towing a 9 foot wide boat all the way down the mass pike? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

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.

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

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!!!

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.