Beam
 

Those of you with larger boats, do you abide by the law for “wide loads” when you trailer? I’ve mentioned this casually in other posts, but...

I can’t tell if that’s boat beam or total trailer width, so maybe that’s the reason I’m so unfamiliar, but I never knew this until late last year, and still struggle to find guidance/best practice.

from what Ive read https://www.thehulltruth.com/northea...a-ri-ct-2.html

In most states a trailer more than 8 feet 6 inches in width is considered a “wide load”

What if the thing on it is 8’9”
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Drive fast, they’ll never catch you

If you go over one of the CC canal bridges, stay in the middle of the two lanes, I do at 8’ 6”.....

I’d be surprised if any officer would stop ya.... 1 1/2” per side! Maybe if he once a carpenter.... LOL

That’s what I’m thinking. Thanks for the sanity check.
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I’ve seen whole fleets of J24 sailboats roll into regattas and they all have an 8’11” beam.
I wouldn’t worry about it.
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Technically anything over 8’6 is considered “wide load”
Take it a step further, anything 12’ and over requires a pilot vehicle, is limited to travel sun up - sun down, restrictions in overall length & height and subject to gvw weight (combined tow vehicle & trailer/boat) and if 26000 or over driver having a cdl license.

That said it’s only illegal if you get caught (rarely)
Have an accident, police come to accident scene (especially if it’s a state dot cop) YOURE SCREWED !!!

If you’re towing a few times a year, I wouldn’t sweat it.
Towing often, get the permit.