T&T: Trailable trawler

Tue Sep 4 18:25:06 EDT 2007

In this world  and beyond  there's a whole lot that I don't know and a few
things that I do.  Since this "Trailerable Retirement Cruiser' concept is
also what I want for my retirement years, I've devoted countless hours to
researching what is possible and especially what is practical with this
idea.

Let's talk about size first.  Let's be clear that each state has its own
clearance specifications >>for state controlled roads<<.  The US federal
interstate highway system has minimum mandated clearance specifications.
13.5' of overhead clearance and 8.5' of width clearance.  This does not mean
that individual states won't ding you if you exceed their state
requirements.  It just means that on interstate highways you can be
99.9%assured that these minimum clearance numbers will be standard.
I'm sure
exceptions can be found.  Don't ever forget about the canopies at gas
stations!  YMMV and all that.

Each state and Canadian province have their own individual maximum
trailer/load restrictions that do not require a transport permit.  MOST are
8.5' width and 13.5' in height.  Some few states  mostly in the northeast 
have an 8' width maximum.  Some states have maximum length restrictions that
may come into play if your load is particularly long.  But not many boats on
a trailer will exceed these length limits.

Next  let's differentiate between trailerable and transportable.  We'll
define trailerable as a boat of whatever design that can legally be towed
behind a suitably equipped vehicle without any special considerations 
permits, signs flashing lights, etc.  This usually means a boat that is less
than 8.5 feet wide and has less than 13.5 feet of air clearance when sitting
on the trailer.  Weight is not relevant when one has a suitable tow vehicle
and trailer that is properly equipped and rated for the load, i.e. the
boat.
Do you doubt that weight is mostly irrelevant?  Hie thyself down to your
nearest well stocked RV dealer and take a look at the largest 5th wheel
trailers.  Fully loaded these behemoths are weighing in at 12,000 pounds
PLUS.  I chatted with a man at a rest stop last fall towing one of these out
in west Texas  he said his fully loaded towing weight was just shy of
17,000 pounds.  More than what I personally am comfortable with, but each to
their own.  So as long as your trailer and tow vehicle are properly rated
for the weight  then weight is non issue.

Since I don't personally plan on towing over 14,000 pounds GCVW, (Gross
Combined Vehicle Weight) I have not researched any special licensing
requirements for my home state of Texas for weights above that, although I
am sure there is a weight limit where extra drivers license endorsements
come into play.  Your home licensing state will be able to tell you what
their requirements are.
In addition to these size requirements let's put in a 'hassle' factor.  How
much time will it take to get the boat ready to launch and conversely, ready
to tow away?  If it takes a 1/2 day to get the boat ready to get off for
cruising and then back on the trailer for towing, then it probably isn't
going to be used as a weekend cruiser.  But if the hassle factor is an hour
or less, then the boat will probably be used more often.

Transportable will be defined here as exceeding the normal width  8.5' 
that does not require a transport permit.  From 8.5' to 10' width, most
states only require an 'over-width' sign front and rear.  Some states also
require flags on the sides and some states require flashing lights.  Some
states require a combination of the above.  To be 100% legal all states
require a transport permit  called something different in some states.
Many states have a 3 to 5 day time limit on these permits.  They are valid
for a specific time frame and in some states for a specific route.  Some
states restrict over width loads from some urban freeways.  Some states do
not permit night travel.
Bottom line for my needs?  A boat, sitting on a properly equipped trailer
and towed by a properly equipped tow vehicle, can be up to 9 1/4 feet wide
and less than 13.5 feet high.  A boat of this size can be transported in
almost any state with minimal problems and hassles.  Yes, it will require a
permit, but no special driver's license or endorsement (that I am aware of)
is required.  If you can safely drive a huge RV trailer, a boat is no more
hassle on the road.

Let's touch on that 9 1/4 feet wide - most likely that max beam will be at
the sheer line.  Sitting on the trailer the sheer will be anywhere from 6'
to perhaps 9' off the ground.  Max waterline beam will most likely be
something less than 8' - perhaps as little as 7.5' on some designs.  So
other than needing an over width permit because of the sheer beam, the
actual towing isn't any more difficult than a large RV trailer.

Moving on to suitable boats.  My extensive research shows there is a dearth
of commercially produced boats available  either new or on the used
market.  This primarily seems to be because this idea of a 'boaterhome' is a
very small niche market.  This is not to say there aren't a few boats
available, just not a huge selection.  And of the commercial boats suitable,
one must be very clear that there will be substantial compromises required
in the comfort and livability areas to be able to tow a boat across North
America with continued enthusiasm for living in such a small space.

Be aware that when you're using you boat as a 'boaterhome', there are some
RV parks that don't see a boat on a trailer as an RV suitable to inhabit
their environs.  But I can guarantee that the various WalMart parking lots
don't have those sorts of snobbish restrictions as long as you are
completely self-contained.

Even though there aren't a plethora of suitable commercial designs, there
are a large number of folks that have this same idea and there are boat
designs available that are suitable for the home builder.  An alternative to
DIY would be having one of these designs constructed by a custom builder.

Purely a SWAG  custom built at under $100k US.  Some designs probably under
$75k, both with a 'nice' level of painted finish and not a lot of fancy wood
bright work.

Home built  something between $35k to $60k depending on size and level of
finish.

Add a suitable trailer - $6k to $10k depending on size and capacity.  If you
want a brand new tow truck  add $45k to $75K depending on size, capacity
and accessories.

Since the actual towing portion of yearly mileage will, (for us) be fewer
than 8K miles/yr and if, like me, you can live with an older tow vehicle,
add $12k to $18k depending on age and condition.

If you're NOT too handy with tools and are not on first name acquaintance
with wood, you can learn as you go and probably build a suitable boat
yourself in about 3000 to 4000 hours of labor.  If you're handier with tools
and are passingly familiar with woodworking  probably less than 2500 hours
total.

As for a total DIY cost boat (motor, electronics and all etceteras), tow
vehicle and trailer can be had for as low as ~$55k and upwards to $125k, if
you want fancier equipment choices, a higher quality finish and a newer tow
vehicle.

As always YMMV.

Lots 'O Links:

C-Brats  C-Dory User web forum - http://www.c-brats.com/

Blue Jacket Boats  Tom Lathrop in Oriental NC has created a series of
lightweight cruisers from 20 to 28 feet  all less than 8'6" beam.
Tom's 28'er is the direction I'm going  with some accommodation massaging
for our unique wants/needs. - http://www.bluejacketboats.com/

Karl Stambaugh at Chesapeake Marine Design has several suitable designs that
would make excellent trailerable cruisers. -
http://www.cmdboats.com/index.htm and his 8'6" beam "Trailer Trawler" -
http://www.cmdboats.com/trailertrawler28.htm

Caledon Boat Works has a great design. - http://www.caledonboatworks.com

Jaques Mertan at Bateau.com has a couple of designs that are suitable. -
http://www.bateau.com

Sam Devlin has several suitable designs. - http://www.devlinboat.com/

Don't overlook the venerable Glen-L designs. - http://www.glen-l.com/

Search on YachtWorld for: -
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/yw_advanced_search_form.jsp
26' Nordic Tug
Dyer 29
Albin 27 'Family Cruiser'

Best,

Leo