Question for the Big Boat Guys
 

Trying to do my homework…

The last tuition check has been cashed, discretionary income is imminent, the wife and I want to buy a bigger boat and do some traveling, poker runs, etc etc….

A 30ish hull we could haul to the Traverse area or LOTO or "wherever" and I know it's usually not an issue getting a slip or dock space at most of the municipal marinas.

At 40ish the situation changes. We'd be "forced" to boat out of the Gr Haven or other W. Mi port since beam causes issues with legal trailering.

Do you guys with the big boats have problems finding space at the marinas when you travel ?

Do you ever think about going back to a mid 30 foot hull?

Thoughts are appreciated…thanks in advance.

Think Spring

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Most sport/performance boats are well within trailer-able widths. It really only becomes and issue in CC's or Cruisers and of course cats. Now, the bigger you go, the more truck it takes to pull it. But duelleys will pull about any size you would want...

My suggestion is buy as big as you can afford. Because it eliminates or at least slows down the 6' idus...

My boat is 8'6" wide so no problem on the road. It only happened once a marina did not have a dock for me because of lenght but they were able to dock me at the end of their gas dock so it was not a problem. I pull mine at 19 000 pounds with my 3500 duramax and pulls just fine... No regret up to now!

99% of performance vee are all not wider than 8'6" so trailering youre fine. 35-38' is your best all around size. wont get beat up as much as a 30 or 32. more cockpit cabin room if you want to sleep on it and entertain. once you go 40' + you are looking at triple motors or very big stagger motors and a wildly awesome cool boat!! say **** It and buy a 47 apache lol

Price really isn't the issue and tow vehicle is a non issue.

V-Bottom sport boat.

Beam on the 40 is 9'6"

I believe legal tow width in MI is 102"

If I understand the rules correctly, over 102" a permit is required which is NOT good at night or on the weekend.

I'm really not all that concerned with getting a ticket for over width.

I'm in the auto industry and have seen insurance companies look for any excuse to not pay a claim.

If you're not legal and are involved in wreck - even if you're not at fault - you're giving your insurance company an excuse to not pay a claim. If you back into a mailbox you're probably covered. If a drunk rear ends you and kills himself when the family sues you the drunk will have been on the way to the orphanage to drop presents off to the kids and after that he was headed to the airport to go dig wells for the poor in some 3rd world country.

My biggest concern is showing up somewhere and not finding dock space because a 43' is too big & wondered if that was a real concern

When we bought our Gun I was initially worried about dock space but its never been an issue ever. Even taking a trip on my local pond when the biggest boat you see is a 20' bass boat, we still dock at the restaurants that are not equipped for big boats and it works just fine. Back it in and that little 6-8' dock works great!! There is always a spot to put your boat!!

A 42 Cig Tiger is 8'6 ish beam.......... I know of one maybe for sale 800's #6 boat

So does that mean if I have and Outerlimits I'm a 1%'er?

Actually it does. Only about 1% of v bottom powerboats on the water are as wide as your outerlimits.

I've travelled around to many lakes and the only problem I've seen is beam. A lot of marinas & restaurants aren't set up for boats over 8'6. Like others have said, if you back in and have enough dock to tie up to the midship cleat, it's usually fine.