Large trailer rental recommendations? (New Sea Ray Owner and New Member)

**JakeTF** · 10-26-2012, 04:58 PM

Hello Club Sea Ray,

I recently purchased a new-to-me boat, a 1985 Sundancer 340. The thing is in great shape and has been well-maintained. I'm sorting through a few little fix-it items now, like the bouncy fuel-level senders.

It's located close to Portland for the winter (cheap moorage), but I want to bring it to Lake Washington in the spring to its future permanent home, potentially Newport Yacht Basin. I looked into shipping companies and they want something in the $1,700-$2,000 range to bring it up here. That seems quite a bit high to me. I have access to a capable towing vehicle and have experience towing large loads. I understand that this 12' beam boat will need a temporary oversize permit due to the width.

My question: does anyone have a recommendation for a rental trailer or have access to a large enough trailer that I could rent? It is 10,500lb, but might be a little higher with fuel/water. The LOA is roughly 34'. I would be towing it with a GMC 2500HD with a little under 14k towing capacity.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Jake

**sfergson727** · 10-26-2012, 07:03 PM

I think that boat weighs more than 10,500 lbs. I used to own at 280 DA that weighed 12,500 lbs on the trailer, you are looking at closer to 15,000 to 16,000 lbs in all likely hood. It's hard to find places that rent trailers, in the long run you are better off to let the pros move it.

**mwph** · 10-26-2012, 07:28 PM

First off Jake, Welcome to CSR! Plenty of guys here that have tons of experience and are willing to share it.

I agree with Scott. By the time you rent a trailer, spend a half of a fortune on fuel, add in your time, your agrivation and most importantly your risk. You'd gladly pay the $1700.

I agree as well on the weight issue, I think my little 250 weighs closer to 10,500 than a 1985 340 would.

Good luck with the boat & the transport. Again, welcome to CSR.

**MonacoMike** · 10-26-2012, 08:02 PM

I agree...

It will be near impossible to find a trailer to tow that big of a boat. It seems as if you are borrowing a tow vehicle, renting a trailer, and towing a 12 foot wide load, that is a lot of risk.

Hire it out with a properly licensed and insured carrier.

Welcome aboard, MM

**Sprint7TW** · 10-26-2012, 09:15 PM

10,500 is the correct weight for that year express crusier according to the SeaRay webite.

**sfergson727** · 10-26-2012, 10:09 PM

That is empty, with no options and the smallest engines they offer. Add in the weight of the weight of the trailer, and I think my estimate will be very close.

**dpvandy01** · 10-26-2012, 11:23 PM

+ 1 on the weight estimate. 10.5 plus 3.0 for trailer plus fluid, batteries and gear,,,, 14 to 15. Your 2500 may struggle. Add cost of fuel, cost of trailer rental, cost of permits and I'm saying pay the hauler. Not to mention the chances of finding a rental with the bunks jigged correctly for your hull so as not to interfere with your through-hull fittings is Herculean task. The trailer may need to have the bunks moved for fittings, the bow stop moves forward or aft for proper tongue weight and so on and so on. Hire the hauler,, pack a cooler and wait for your princess to arrive also, check with your insurance carrier on the cost of a rider to move this load on your own and properly insure it. Best of luck.

**Quint4** · 10-27-2012, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Sprint7TW

10,500 is the correct weight for that year express crusier according to the SeaRay webite.

Sea Ray listed my 290DA as 5800lbs....boat and trailer was 11,500lbs on the scale.

**CV-23** · 10-27-2012, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Quint4

Sea Ray listed my 290DA as 5800lbs....boat and trailer was 11,500lbs on the scale.

Same here.....almost 12,000lbs, Mike.

**JakeTF** · 10-29-2012, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by dpvandy01

Your 2500 may struggle.

Thank you for the responses. The boat was delivered to the current marina by a Seattle-based yacht sales company. They delivered it and launched it from a non-dual rear F250. I'm not even sure that it was the HD version, but it must have been. Either way, it can be done and the 2500HD is at least as good as the F250 if not better.

I found one trailer rental company in Ballard that has a trailer capable of towing it for $500/day. The truck is free for me to use and fuel wouldn't be that high. With the permit, I could probably get it to Seattle for $750, so it might be worth the effort to save $1000. I'm sure I can get my insurance to issue a rider if it isn't already covered. Most policies cover boats being towed and this should be no different.

Again, thanks for the help and I hope to contribute more to the CSR community as I get involved with this boat.