CONTINUOUSWAVE

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.

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.

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.

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

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)

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.