Can you tell a difference in 3 inches?

[Budman]

In beam?

I've been looking at a couple boats and found some that have a 8' 9" beam.

Questions are:

There are some regulations in the towing laws that take effect at that width. Will the law notice the extra 3"?

Is there a noticable difference in the size of the boat with the extra width? If not, why do the manufacturers do it?

[denny-o]

A few inches will go unnoticed... Most of the guys find that up to 9' the boat is ignored... Once you reach 10' the extra is enough to draw looks from the officer cruising past... Of course, nothing will get past the officer with a week left on this month's quota of citations and way behind...

denny-o

[A Few Dollars]

Can you tell a difference in 3 inches?

That's got the makings for a dirty joke.

I don't think a few inches will be noticed by LE. Unless there would be an accident and they start nit-pickin'.

Edited July 28, 2009 by A Few Dollars

[OReely]

Like my wife said, every little bit helps. She likes a wide boat. She knows that a skinny boat is better for speed but she thinks volume is better than speed.

[B-Faithful]

My friend who is a cop said that they look for the boat to be within the fenders of the trailer. Just about all trailers are no wider than 102" so it is an easy visual for them. You cannot tell the 3" over..

[gallman98]

Slow is good and wider is better.

[denny-o]

OK, there is a tip.. Make the trailer fenders the same width as the beam and the po po won't even blink as you go by...

[cam]

OK, there is a tip.. Make the trailer fenders the same width as the beam and the po po won't even blink as you go by...

I like your thinking.

[Budman]

Thanks for the feedback