38EC Question

SR-71 · 11-05-2009, 08:46 PM

Does anyone know how tall a 38EC sits when trailered (including radar wing)? And max width on trailer?

38fountainecman · 11-06-2009, 09:19 AM

Max width is 10' 6" at the rubrail, just bow of the windshield. About 13'6" to the top of the radar arch and 10'-4" to the top of the windshield. The hullsides match the width of the fenders on the trailer and the fender width is about 104" I crafted a stainless radar arch hinge for mine so I can back it into the garage with a 10'-5" tall door.

Carder · 11-08-2009, 09:37 AM

Got any pictures of the hinged arch? That is a great idea!!
Carder

38fountainecman · 11-08-2009, 09:48 AM

Carder: pm me with your e-mail address and I'll shoot you photos tomorrow. I haven't quite figured out how to post photos on the threads.

fountain 47 sc · 11-08-2009, 12:02 PM

How do you guys like the 38 EC? They have a great used one at Shogren and I have thought about trading my 47 in but I trailer all the time. My 47 SC sits on a tandem dually MYCO and is over 13' high but the width of the EC is what worries me. I know all the routes now and am legal. My boat is about 10 mph faster than the EC's but this doesn't bother me because I usually just cruise.

38fountainecman · 11-08-2009, 01:21 PM

I love my 38 ec. I boat exclusively in Florida and the maximum width without a permit is 8'6". The 38EC is 10'-6" at the rubrail, but the sides of the boat match the trailer wheel width where they meet. So the boat does not look wide on the trailer. Florida typically does not enforce the width for recreational boaters due to all the fishing boats that are wider than 8'6". As far as driving comfort, this boat is not much different than my formula 419 which is an 8'-6" beam. I cruise at 40-44 mph at 1.4 mpg. The boat rides flat at that speed and handles big seas great, really solid. I, like you, don't miss the speed of my 419 at all (it was an 83 mph boat, with a lot of power of course).

Carder · 11-09-2009, 02:37 PM

I agree. My EC is great. It does tow well with our Eagle trailer, too. I have similar performance and mileage to report as well. It sips fuel...(compared to my Lightning, it does)
Carder

SR-71 · 11-10-2009, 07:58 AM

Thanks for all the great input. 13'6" high? Isn't that the max legal height limit for towing?

38Fountainecman - I'd also like to get some pictures of your radar acrh hinge too. I'm planning on purchasing a 38EC next year and I'm currently in the process of designing a storage building for it (hence the need for the width/height dimensions). Email: kf4hrkf4hr@yahoo.com

I'd also be interested in knowing what's involved in trailering a boat this size. Both from a road legalities standpoint, and what's need to tow this boat. I own a Dodge 3500 1-ton dually diesel capable of towing 14,700 lbs, although I'm thinking this truck may not be enough.

A few of other questions to 38EC owners:

Any suggestions on where to go to get reasonable rates on insurance one the 38EC?

500HP's versus 496HO's - is it worth the difference in speed, cost, performance, insurance, or reliability?

And finally drives; Bravo II's versus Bravo III's. Was this an option on this boat, and if so, what's the better way to go? (speed and reliability)?

Carder · 11-10-2009, 11:46 AM

Towing: Greg pulled mine over from Shogren with a Dually.
A bigger truck is recommended, I use a topkick 4500.
You can get a permit for the season from the DOT for "wide load"
Insurance: I got great coverage at a great discounted rate through Global Marine Insurance, Traverse City, MI
Jim Stanley is my rep. see their website, he is awesome

525's vs. 496's: 10 mph for lots of extra cash... the 525's use
Bravo3 XR's, vs. Bravo3 X's on the 496s. I don't know if B2's are an option anymore.

Hope it helps.
Carder

PS: 38fountainecman, I sent you a pm with my email.

38fountainecman · 11-11-2009, 06:35 AM

I tow mine with a f-350 ford dually. Obviously, the boat and trailer exceed the trucks rating, but I've been towing 419/38ec for almost 10 years. The key I have found is stopping. You must have disc brakes with an electric over hydraulic system. I can actually stop the boat/truck combo in a shorter distance than truck alone. My next truck will be a F-650 though, Carder has it right.

Pics of hidge are on the way, forgot camera at work.