Towing a Skater 32B?
 

Morning folks,
Went and surveyed the new to us, 2000 32B this past weekend, and I'm headed back this weekend, to drag it back to Fl. At a beam of 9' 4" , it's slightly over width, do you think DOT will notice or hassle me. Boat is in WI.
Thanks,
Dean

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f5a457ed9.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...45cd66807.jpeg
It's barely noticeable that the hull is past the width of the trailer fenders by 2" on each side, I searched the Skater forum about this Q, didn't find any info.
Tx,
Dean

I wouldn’t worry about it, highly doubt anyone would give you trouble over that.
Congrats on the new boat, looks really clean!

You should be fine. Hell the people in florida tow 12 wide with no permits or banners according to my friend

I wouldn't pay any mind to it and just bring her down. Very nice buy Dean!

I would think you would be fine but I will say I've heard some ugly stories in Illinois.

Towing with a dually? Boats look much narrower and are much less likely to be pulled over when being towed by a dually.

I have a friend with a 32b he's towed it to LOTO and back from NY several times with no issues..... be very careful if you go through any toll booths..... good luck.... beautiful boat!

I've read/heard those stories too. Stay on the highway through Illinois. I'd assume you are going to cut through Chicago, and over to I-65. The stories of over length and over width boats and such in Illinois have mostly been in small towns, where they have gone overboard on laws enforcement, including impounding and fines. Just jet through the city, and you will be fine.

Yes, 2016 3500 RAM

S,
No Chicago coming down I-39, to Bloomington, then I-74 to Indy, then I-65 south...

I tow my 10' 3" cat everywhere with a dually. I agree a dually does make the boat look less wide. I also live in the Chicago suburbs and have had a wide boat for the last 20 years with no issues traveling on highways and side roads in Illinois. A 9' 6" cat should be no problem. A big wide cruiser on a trailer looks massive compared to sleek offshore boat.

Well you will get to find out how nice our roads are, last trip i took some off ramps were like we were offroad.

I have towed my 308 to NC multiple times as well as the FL Keys which seem to be even tougher on width with never an issue.
I would think under 10' you will be fine with no issues

Here's the Mule that's going to pull it home...
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2002f1964c.jpg

I pulled my 3212(10-6) all over N America with no problem and no permits.

F350 Dually
F650
F250 SRW

The SRW definitely showed the boat size far more than the others but still rolled along.

I’ll wave at ya as you”re passing by my house once you start heading East on 74. :flag:You shouldn’t have any issues on that route.

Wave to me as well when you pass the Corvette museum and race track in Bowling Green KY. No one ever has problems in Kentucky or Tennessee.

I have pulled a 46 Skater for 5 yrs on a flat trailer with no permits but I did put oversize load signs and flags on the back corners. I have also pulled a 41 Cig CC from MI to FL for 5 yrs with no signs or permits. it is 11ft wide I wouldn't put any signs or flags on a 32, it will just draw attention to you. Do not go into any weight stations or check points like the one at the FL line. You are pulling it illegally and that could change everything if you were to have a bad accident, Sorry didn't mean to ruin your trip. It will be fine, Congrats on your new boat. My bother is redoing a 32 right now, really nice boats.

I just seen that ad the other day, really nice boat

K,
Thanks for the info/advice, and yeah I thought about the accident scenario, and if my insurance would decline a claim.... But I'm going to take it easy on the way back
Dean

If you run an app on your mobile phone like "WAZE", the navi system is helpful in avoiding radar traps, traffic tie ups and alternate routing on the fly.

The big @ss end of a DRW truck really detracts attention to the beam of the boat on a trailer

SL,
Yeah I have WAZE, good idea!
Thanks,
Dean

We use Waze all the time, works great and I think you have both apple play and google play on your truck so it will display right on the screen.

You could always buy the tilt I have for sale?

Just as a FYI for those that go overseas, the same waze works in the EU even better than in North America - shows all the photo radar boxes (active or inactive - sans camera)... and the slowdown points on the Autobahn

I towed my 36 Cig which has a 9'6" beam back and forth from Chicago to FL for 15 years no problems. Also had some side trips to Michigan and NJ.

I will say the widest part of the boat is up by the windshield so from the transom it didn't look all that wide. I don't remember ever being stopped.

There was the one time the boat would up on it's side in Kentucky............................... however that is a completely different and long story

Never had an issue. Go for it.

P1,
Thanks and I'll be watching your 400R project with interest.
Dean

Safe travels Dean...

E,
Thanks headed out the door now.
Dean

Good luck on the drive to the great white North Dean, can't wait to see it in person.

Roll with it Hell most people in ILL don't even know I-39 exists LOL

Made it back last night ~ 6:00 pm, ~2700 miles in 50 hours. Skater in it's new home on MI!
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...34207e6ba3.jpg

Some pics of the Skater
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7f4d847688.jpg

Wow, nice super clean boat! Good luck with it. Now, I'm gonna be cleaning my bilge!

Dean it looks like you got one hell of a deal. Congratulations!

Interesting collection in your toy box (shop) along with the Skater..

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...032df6b8df.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8a94f60913.jpg
More pics

Clean. Congrats!