Spontaneous LONG tow

[bronze_10]

I like towing.. but I also bought a new aluminum I beam trailer because I knew I was gonna tow alot..

 

[Scottintexas]

I wouldn't tow that far on short notice, it's your weeks vacation with your family, all the prep. to get it ready, the tow, gamble on the weather to be able to use the boat,

for me it would add to much stress for little payoff, I'd either rent a boat if the weather looks nice or put a call out on JBN for locals who might want to share their boating pastime with your family for an afternoon,

.

 

[IndySmittyYammi]

All good points.

We are going to Naples, so it’s definitely the SOUTH part of SW Florida. Boat rentals are around $400/day, which we do every trip. Weather looks perfect, so we could get out at least 6-8 days.

I’m not ready to give up just yet. I’m waiting for a call back on a couple storage options. I’ve got a local trailer shop repacking bearings and potentially replacing tires on the trailer Monday. Needed to be done for the season anyway.

If nothing else, this is certainly helping pass the time before the trip!!! This whole discussion has me counting down the days until the first weekend in May in Dale Hollow!

 

[Paulie]

I've towed my boat down there but we rented a place with a boat lift on a canal for a month. I don't think that I would have done it for only a ten day stay. Eats up too much of your vacation time with prep,cleaning, etc.

 

[Liveto99]

You only live once! Could have should have does not give you great family memories. You do not need to high and dry the boat for a week I put my hand in the water for a week at a clip in Islamorada. Flush at the end of the week, if you start it everyday it does not dry out and the salt in the engine stays in suspension. I clean and flush really well at the end when I pull it out. If you get catastrophic failure on the trailer on the way down leave it at a gas station. Give him $100 to store it and pick it up on your way home.

 

[Wayloncle]

I’d take the boat if my plans are to enjoy the water during the vacation. If my plans were to do other inland things for 6 days and beach/water for 1 or 2 probably not. Towing and driving doesn’t bother me and I actually enjoy driving on trips though

 

[Looper7]

I would take the boat I am currently looking for rentals in the Destin area with a dock for a last minute trip and am hoping to find a way to take the boat. Yeah take the boat warm weather in winter you don't want to make the boat sad

 

[Peter simon]

I hope you ended up taking the boat. I did a 13 hour drive to the Keys and even though the water was a bit choppy and we only got to go out 3 times it was so worth it. We brought it down the next year as well and the weather was great and i had already figured out all the ramp logistics and how to navigate.

 

[2kwik4u]

@IndySmittyYammi Did you make the tow? How was the first weekend in May at Dale Hollow?

 

[watdog]

IMO it all depends on your comfort level, vehicle, and trailer condition. Two weeks after I bought my boat I towed it 10 hours from VA to FL and had an awesome time. Planing a 2 day tow to the FL Keys in November. It's 2 days for me towing or not. I do have to admit, mountains would concern me with surge breaks only because I lack experience. Hauled a 25' trailer with electric breaks all over no problem. I also have insurance with roadside assistance for the trailer.

 

[IndySmittyYammi]

@IndySmittyYammi Did you make the tow? How was the first weekend in May at Dale Hollow?

We didn't make the tow to Florida. We regretted it the first couple days, but then the wind kicked up out of nowhere and made it uncomfortable on the water, even on the intercoastal. We only went out on a rental once because of it. I guess we got lucky.

We then came home, sold the AR240, and bought a Moomba Craz. It was a crazy sequence of events and it made the first trip of the year to Dale a lot of fun! We went back again last weekend. Here are some pics!

 

[anmut]

Beautiful boat!

 

[2kwik4u]

@IndySmittyYammi

Glad to hear it all worked out......Also, that boat thing escalated quickly!

 

[Maccam26]

All good points.

We are going to Naples, so it’s definitely the SOUTH part of SW Florida. Boat rentals are around $400/day, which we do every trip. Weather looks perfect, so we could get out at least 6-8 days.

I’m not ready to give up just yet. I’m waiting for a call back on a couple storage options. I’ve got a local trailer shop repacking bearings and potentially replacing tires on the trailer Monday. Needed to be done for the season anyway.

If nothing else, this is certainly helping pass the time before the trip!!! This whole discussion has me counting down the days until the first weekend in May in Dale Hollow!

The storage on trailer options was tough to find when I went down last year to st Pete area but found 2 marinas to accommodate me.