41DC Bridge Clearance

[Sparky1]

I have a potential buyer for my 1965 41DC who would need to transport the boat on a trailer. Hatteras does not have the specs on file as to the overall height of the boat from keel to windshield, do any of you?

Thanks.

 

[Boatsb]

I would start with the height from waterline to windshield and add 4 feet. Remember the trailer will add at least 8"

 

[ThirdHatt]

I transported my 41 from Ft. Lauderdale to New Orleans around 1999. Total height was around 14' loaded on a lowboy, but I did have to remove the hardtop and windshield. It was easier than it sounds actually. I found out this is how Hatteras used to truck them the 45 miles to the coast from the factory for launch.

I had a yard crane lift the hardtop, then a buddy and I unscrewed the windhsield from the dash and the two of us walked it forward and set it on the bow with some carpet pieces under it for cushion. It fit perfectly and we used a couple of straps to secure it. I then laid a couple of boards from the port handrail to the starboard handrail and lowered the hardtop down to rest on the dash/helm area and the boards on the handrails. A few straps and she was ready for the truck!

It only took about half a day to do get it ready for transport. That was the only way to get it out of the state of FL over the road. You may get away with the hardtop and windshield in place if the buyer does not need to go to Florida. For some reason, they seem to be the strictest about heights I think because the interstate bridges are around 16' above the road.

It cost $4,400 to get the boat here which was around 800 miles but diesel was probably just under $2/gallon.

GOOD LUCK with the sale!

 

[Sparky1]

14' is the magic number as anything above that will involve additional permitting for over-height as well as restricted travel routes. In my case, removing the windshield may not be an option without getting into significant costs in removing the entire hard enclosure associated with it. Then would come the difficulty in transporting the enclosure itself without causing damage.

Looks like I need to make some measurements to see exactly what we're talking about now that I know the boat sans windshield stands at around 14'. My enclosure stands at least 8-12" above the windshield not including the roof air unit. Not a big deal to remove that or the RADAR mast/dome.

 

[ThirdHatt]

Oh, you are right the hard enclosure would be a lot more effort to remove without damaging and in addition there may be some repair/repaint to do when it gets to wherever it's going. Remember that the 14' was measured after loading on the trailer, not just the keel to hardtop sans windshield. I think the trailer had the keel sitting less than a foot off the ground!

 

[67hat34c]

Randy, ask tom slane.

 

[Sparky1]

Good idea Steve, but I think making actual measurements from the waterline up then adding for draft will be the way I have to go. I wonder if a 41DC is any taller/shorter than a 41TC.

Oh well, as it stands I'll be finding out within a few hours assuming my folks show. Ed Gaito is bringing some people up from Georgia who are looking to take the boat to Lake Lanier. As I told him, the better move IMO would be to take the boat down the river to Hales Bar where there's plenty of water. They could then haul the boat (travel lift on site) and take it to Lanier if or when they get spring rains to fill that thing again. It's only an hour and half drive from Atlanta and all interstate.

 

[Boatsb]

Hey Sparky have you thought of a helicopter to take it to Lake Lanier? How about laying her on her side?

All kidding aside has someone run the route to see what the actual hard heights are? Permits cant be had for any load over the physical height limits.

I know they cost more but above 14'6" is permit able on certain routes. I just sent a boat to NC by truck and t was blocked with a rudder removed and the other between the rails of the trailer along with the props off and the shafts in the trailer pocked to make 14'5" with a 31 tiarra ( flybridge model) on a lowboy trailer. Taking the boat apart may cost more than the permits in your case.

 

[Sparky1]

I think we can get away with an overall height of 16', but it requires a special permit and will not allow for interstate travel. I'm not sure if one of the escorts can be used as a "pole car" to measure height, but I'm assuming it could. Otherwise, we're looking at three escort vehicles.

Frankly, I'm not going to worry too much about it until I see a signature on a contract.

 

[Boatsb]

Depending on the state laws escorts can be pole cars and pole cars can be quite far ahead in some areas. Let the hauler deal with the details.

 

[Sparky1]

I checked the GA DOT site, and it looks like there's no problem with a pole car being the lead escort. Permits for 16' are only $125.00, but there's no mention of a maximum height allowed. I'm assuming it just boils down to whether or not there are any obstructions which would allow over 16'.

Given what I've seen driving big trucks for over 30 years, I would worry about power lines more than anything else.