Montauk Total Weight on Trailer

A conversation among Whalers
Mattwarner
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2016 1:57 pm

Montauk Total Weight on Trailer

Postby Mattwarner » Wed Jan 10, 2018 12:20 pm

Here in the United Kingdom, trailer loads under 750-kg (1,600-lbs) can be towed on a trailer without brakes, and above this laws require the trailer to be braked.

I have a 1979 Montauk with a Tohatsu 90-HP two-stroke-power-cycle outboard. Looking up the factory specifications, the Montauk was 950-lbs and around 300-lbs for the motor--which puts me below the limit needing a braked trailer.

In reality, and assuming some water ingress, a battery, a bit of fuel onboard, etc., would [the total weight] be over this [1,600-lbs] limit by much? Technically the police could force me to a weigh station, however, in realty, I have never heard of it happening to anyone.

To put into context: I can afford to buy a brand new unbraked trailer as they are typically MUCH cheaper than a five-year-old used braked trailer--most of which have the brakes removed anyway as the drums and salt water don't mix and most seize anyway!. In my mind the new trailer is the safer option.

It also much easier for me to store an unbraked trailer as they tend to be slightly narrower and about three-feet shorter due to even the smallest braked trailers being designed to haul boats of 20-feet or longer.

jimh
Posts: 11673
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: Montauk Weight

Postby jimh » Wed Jan 10, 2018 1:24 pm

I would expect that the cited weight limit must also include the trailer weight. I would expect the trailer to weight several hundred pounds, perhaps as much as 500-lbs. You should should get clarification if the weight limit includes the trailer as part of the 1,600-lbs. It would not make much sense to ignore the trailer weight; the car brakes have to stop both the trailer and its load.

User avatar
Dutchman
Posts: 618
Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2015 7:48 am
Location: Kalamazoo, MI (South Haven)
Contact:

Re: Montauk Weight

Postby Dutchman » Wed Jan 10, 2018 3:27 pm

all true statements but for the OP it does make a difference what car you use. A Mercedes has better braking capabilities than a Fiat or a Skoda, you know what I mean if you at the 750kg max and also 5 people in the car towing the boat without trailer brakes, makes a difference instead of you pulling the boat without trailer brakes.
Towing is based on gross weight of all included.
EJO
"Clumsy Cleat"look up what it means
50th edition 2008 Montauk 150, w/60HP Mercury Bigfoot

User avatar
jimp
Posts: 139
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:18 am
Location: Juneau, Alaska

Re: Montauk Weight

Postby jimp » Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:08 pm

In 1992 the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) transferred me from Kodiak, Alaska to Juneau, Alaska. My 1982 17' Montauk with 1982 90-hr Evinrude was considered part of my household goods shipment, even though I was towing the boat and I was required to get a certified weight from the nearby truck weigh-in station. The boat was fully loaded (anchor, canvas, paddles, coolers, etc.) but no fuel, trailer included. 2,060 pounds.

Attached picture is from my trip north on the Haines Highway in 1989, in 1992 we drove the same route south. This is at Chilkat Pass, 3,510' above sea level.

JimP
Attachments
KJ1 589 HAINES HWY.2.jpg
Haines Highway Chilkat Pass, 3,510'
KJ1 589 HAINES HWY.2.jpg (82.65 KiB) Viewed 4624 times

Mattwarner
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2016 1:57 pm

Re: Montauk Weight

Postby Mattwarner » Thu Jan 11, 2018 12:02 pm

Thanks for everyones replies, looks like in reality I am going to be looking at over 750kg (sorry should have been clearer this does include trailer weight which are around 100-150kg)

Don SSDD
Posts: 313
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:58 am
Location: Nova Scotia

Re: Montauk Weight

Postby Don SSDD » Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:22 am

If you have a trailer now, I'd weigh the setup, rather than speculate. The trailer sites have their dry weights listed, check that out before buying one.
1986 Outrage 18 with 2001 Honda 130 HP
Former Owner 1991 Guardian 19 with 1994 Evinrude V4 140HP
Former owner 1987 Montauk with 1998 Mercury 90HP
Nova Scotia