With 1,350 miles of coastline, welcoming communities and year-round sunshine, Florida is a popular destination for boaters. Our waterways are prolific and easily accessed, making this a boating paradise. Many boating enthusiasts ultimately choose to live here, and many bring their boats here from across the nation to visit. In many communities in Florida, there is a boat ramp in every neighborhood and a boat next to every home.

Therefore it is a common sight on our highways and byways to see vehicles trailering boats. Trailering (rather than storing a boat at a marina) takes a little more work to get on the water but is worth the effort!

Tips- and Laws – for Your Trailer:

• Always secure your boat to the trailer before getting on the road. The winch pull is not sufficient. Securely tie lines from the front and back of the trailer around the top side of the boat.
• Florida law requires boat trailers to have proper lighting including turn signals, tail lights, and brake lights.
• Trailers must be equipped with safety chains and tie-down straps
• Trailers weighing more than 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes that act on all wheels.
• Trailers weighing less than 2,000 lbs. must be registered with the county tax collector.
• Trailers weighing 2,000 lbs. or more must be registered and titled.

Tips for Driving:

• Acceleration takes longer with a boat in tow, so leave plenty of room to pull onto a road and get up to speed
• Conversely, slowing down will require far more effort when a boat is in tow.
• Even if the trailer is equipped with surge or electric brakes, stopping distances will be much longer and you will need to factor in how far it takes to slow or stop your rig on-the-road
• Be aware of how close you are to other vehicles, and how much time you will need to brake for a traffic light, turn, or toll booth.
• Practice turning as your radius will be much wider than you are used to.
• Be aware of high winds or a passing tractor trailer. Large vehicles develop a wave of high-pressure air in front of them and a low-pressure area behind as they travel down the highway; when a large truck passes your rig can be sucked into the low pressure. Keep both hands on the wheel and be ready for correction.Once you get to the water, we know that you will love the beautiful Florida waterways and coastline. Don’t forget the best tip of all when out on the water in your boat – an affordable Sign & Glide membership will give you peace of mind should anything go wrong. Check out our services today – and get to work choosing your next Florida boating destination.