[Public-List] hauling an Alberg 30 (Permit or no permit?)

[crufone at comcast.net]

Tom, 

Trailer and cargo width limits are a matter of State regulations, as are pulling doubles and triples. Each State is a bit different. 

I built a trailer for my Alberg 30 in 2002 and have since land sailed her many times in Ohio, Indiana and recently Michigan.  I have never been stopped by any law enforcement officer. Several official cars have passed me by without much of a look. 

I do exercise major caution. I never tow the Alberg over an average speed 45 mph, have a slow moving vehicle triangle affixed to the rear of the trailer, orange caution flags on the rear, an extra tail light affixed to the mast which is about four feet off the road level and protrudes some 8 feet beyond the trailer and approximately 4 feet beyond the boat at the aft end and put on my emergency flashers when my speed is below 40 mph.  I was dismayed when I noticed that Michigan had increased the minimum speed limit on Interstates to 55 mph. 

I really don't like to trailer faster than 45 mph. For all my trips I try to select divided highways which are not Interstates and two lane country roads. On two lane roads I keep an eye on the back up behind me and pull off to let them pass if there are more than 3 or 4 cars behind. The beauty of traveling just 45 mph is that it makes for easier passing for cars which are behind me.  This is a matter of professional courtesy to other drivers sharing the roadways. 

I really enjoy the fact that I can relocate my boat at will.  When sea sailing I rarely travel more than 9 mph so while land sailing 45 mph is really fast. The Alberg is precious to me so on land or at sea I endeavour to exercise the same degree of caution. 

I have spoken with professional haulers on sev eral occasions about permits for the Alberg and trailer. Most have suggested that if the tow vehicle is something other that an obvious commercial haulers tractor or truck the official guys will leave you be. I use a 2001 Ford 250 Diesel Super Duty with larger tyre s which essentially makes the truck a 350, air bag suspension, 15,000 lbs capacity tow bar reciever, load equializer and anti sway bar.  I am dead serious and very careful each and every time I transport the Alberg over land. 

Don Campbell a Canadian on this list perhaps has the most serious experience hauling his Alberg 30 over land.  I am sure he can add to my comments. 

Michael #133 



----- Original Message -----




From: "Tom S." <tom.s at insightbb.com> 
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 7:14:50 PM 
Subject: [Public-List] hauling an Alberg 30  (Permit or no permit?) 

Hello all, 

Has anyone on the list ever been checked by the D.O.T while hauling 
their A-30 and asked for a permit? 

Does the D.O.T. have data which gives them the exact beam  of the boat 
or do they actually try to put the tape on it. 

As I am sure you all know this boat actually only violates the required 
beam for a very small point about mid ship. It would be a bit tricky to 
actually get it measured accurately.........maybe a couple of plum bobs 
dropped from the mid beam and measure between them. 

I realize the boat is actually 8'-9" but the beam on my documentation it 
is stated as 8.6 that could be construed as 8'-6" by say myself I guess 
maybe. 

The permits are not all that expensive but they do create  quite a bit 
of hassle.They lock you in to a time frame and a particular route. 

Anyway, I was just wondering what others have done.......... or might 
would consider doing. 

-mostly a lurker, but love this list, 

-tom s 

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