Getting our boat to Winni for a week?

RyanDe · 08-21-2018, 02:13 PM

We live on Merrymeeting Lake but would like to take a vacation next year to one of the islands on Winni. Since we live on the lake we sold our vehicle that could tow as we didn't need, so we have no way to transport the boat. Does anyone have a creative solution how we could get our boat to the lake for the week why we stayed there and then home again? We were thinking just a craiglist ad but something about trusting a random person with our $40k boat doesn't sit well.

Maybe we'd get lucky and the person we rent from would do it for a small charge?

Woodsy · 08-21-2018, 02:24 PM

Give Miles Marine a call.... I don't think it would cost to much to tow your boat to the Alton Launch and pick you up and tow it home..

Woodsy

FlyingScot · 08-21-2018, 02:37 PM

I like Woodsy's suggestion. If that doesn't work, rent a uhaul.

RyanDe · 08-21-2018, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I like Woodsy's suggestion. If that doesn't work, rent a uhaul.

As I've never driven with a 22' boat behind a vehicle nor have I tried to launch said boat that's not something I'd want to try. :-) My luck someone would record it and I'd be on America's Funniest Home videos.

Water Camper · 08-21-2018, 02:56 PM

If Miles Marine doesn't work for you, I tow my 225 Sundowner FourWinns annually to and from Winni and might be willing to assist you.

Hope this helps, Bill

Joebon · 08-21-2018, 03:41 PM

I towed and launched a 21ft boat Memorial Day weekend. It was comical, but everyone around was helpful. You should give it a try.

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TiltonBB · 08-21-2018, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanDe

We live on Merrymeeting Lake but would like to take a vacation next year to one of the islands on Winni. Since we live on the lake we sold our vehicle that could tow as we didn't need, so we have no way to transport the boat. Does anyone have a creative solution how we could get our boat to the lake for the week why we stayed there and then home again? We were thinking just a craiglist ad but something about trusting a random person with our $40k boat doesn't sit well.

Maybe we'd get lucky and the person we rent from would do it for a small charge?

Since you sold the tow vehicle could it be assumed that you have a trailer for your boat?

Things to think about:

If someone who is not regularly in the business does it for you make sure that their insurance company knows and will cover any commercial operation of their vehicle.

If someone does it for free make sure to agree on coverage should there be an incident or damage requiring coverage.

If you have your boat moved by an amateur make sure your boat insurance company understands and find out in advance what the coverage conditions will be.

There are a lot of potential ways it could go very wrong if you do not use someone in the boat moving business.

gillygirl · 08-21-2018, 05:20 PM

I’d agree with the Miles Marine suggestion. I loved the way the gentleman prepped my 22 foot for the ride from MA. And I’ve watched him launch multiple boats at Glendale. They know what they’re doing.

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RyanDe · 08-21-2018, 05:30 PM

Thanks, this is very helpful.

We do have a trailer it just stays at the marina as they take it out and put it in every year. They're really good, they'll pull it out for us and ready it for pick up if we ask.

I don't need exact numbers but what would you expect to pay for this? Alton Bay is about 9 miles from us, so it's close but I still understand there is time, gas, insurance, etc. I'm trying to get an idea so we can build it into our budget.

camp guy · 08-21-2018, 05:34 PM

Since your marina has your trailer, maybe you could have them provide the 'talent' to move your boat on your trailer to Winnipesaukee (and back) for the time period needed.

Good Luck.

Juiced06GTO · 08-21-2018, 09:57 PM

Worst case scenario, Enterprise rents F250's for $55 a day unlimited miles. Rent one for a day to practice maneuvering the trailer and then rent it again to move the boat. Several people I know rent them to tow their race cars to the race track on the weekends.

Best advice I can give for backing a trailer is to put your hand at the 6 o'clock position on the wheel, look over your shoulder or in your mirrors and move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. Make small movements and don't be afraid to pull forward, straighten out, and try again. It really isn't that difficult.

TheTimeTraveler · 08-22-2018, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanDe

We live on Merrymeeting Lake but would like to take a vacation next year to one of the islands on Winni. Since we live on the lake we sold our vehicle that could tow as we didn't need, so we have no way to transport the boat. Does anyone have a creative solution how we could get our boat to the lake for the week why we stayed there and then home again? We were thinking just a craiglist ad but something about trusting a random person with our $40k boat doesn't sit well.

Maybe we'd get lucky and the person we rent from would do it for a small charge?

Rather than dealing with transporting a boat, you may want to look into leasing a boat for the time frame you'd need one.

It likely won't be cheaper but at least you'll have a lot of peace of mind without dealing with the hassles!

noreast · 08-22-2018, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp guy

Since your marina has your trailer, maybe you could have them provide the 'talent' to move your boat on your trailer to Winnipesaukee (and back) for the time period needed.

