper,probably a Sgt., who answers the phone and ask him/her. I do not deal with wide load permits, but rarely. In my area, I know that all boats heading north, the large kind, 50,60,100' long are transported on route 18 north to route 3 north when they are over the road enroute to Boston or Portland.
I would be concerned more with height limitations. 13'6" is the maximum, absolutely. If it wont make it through the toll booth, you'll have to pull to the right, stop and pay.
As far as the ball bustin cop comments, I bet that guy transporting that 30' Bayliner that came flying off his trailer on 128 last week wished he met a ball buster, because he thought the boat was heavey enough without tie downs to hold the boat to the trailer. Tie down fines, $35.00 a piece, Bayliner laying on road surface after skidding along for several feet, PRICELESS!
I dont think you'll have a problem. Boats are transported rarely for the most part. Some twice a season, which is why brakes are not mandatory on boat trailers. Once to the slip and once home in the fall. Thats why most officers dont pay to much attention to them. Call the barracks like I said. You dont have to tell them who you are. They dont care. Good luck with the boat.

Van
10-01-2006, 12:15 PM
So ??????

Did you make it??

Raider Ronnie
10-01-2006, 12:20 PM
With the rain we are getting today, you may ba able to float it down the pike, Mike !!!

MrHunters
10-01-2006, 04:46 PM
I say go for it. Its only illegal if you get caught.

I think that there is a permit you can get pretty easy.

id get caught...

so its a question of how confident you are in your luck

Squid kids Dad
10-01-2006, 06:46 PM
How lucky do you feel???

thefishingfreak
10-01-2006, 09:52 PM
she's home safe and sound. :angel:
noooo problems.
didn't even look that big on the trailer. getting it on the trailer was a challenge.
now the traffic on the pike :wall: thats another thing.. 4 hours to go 95 miles..


fall is a comming for sure... the foliage in the berkshires in in full swing.

MrHunters
10-02-2006, 05:59 AM
now the fun begins.

taJon
10-02-2006, 06:42 AM
Is this the project you were looking for Mike? Pics?

Swimmer
10-02-2006, 12:01 PM
and good luck with the boat, vessel, ship, :uhuh: .

bttfish
10-03-2006, 09:14 AM
Yikes! :eyes:
You going to fit through the toll booth?:eek5:

thefishingfreak
10-03-2006, 11:04 AM
yes project boat.
i'll take pics later but you cant laugh:rotf2:

i think it's wider than 9 feet. it's 9 feet in the stern corners so i'm thinking its 9 foot 6 inch beam.
made it thru the tolls no problem.

taJon
10-03-2006, 11:13 AM
Sweet, no laughing here.
How much toll clearance do you think you had?

thefishingfreak
10-03-2006, 11:23 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=140026631159&ih=004&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

thefishingfreak
10-03-2006, 11:44 AM
i just measured it.. it's 9'6"

BigBo
10-03-2006, 12:10 PM
Lotsa elbow grease, but that's got some nice potential. Get the kids to work:kewl:

bttfish
10-03-2006, 12:35 PM
Wow! That looks like a nice project for the Winter. can't wait to see the finished product. Good luck.. :uhuh: :bounce:

Striper1
10-03-2006, 04:24 PM
Lotsa elbow grease, but that's got some nice potential. Get the kids to work:kewl:

That's me:uhuh:
PM me when the time comes.:lurk:

How far you going with the project?
sweet ride:soon: ....

thefishingfreak
10-03-2006, 06:30 PM
here's what I know so far.....
26 feet long.
9 foot 6 inch beam.
solid glass hull {no wood stringers}

'1992' 350 chevy {freshwater cooled} strait inboard->borg warner velvet drive 1:1
twin aluminum fuel tanks 44 gallons each.

break out the chainsaws and the dumpster :devil2:

quick decision
10-05-2006, 06:18 AM
Thats my old stompin ground out there freak. I did it as well. Did not have any problems. 9 1/2 at the transom.