Anyone Tow an Oversize (Width) Boat

[DaddysGirlToo]

Just got my VA Hauling Permit for my Edgewater today from DMV in Richmond..Unbelieveable is all I can say!!! To make a long story short.
I can tow the boat:
a. During daylight hours only Mon thru Sat, BUT
b. if it's on an undivided highway then only from 9:30am - 2:30pm when school is in session.
c. Have to have a sign on both the front of the truck and back of the boat that says "Wide Load" in 8" letters, at least 18" above the road (i.e. grill of the truck)
d. Have to fly red flags flying
e. All the above on freeways (64, 264, 464, 564, 664)...
f. Have to have a city permit to tow for (b) above
I can't tow the boat:
a. On Sun and holidays (6 of them) AND
b. if the holiday falls on a Mon then I can't even tow the boat on the preceding Fri.
c. When it's raining
d. When it's foggy
e. When it's windy
They make it nearly impossible for you to tow the boat "legally". Was just curious who was towing an oversize boat and if you have had any problems?

[RAYMOND RHODES]

9' 10" here. No permit and no problems. Throw the permit away and if they do stop ya just play dumb is what I was told by a local boat hauler here. He tows all the time and does'nt have a permit and said he never has had a problem.

I don't know if thats good advise or not but it has been working for me.

[grin]

[DaddysGirlToo]

Well, I won't it away but I don't think I'll be flying flags nor stop towing it on the weekends or holidays!!

[On The Line]

I'm 9'3" wide and have had no problems at all between here and Palm Beach, FL. [grin] Even got pulled once and they checked for off-road diesel in the truck and weighed the boat & trailer to see if I was registered for the weight of it. Not a word about width at all.

[sfcallen]

9' 10" width and a Flybridge, never had a problem. Tow it through the tunnels. Got pulled over one time, the officer wanted to see the tunnel drive[smile].

[DaddysGirlToo]

So much for trying to do the right thing. Thanks guys...

[TommyTuna]

It's all fun and games until an accident happens and sharpie lawyers find out

[Rough Rider]

Like they say... It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Between the days off, holidays, and bad weather Va. won't leave you many days to haul the boat.

[Ben S]

I looked at this situation carefully before I purchased my boat.

As Tommy pointed out, no one will bother you much until there is an accident even if you are involved and it is not your fault.

No matter how dumb you look or act YOU WILL BE LIABLE if you do not have the correct permit and are towing outside the regulated hours. Some smart plantiffs lawyer will dig into you like no bodies business. Your insurance company will probably pay it but then proceed to drop you.

If a lawsuit occurs and you are found liable and the amount of the injury settlement is more than your insurance coverage, it comes out of your pocket. They will probably figure that you have deep pockets based on that boat. Lawyers don't eat if they don't get paid...

So it may be a once in a lifetime hit if you have an accident and no permit, but it could very expensive.

Sorry to sound negative but just be prepared to pay the piper should something happen.


Ben

[kjpogo]

I agree with Ben. I like fishing. Can't do much fishing from jail or if the lawyers take all your money.