Garage Dimensions

A conversation among Whalers
Sirius
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Garage Dimensions

Postby Sirius » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:15 am

My garage is 20W x 24D so it would easily fit lots of boats, except my garage doors are 8'6", and I have some trim that reduces the width to 8'4" or so.

[Boston Whaler] says the 190 MONTAUK and 170 MONTAUK are 8-feet 3-inches [wide] with trailer.

That [width] would leave me a 1/2-inch on either side. I can change the trim on the doors a bit and gain another inch and have an [some dimension missing here] of clearance on each side

Q1: is that too little clearance to back in the boat?

I'm a decent driver but this seems a little tight.

There is about 1-inch-per-foot [down] slope on my driveway [into] the garage so unhooking and pushing in by hand not really an option unless the trailer has a hand brake.

Q2: what say you?

Q3: is this amount of clearance reasonable?

Q4: will it drive me nuts?

jimh
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby jimh » Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:10 am

The factory gives dimensions for the 170 MONTAUK boat on a trailer as

23’ 6” X 8’ 3” X 7’ 0”

The dimensions appear to be in length-width-height order.

The hull has a beam of 7-foot 3-inch, so on the trailer the 8-foot 3-inch dimension must be width.

jimh
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby jimh » Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:18 am

Buy a battery-powered trailer dolly that allows you to move the trailer by hand. Backing into the very narrow garage door opening may be less risky if under control that way.

For example:

https://parkit360.ca/

https://traxpowerdolly.com/

ConB
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Location: Suttons Bay, MI

Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby ConB » Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:15 am

How high is the door opening?

Looks like a Montauk 170 will just go in a 7’ opening but a Montauk 190 needs 7’10”.

I like Jim’s power dolly idea.

Con
!987 Outrage 18 / 2011 Yamaha F150
1969 13 / 30hp Johnson tiller

Sirius
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby Sirius » Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:29 am

[T]hanks for the suggestions.

[I] should have been clearer. [The slope in the driveway] is actually a downslope to the garage, so I worry the trailer would get away from me unless there is a way to activate the brakes when moving by hand. [O]nce in the garage it is flat

[F]or height there is 8-feet of clearance at the doors.

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Phil T
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby Phil T » Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:41 am

There was an owner out West, maybe Colorado, who had a hum-dinger of a sloped driveway. It was really, really steep. This feedback comes as a result of that conversation.

Look into marking lines on the driveway (like airport tarmac) to help you guide the trailer/truck.

You could place install temporary channels on the ground that would guide the trailer wheels to the correct orientation to clear the door.
Some supermarket parking lots have them for the cart return. Same idea.

These would be removable. All DIY, maybe $50 in materials.If you want more design details, I will post them.

guides.jpg
guides.jpg (72.57 KiB) Viewed 3446 times


If height is a problem, remove windshield and some of the console rail bolts so you can tilt it backward. I do this for my Outrage 17.

Sounds daunting but think it through.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
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Jefecinco
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby Jefecinco » Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:12 am

I intend to buy a Parkit 360 next week. After countless hours of research on the subject of tow dollies I've concluded it's the best unit for my situation. It's a large expense but if it helps to keep me boating for a few more years it's cheap at the price. Our garage opening is adequate for our boat's trailer width but not by a lot. Our problem is the grade of the apron between the driveway and the garage entrance. To get the trailer into the garage by hand requires us to get a running start which is problematic when pushing it by hand. A younger me could handle it but I'm well past being younger, thus the Parkit.

Another possible solution to your height problem could be to deflate the trailer tires enough to get in and out and reinflate them after clearing the door. Sometimes removing the wheels and using two wheel dollies will get it done if the engine can be tilted enough to clear the floor. The advantage of wheel dollies is that the trailer can remain on them during storage. An electric impact wrench and make quick work of removing and reinstalling tires.
Butch

biggiefl
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby biggiefl » Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:59 am

If you need to remove your wheels to get your boat in the garage it is time to build a carport or buy a good cover.
On my 24th Whaler. Currently in the stable: 86 18' Outrage, 81 13' Sport(original owner), 87 11' Sport, 69 Squall(for sale cheap).

kwik_wurk
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby kwik_wurk » Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:04 pm

Time for the tape measure.

It’s likely that the max width (8-feet 3-inches) is the fender flaring, and that’s only 24-inches of length that will be tight.

Also the height is something to consider, if your driveway slope or grade is decent it will raise the height of the center console.

This said 1/2-inch each side on a downward grade is tight. If you’re going in and out several times per year, probably a hassle. But just once or twice per season, just get a helper to guide AND to block the tires if you’re going to touch as you pull forward to re-adjust. Most modern tow vehicles have hill assist, but blocks may still be needed.

biggiefl
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby biggiefl » Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:26 pm

I like the car wash tire guide idea.
On my 24th Whaler. Currently in the stable: 86 18' Outrage, 81 13' Sport(original owner), 87 11' Sport, 69 Squall(for sale cheap).

Don SSDD
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Re: Garage Dimensions

Postby Don SSDD » Sat Sep 12, 2020 6:55 am

I’d suggest some form of guard on the face of the door trim, a good chance it will be needed.
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
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