Aluminum Zodiac H733 OTH

[ncp]

Saw this on freeway in Los Angeles today on my way home.

These things are so awesome!

[jyasaki]

Is it actually legal to tow in the HOV lane? I suspect it's not, as trailers are limited to the two rightmost lanes.

Agree they are nice boats, though.

jky

[ncp]

Federal license plates probably help. Do you think they have a wide load permit too as they're over 102 inches wide?

You probably can't see it in the picture, but I love the way they tied the transom down: 1 four inch yellow ratchet strap, ends hooked to the corners of the trailer, middle looped over the samson post.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by ncp

Federal license plates probably help.

Ah. That explains it. I knew a CHP officer who used to water ski; he said he'd routinely drive at 90 pulling his boat. He got to meet a lot of guys from the other offices that way. Never got ticketed. (CA speed limit is 55 if towing, for those from out of state.)

You probably can't see it in the picture, but I love the way they tied the transom down: 1 four inch yellow ratchet strap, ends hooked to the corners of the trailer, middle looped over the samson post.

I tie my boat down using a 2 inch rathet strap over the motor pod. It's pretty solid; I've raised the trailer wheels off the ground when jacking the back of the boat off the trailer, and forgetting to remove the strap.

I've seen worse (including one guy using bungie cords at the back, and cotton rope at the front.)


jky

[ncp]

I love it. Now my girlfriend will send pictures when she passes one on the freeway (I-5 south, but San Clemente, CA)

[captnjack]

Its legal to tow in the HOV lane in Washington. Non-commercial vehicles including towed things have the same speed limit as other cars. Its not legal to drive in the leftmost regular lane when there are 3 or more lanes.

He is too wide for this state without a placard and permit.

[ncp]

Yep, CA is 102 inches (2.6m) without a permit too. Though, I've heard that getting a permit is just a matter of paying a couple of bucks.

My 7.3m Willard is 2.9m. If I ever get stopped, I'll play dumb and let the air out of the tubes...though it's highly unlikely it will ever happen.

[jyasaki]

Problem is that a permit load (I think) can only tow during daylight, may require chase vehicles, and may be limited to roadways they can travel on. And, I think the permits are time limited (though I have no idea how long for.)

My boat and trailer are just about at the width limit, I believe. Years ago, I figured out that my guide-on posts put me over the width limit. They're still on, and haven't caused problems yet.

jky

[captnjack]

Yeah overwidth (up to a point) in this state is daylight only and the permits have a term. Daylight only is a serious issue in winter since days aren't that long. No chase or lead cars required until you get rediculously overwidth though.

[ncp]

In CA, an annual permit is $90 for up to 12 feet.

[jyasaki]

With no escort req'd? Daylight only?

jky

[ncp]

I just called them to see what they'd say. I said "I'm thinking about buying a boat that's 9 ft. wide".

$90 annual permit allows use of the trailer on state highways & interstates. But, if you get off a state highway or interstate, you need to contact the local city/county in charge to see about their restrictions/permits. (right, like that's going to happen every time you pull off for gas, go the mile from the freeway to the ramp, etc.)

Anything under 10 ft. in width never requires a pilot car. They didn't say anything about night restrictions.

a 24 ft. RIB with a beam of 9 ft. would be "over 8'6 but under 12 ft but not over-weight, over-height, or over-length".

The state highways that the permit covers would be on these maps:
Pilot Car Maps
Look at the second set of maps entitled: "Annual Pilot Car Maps (Legal Weight)". She explained that yellow was okay and red you needed a "Single Trip Permit" for. Those were the only colors on my maps (OC/SD) but I noticed that the bay area map had red-dotted, green, and blue too. No idea what those mean!

I think that I'll skip the permit for now. By owning a RIB, we have the luxury of playing dumb with the CHP and deflating tubes. "Sorry officer, I'll just go back and deflate the tubes."

[capntroy]

Originally Posted by ncp

I think that I'll skip the permit for now. By owning a RIB, we have the luxury of playing dumb with the CHP and deflating tubes. "Sorry officer, I'll just go back and deflate the tubes."

Be careful playing that game, in California, not having an oversize permit in your possession is considered tax evasion and puts a misdemeanor on your driving record.

[jyasaki]

Boy, NCP had me all set to play games, and Troy goes and spoils all my fun...

Thanks for the info, guys. Not like I can afford to buy a new boat anyway.

jky

[capntroy]

Yeah, towing a 9'8" wide boat on the 10 fwy near Palm Desert cost me $1,500 in legal fees to keep the misdemeanor off my driver's record....no bueno.

[ncp]

Originally Posted by capntroy

Yeah, towing a 9'8" wide boat on the 10 fwy near Palm Desert cost me $1,500 in legal fees to keep the misdemeanor off my driver's record....no bueno.

Ok, might be worth the permit. Any other info from that story that would help us? How big of a boat were you towing?

Right now my boat is sitting next to a 24 ft. Glacier Bay cat in a yard up in LA. I sort of figured that my 7m looks so tiny compared to the Cat that no one would ever bother me.

Compare:
-24 ft. Glacier Bay Cat, ~9,000 lbs, 8'6 wide, 13'6 tall....it's a beast on the trailer but totally legal.
-24 ft RIB, ~4,500 lbs, 9'0 wide, center console/no top ~7'6 tall

In talking on the phone to them yesterday, I learned that having a highway permit doesn't allow you off of the freeways. So, the other thought I had was it would be easier to play dumb with the local authorities if I didn't have a state permit.

Troy, have you ever call a local city or county to ask about the their local restrictions and permitting process?

Thanks

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by capntroy

Be careful playing that game, in California, not having an oversize permit in your possession is considered tax evasion and puts a misdemeanor on your driving record.

On your criminal record, you mean. It shows up on a license check, but it's part of your personal record, not your driving record.

jky

[capntroy]

That's it, personal record.

The CHP officer said that he knew it was oversize because he was following the trailer and he saw that it was a little wider than the dually fenders on my F-550.

[ncp]

Originally Posted by capntroy

That's it, personal record.

The CHP officer said that he knew it was oversize because he was following the trailer and he saw that it was a little wider than the dually fenders on my F-550.

Good to know. Any problems with local authorities?

[capntroy]

Originally Posted by ncp

Good to know. Any problems with local authorities?

Not so far...