Posted: April 29 2007 at 09:49 | IP Logged

If you trailer it make sure you have enough truck to do so. A 2500 or 3500 Diesel would be my advice.  Check with each state you travel through and purchase the over wide permits. Most cases they are from a few dollars to about $100.00.  I will point out that I have seen several 280's on the road and not one had a over wide banner on the front of it. Don't know if this meant those folks did not get a permit or they were not required to have the banners. 

There are a number of 280 owners at www.byowneryachts.com/forums/  That is essentially the Sea Ray Owners forum.

Posted: May 31 2007 at 09:20 | IP Logged

Alan,

Your posting kind of shocked me when I read that you're pulling 280DA with 2005 Escalade. Don't you think or didn't anyone advised you that you're way over the limmits? I have 2002 Escalade and pull 240DA, which I think just making it if not fully loaded. My Cadi towing capacity is 8200LB. Boat's dry weight is 6500 and trailer 1700. So, based on the simple math I'm ligally ok when the boat isn't loaded.

I just checked the Searay's specs and 2006 280DA Dry Weight : 8,500 lbs / 3,856 kg. What's your Escalade is rated to tow?

Thx,

Alex.

Posted: May 31 2007 at 18:51 | IP Logged

Alex,

You are 110% correct. The total weight of my rig is 10,300 lbs. It is more than the Escalade is rated to carry safely. I do not suggest that anyone else tow more than the rated limit of any vehicle. I had to move the boat from the sales marina to my home marina, and it was a choice that I made. Longer tows should be done with a rented pickup from Enterprise Truck Rental, in Philadelphia. This is the closest company that I have found that allows towing with rented vehicles. But for me to rent the truck, just did not make any sense. You see Philly is 3 plus hours away.

Thank You,

Alan

Posted: June 01 2007 at 09:24 | IP Logged

Hi Alan,

Thanks for clarification. I guess, I missunderstood that you had to tow only a short distance vs. having this as a long term solution. I would do the same in your case. A quick question, what was the reason you got the trailer for your 280, are you planning to upgrade the tow vehicle or just to have it stored by the house over the winter?

Alex.

Posted: June 01 2007 at 10:33 | IP Logged

I know I do not have EXACTLY the same boat but we own a 1999 SeaRay 2700SD "2nd Besttoy", (the previous model cruiser & few inches smaller) since 1998. We do not have an arch.  My wife and I trailer 2-3 times a month from March - November in NC, SC, GA & FL.  We use a FORD F350DRW Deisel, an excellent towing vehicle with great stability.  Before we moved up from a 24 we called and talked to the DNR & DOT of each state we use and were told both the LEGAL LIMITS and ther PRATICAL Limits.  As long as we will towing with a legal/non commerical vehicle and did not do any thing stupid or to attract attention they would not bother us over a few inches.  I also know the Northern States DO NOT feel the same way.  We have only been stopped one time and that was in GA to check for height.  We love going "Camping out" on the weekends and love our SearRay.

SecondBestToy

Posted: June 01 2007 at 12:51 | IP Logged

Hi Alex,

We plan on replacing the tow vehicle, and will be storing the boat at home during the winter on the new trailer.

Second Best, the only thing that would worry me about towing my 280, is that it has a 9'6" beam. The NYS limit is 8'6" on the roads, and the DOT employee that I spoke to, told me that it is easy to get a permit to tow, as long as it is for a privately owned boat.

Posted: June 01 2007 at 13:07 | IP Logged

The 270SD is 9'2" so we are a little more narrow. Yes the permits are easy to get and fairly inexpensive.  I was just letting you know what we do.  My son also tows a 282 Grady White sailfish (9'6" beam and over 30' overall length) He tows his with a 2004 Diesel Ford Excursion.  We love trailering toi thge coast where we run on the ICW.  The longest we have gone is nearly 1,000 trip on the water.

Good Luck

Posted: July 09 2007 at 18:16 | IP Logged

Indy...

Why not go with a 270 AmberJack? Smaller beam by 9" and you only give up 1'1" in length. It might solve your "overwidth" problem on most State's Highways. Great in the rough water too. Just make sure the one you get has the mid-cabin... Some AJs were made with the Mid-Cab some weren't in the 2006 - 2007 models.

Good Luck with this...

Posted: July 16 2007 at 09:50 | IP Logged

Alan, did you ever try to rent a tow truck to pull something like 280DA. Do you know what they charge for rental. Is it worth the hasle or is it better just to hire some company to tow it for you. I'm looking to upgrade to 280 (so far the best fit for us) and getting the boat to/from the marina every season is in question. I have about 30 or so miles to my marina.

Thanks,

Alex.