Cat beams

Is trailering what limits every single cat to 8' 6" or less? I know the Tornado is wider, and some of the ARC models are wider but what else?

Just curios....

All of the European 20' carbon boats, M20 etc...,

Stilleto 23's

I have an ARC 21 at 8'6", wish it was wider......It would be an animal!

ARC 22... Bad butt boat........

Supercat 20, 12' beams, telescopes to 8' to trailer. The affordable ARC 22.

18 sq meters!!

Kirt <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Yes, ease of raod travel dictates that measurement. Other boats while gaining in many ways in their wider beam become a pain if not stored mast up.

think it's widest size that usa law regulates for normal load on normal trailer

you can build what you want but if it's not trailerable people won't buy them

where the laws are different cats are built either wider or narrower

someone said that australian nacras were of a different beam from usa built boats

apparently 1:2 proportion is a good size for cats if trailers aren't an issue, so my 17 foot nacra 5.2 could be 8.5 feet wide instead of it's current 8foot? width

eric e

Same in Europe the maximmum legal width of of a trailer... so unless you want to take it apart evry time aka Tornado then width restriction comes into play

I met a guy towing a Tornado fully made up behind an escort van on a small lane in Texel, a few years ago - that woke me up!

How much hassle is it to get a yearly over wide permit? The southern Kingfish Association fishermen trailer big center console boats up to 40+ all over the country (one of the favorites is the tournament 38’ Fountain and it is 10’-6”wide )...so it can't be too hard to get...a better question might be how wide can you go with a permit before you have to have escort vehicles, in some states it is anything over 14’ wide. Any one here knowledgeable about this subject? It could open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Regards,
Bob

http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=11313

In Europe you can tarvel under convoy eceptionalle, or as they are better known in the UK as STGO (Special Types Goods Orders, and covers width length and wieght, but the load has to be indivisable to qualify. Eg a beachcat with beams wouldn't qualify as it can be taken apart, but a yacht of 10 ft beam would. It then means markers have to be diplayed and if i remeber correctly once it goes over 1ft overhang either side then an escort is required

I did say legally!!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

My understanding is that in the States there are similar regulations as we have here in Europe

I am not sure the time limits for permits, but was thinking that they were only good for certain planned trips (not aimless wandering). You also have to avoid certain highways during certain times, use escorts, etc. I think it is big hassle.

All of this is conjecture from past dealings with US Federal and State governments. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I was attempting to find this when the "what do you tow with" thread came up again.

Notice that not all state laws allow 8'-6" width trailers (or load) and check out Hawaii's max. width of 9' <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Also check out the maximum trailering speed limit for your state. State by State Towing laws DL

Cool! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> According to that:
1) I broke 21 state laws on the way to your regatta, John!
2) My Tiger is illegally wide in my home state.

1 first class ticket to Hell, please. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Everytime? I think not:

Wow, Max speed limit for NC is 55. I break the law every time I pull out of my driveway with the boat.

The only state I was legal in this year was my own (70).

I know these laws apply to tractor/trailers. Wonder if the trooper has authority to apply to a car or truck/trailer situation?

Guess I'll check the state laws I travel a bit closer.

Indeed, but still at the 8 foot 2 max width tow !

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. If you look closely at the spreadsheet (provided by a trailer builder), you can see that there are weight restrictions listed that lead into supplemental braking requirements, etc. which makes me believe this list is for all trailers.

I would think that unless you're involved in a collision, or you come across a really bored trooper, you're probably OK. Although, I do recall a story about a guy taking a Hobie 21 through the toll booth in NH and getting an earful from the toll collector a few years back (he got tired of telescoping in the crossbars)...

There are other laws that aren't listed here. Some states require additional signals if the load exceeds a certain distance from the trailer (or car I suppose) lights. So many feet requires a red flag, so many more feet require additional lights. You can see where this applies to our masts, especially when towing behind an RV.

But, to answer the original question, to mass market cats, manufacturers are wise to stay within the highway limits. People are lazy enough as it is, if they have to jump through hoops to make their boat/trailer legal, that's one more excuse to buy something else.

Mike

Wide boats are usually involved in disatnce racing. That equates to a minimum of 3 days commitment unless it is in your back yard. Personally, I like the day on each end of set up and packin' it up where the extra beam would not matter.

HA!! California requires trailers over 1500lbs to have brakes. What a crock.

I've towed cats thousands of miles, my current boat at 2.5m wide fair scares the sh1t out of me on narrow roads , luckily it mounts high on beam supports over a massive box , the hulls were passing over folks wing mirrors on one nasty wee west highland road

towed a unicorn @ 7' 6" through cornwall once (was enough ) it was touching hedges BOTH sides of the road at same time in places

Sorry did mean flat... providing the overall width of trailer incl load is not over 2.6m then you are legal. Teach me to post and not read what Ive typed until the next day!:o

This certainly the case in Europe anything over a certain overhang Front or Rear requires markers and if over 3m requires notification of movement.

Trailers over a certain length also have to have side markers as well as reflective boards.... in extreme cases a reflective board with LONG VEHICLE on if the combined length requires it.

Then weights require brakes etc

Number of axles with brakes can affect the legal speed you can tow at in uk single axle non braked trailer 60mph braked twin axle 70mph

Complicated this towing lark ain't it!!!!!

Absolutely! That's why I say, unless you find a really bored trooper, you're probably OK as long as you aren't doing anything overly stupid to draw attention to yourself... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

IMHO, having this number of variations in the laws between states (in the US) screams poor legislation. I'm not a Big Brother kind of guy, but standardization in the form of federal laws instead of state-by-state rules makes far more sense, especially considering how many states we're likely to drive through on a given trip. Like THAT will ever happen... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Mike

Worse thing is is that in the UK Im considered an expert!!!!!!