Good Luck.

Yes, I think your marina would absolutely do it for you, I'd be shocked if they didn't.

Descant · 08-22-2018, 09:38 PM

All the marinas do this routinely. The one you already use is the logical choice to me. There won't be much $$ difference for a short trip.

Kerk · 08-23-2018, 05:33 AM

suggest you have the trailer checked for over the road trip. The wheel bearings have been in and out of the water and could be a problem.

GeoBarb11 · 09-01-2018, 08:17 AM

If you are talking a tow of just nine miles and have some experience towing, just go to uhaul and rent a tow vehicle. Not a big deal.

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08-21-2018, 02:13 PM	#1
RyanDe Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 47 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Getting our boat to Winni for a week? We live on Merrymeeting Lake but would like to take a vacation next year to one of the islands on Winni. Since we live on the lake we sold our vehicle that could tow as we didn't need, so we have no way to transport the boat. Does anyone have a creative solution how we could get our boat to the lake for the week why we stayed there and then home again? We were thinking just a craiglist ad but something about trusting a random person with our $40k boat doesn't sit well. Maybe we'd get lucky and the person we rent from would do it for a small charge?

08-21-2018, 02:24 PM	#2
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,964 Thanks: 80 Thanked 978 Times in 439 Posts	Give Miles Marine a call.... I don't think it would cost to much to tow your boat to the Alton Launch and pick you up and tow it home.. Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

08-21-2018, 02:56 PM	#5
Water Camper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pembroke, NH / Laconia, NH Posts: 450 Thanks: 10 Thanked 206 Times in 88 Posts	Looking for a tow If Miles Marine doesn't work for you, I tow my 225 Sundowner FourWinns annually to and from Winni and might be willing to assist you. Hope this helps, Bill

08-21-2018, 05:20 PM	#8
gillygirl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 760 Thanks: 764 Thanked 308 Times in 204 Posts	I’d agree with the Miles Marine suggestion. I loved the way the gentleman prepped my 22 foot for the ride from MA. And I’ve watched him launch multiple boats at Glendale. They know what they’re doing. Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app __________________ GG

08-21-2018, 05:34 PM	#10
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,173 Thanks: 298 Thanked 521 Times in 290 Posts	Getting boat to Winni Since your marina has your trailer, maybe you could have them provide the 'talent' to move your boat on your trailer to Winnipesaukee (and back) for the time period needed. Good Luck.

08-21-2018, 02:37 PM	#3
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,361 Thanks: 1,262 Thanked 1,014 Times in 625 Posts	I like Woodsy's suggestion. If that doesn't work, rent a uhaul.

08-21-2018, 03:41 PM	#6
Joebon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 142 Thanks: 23 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	I towed and launched a 21ft boat Memorial Day weekend. It was comical, but everyone around was helpful. You should give it a try. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-21-2018, 05:30 PM	#9
RyanDe Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 47 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks, this is very helpful. We do have a trailer it just stays at the marina as they take it out and put it in every year. They're really good, they'll pull it out for us and ready it for pick up if we ask. I don't need exact numbers but what would you expect to pay for this? Alton Bay is about 9 miles from us, so it's close but I still understand there is time, gas, insurance, etc. I'm trying to get an idea so we can build it into our budget.

The Following User Says Thank You to camp guy For This Useful Post:
upthesaukee (08-22-2018)

08-21-2018, 09:57 PM	#11
Juiced06GTO Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 213 Thanks: 9 Thanked 84 Times in 49 Posts	Worst case scenario, Enterprise rents F250's for $55 a day unlimited miles. Rent one for a day to practice maneuvering the trailer and then rent it again to move the boat. Several people I know rent them to tow their race cars to the race track on the weekends. Best advice I can give for backing a trailer is to put your hand at the 6 o'clock position on the wheel, look over your shoulder or in your mirrors and move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. Make small movements and don't be afraid to pull forward, straighten out, and try again. It really isn't that difficult.

08-22-2018, 09:38 PM	#14
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,311 Thanks: 1,328 Thanked 1,615 Times in 1,048 Posts	All the marinas do this routinely. The one you already use is the logical choice to me. There won't be much $$ difference for a short trip.

08-23-2018, 05:33 AM	#15
Kerk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 87 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Moving a Boat suggest you have the trailer checked for over the road trip. The wheel bearings have been in and out of the water and could be a problem.

09-01-2018, 08:17 AM	#16
GeoBarb11 Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 20 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	If you are talking a tow of just nine miles and have some experience towing, just go to uhaul and rent a tow vehicle. Not a big deal. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app