Planning to trailer my C&C 30' MKII

[Pat MacDonald]

Hi folks, just purchased a 1995 30' MKII C&C sailboat in Toronto Ontario and have to haul it out to Edmonton Alberta Canada. Trip will be about 3,800 KM (2,400 Miles). Plan to go from Toronto down into Michigan, over past Chicago to Fargo ND and up into Canada.
Have a couple of questions about transporting as well as permits along route.
Going to have a new Trailer built as we have to trailer every year in Alberta from lake to storage.
Boat is listed as a 9,200 LB boat... I'm figuring with all the add-ons it should come in at about 10,500.
?'s
1. does anyone know the real weight on a 1995 MKII 30' C&C
2. do you need a double or triple axle for the trailer. Triple axle starts with 12,000 Lbs. not even sure if this boat is that heavy. Price is not that much different.. concerned about triple axle tire issues and would prefer to stick with double.. but don't want to get into "under-trailer" issues either

3. what permits are needed though Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota?

Sure appreciate any help with this.
Pat

[Sailor Doug]

I have hauled a 29' footer but not that far. With the boarder crossings and trailer cost would you be better off using a commercial transport? I built my own two axel hard axel trailer but that would not be suitable for your trip.


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[Pat MacDonald]

Originally Posted by Sailor Doug

I have hauled a 29' footer but not that far. With the boarder crossings and trailer cost would you be better off using a commercial transport? I built my own two axel hard axel trailer but that would not be suitable for your trip.


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Thanks Doug. being that we need a trailer out here in Alberta I may as well put $7,000 for a new trailer that I can use for years as opposed to the $11,000 quote I got from a good boat specific transport company for just transportation.... and I would have nothing but a boat that needs a trailer in the fall.

[crazyoldboatguy]

I have towed my 28' Pearson Triton from NE Wisconsin to Chicago, Florida Keys and also into Canada where we launched at the marina ramp in Spanish, Ontario. Since my vessel has an 8' beam and the trailer has the same basic width, no permits were needed.

Most states have a width limit of 8' 6". Your boat comes just shy of 11', I think. You can check with Boat US - I think they can help with permits. Become a member and they can get you discounts.

As far as weight is concerned, my Pearson weighs in as much as your C&C and I was using a tandem trailer rated for 12,000 lbs. I was probably at the limit with all my gear. The trailer performed very well.

I use a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500, Cummins diesel w/a 6 speed manual transmission. It just purrs along - 12 mpg. I launch the boat off the trailer - I put in electric driven disc brakes with the hydraulic pump elevated at the front of the trailer to keep it out of the water. The whole rig is very nice.

Fair winds and no flat tires.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Pat.

CONGRATULATIONS!

[Mutt]

You will need special over width and customs permits. Much better to use a boat transport company. Not that expensive and there are several that specialize in boats out of Toronto.

[mstrebe]

This site has simple rule lookup by state:

State Regulations for Wideload Shipping Overweight & Over Dimensional Trucking

Over 8' wide (your beam is 8'8") some states will require an escort, which could blow your cost savings of towing yourself.

Are you settled on the C&C Mark II? A boat with a 8' beam will be dramatically simpler to tow and not require any special permitting. I've towed my 7'10" beam boat coast to coast and back with zero issues, but it's a trailer sailor.

You should strongly consider a boat designed for trailering if you intend to trailer routinely. Your live will be much, much simpler. Ramp launching a keelboat is not for the faint of heart.

The Seaward RK 32 is a great example of a fantastic sailboat made for ramp launching and trailering. Unfortunately all trailer sailors, even the cheap ones, hold their value well because there's no "death by slip fees", so they'r usually comparatively expensive.

[rhubstuff]

If you head for the Canadian Soo, thence to Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, etc. you can avoid US customs, permits, traffic, etc.

[fishwhisperer]

If the states give you a hassle with licenses just go a few hours out of your way and drive the trans Canada highway. I towed a big Chris Craft from Ottawa to Winnipeg with no problems. That boat had an 11 foot beam. Good luck.

[grantmc]

Suggest you get in touch with James Baldwin via his web site link.

James has transported many keel boats long distance by towing. He also builds the custom trailers for keel boats.

I only know James from following his excellent web site and blog for the last 10 years or so.

[Racer86]

1. Your boat will have a high center of gravity when loaded on the trailer.
2. Your boat will have high windage both front and Side.
Both will cause uncontrolled sway on an undersized trailer and your tow truck.
Get the triple axle trailer with brakes on all wheels.
At least a 1 ton duelly, diesel preferred. You need the weight of the truck to control the trailer and the duel tires to help control the sway.
One out of control sway experience , or insufficient brakes on the trailer, can and will lift the rear wheels of the truck off the ground in a bad panic stop, and you will become a believer.
Please pick your equipment that will do the job , and not base your decision on cost. I have many thousands of miles towing tag trailers across the country, and also have a few friends that have spun and backed their trailers into the ditch on the side of the road at high speed. You can see the color drain from their faces when they talk about their trailer adventures.
I think you have a great adventure ahead of you, just DON'T undersize the truck or the trailer

[canyonbat]

Don't forget the weight of the trailer in your calculation.

I think I would opt for triple axle. As far as permits go, the price and limitations (no travel on weekends or holidays, special routing etc) go way up after you go over 10ft. I suspect, as said above, you would be way better off staying in Canada. The time saved with fewer miles might be lost in extra hassles at ports of entries and customs.

As per the tire issue, its not really a problem unless you are doing a lot of tight turns. Be sure to jack up each tire and let it back down once you back it into its parking place each time. This will allow the tire to settle back into its natural position.

[crazyoldboatguy]

I controlled the sway on my trailer (tandem, 6 ton limit) easily with an anti-sway kit. I have towed my boat thousands of miles with no incidents.
28' Pearson Triton, 8,500 lbs without gear and a 3,000lb trailer.

High center of gravity? Why doesn't my boat fall over when the wind hits the sails, I wonder?

3,000 lbs of lead in the keel.

[Racer86]

Boat is chained to the trailer, windage on the side of the hull will move the trailer " downwind" causing sway. Different than a boat in the water
You towed a 8500 pound boat plus "gear"on a trailer that weighs 3000 lbs and is rated for 12000 pounds? Sounds like your rig is over weight and basically not legal. I'd keep that a secret from your insurance company

[mikehmc]

The couple places I use for haulouts have a scale on the travel lift. Did you have it hauled for survey? They might have recorded the weight. or you can have them just sling it for a small fee. They usually charge me like $75 if I just want to check the bottom or prop (like if I sailed into a log or something).