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Picking Up my boat from the dealer

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Scott1

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Starting Friday my time I will be starting my journey from the Middle East to pick up my new pontoon boat in Indiana.  I will have a 20 hour drive home after that with boat in tow!  I am also flying my wife there so she can enjoy the long drive home with me :)   This is one long trip to pick up a pontoon boat but I am sure it is going to be worth it.

I am renting a large SUV once I get there since they have the tow packages.  I will be stopping at Walmart to pick up a 2" ball and hitch and a socket and ratchet for any emergency tire change on my trailer.  I have a small list of questions to ask the dealer when I get there. 

Is there anything else any of you can think of that I should purchase for this long haul home or any must know information I need to get from the dealer before I leave.

One thing I am not too happy about is it sounds like they will not wrap my boat for me for the trip home.  If this is the case, I am going to tow it with the cover on the boat even though the advise is not to do it.  I would rather deal with a few broken snaps than a boat full of hard to remove stains from all the road debris.  I have recently read a horror story of someone that did this and could not get the stains out that well.  I am not going to let that happen.

Thanks
 
Just a suggestion but I would go to a nearby marina and ask them to wrap the boat for you.
 
You most likely have more than broken snaps without the proper cover .

I would remove the seats that are attached with velcro and put them in the SUV .
 
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Jack M. said:
You most likely have more than broken snaps without the proper cover .

I would remove the seats that are attached with velcro and put them in the SUV .
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I didn't realize it was such a big issue hauling with the cover on.  I have a ski boat and have done it since 2002, but maybe the covers are different or act different on a pontoon.

If I insist on them doing it, how long should it take and what would the cost be?  Any guess's?
 
Local dealer here, $13.50/per foot for boats with an 8’ and over beam.

Broken snap should not be your worry, it's the beating against the boat after it breaks that will make you sick. Nothing like getting a brand new boat, and beating the rails to death from a broken snap. If it were me, ABSOLUTE WORSE CASE, I'D TARP OVER THE EXISTING mooring cover, at least the front to protect from the wind..
 
The wind ripped the cover off my former bowrider when towing it. I had towed it numerous times without incident but it only took this one time. Ripped out 16 of the snaps but the scariest was the thought that it could have ended up on a car behind me (it didn't). I wouldn't tow unless you had a dedicated trailer cover or no cover (taking all loose equipment/seats/tables out of it).
 
What they said^^^^^^ Or go topless if the weather is nice and remove anything that can come out. That way when you stop for gas you can step up inside it and drool!
 
We have people around here that do it ~$10/ft but they buy kits, typically in the fall. I would think Main Channel could surely arrange that with someone. I think my dealer here could do it on your way back (60 miles), but they're REALLY busy getting boats ready and in the water (including mine).
 
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Don't forget the trailer wiring adapter. Likely a 7-pin connector and you won't for sure which one until you get the tow vehicle but it sounds like you will have the tow vehicle upon you're arrival back in the states. I think Wal-mart has some adapters with both a 4 and 5 pin trailer output on the same connector but your dealer should be able to tell you which one is on the trailer (4 or 5 pin flat?) before you get there.

For that drive, I think I too would heavily consider having it re-wrapped. Interested in all the responses on towing with the mooring cover and if anyone has had any longer term success with that. It would be the exception for us but I'd like the ability to tow with ours too on the rare occasion. Anyone done this on a regular basis without issue and if so, any additional recommendations as far as if you do anything differently to prevent problems?

Congrats on the new boat Scott and have a safe trip!
 
Just towed my boat from Virginia to North Carolina. About 6-6 1/2 hrs with the cover off. Didn't have any road debris, bird crap, or anything else that didn't belong in there when I got home.

Suggested piece of equipment..........a grease gun for your trailer bearings.........
 
Thanks guys.  Just negotiated for them to wrap it for me, so all should be good.
 
Scott1 said:
Thanks guys.  Just negotiated for them to wrap it for me, so all should be good.
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Good luck with the journey and wave as you go by us on the IN Toll Road!

It's going to be really cold and blustery for that water test, so there shouldn't be many others out on Lake Wawasee.
 
I'd suggest buying a good quality air gauge so you can check your tire pressures every morning.  Also buy a t-handle lug nut wrench so you can check the lugs for tightness every day.

I hope your dealer doesn't do like my dealer.  He delivered my Bennie with 5 gallons of gasoline, no mooring lines and no life preservers.  He was also trying to sell me Stabil and Yamaha RingFree Plus at inflated rates.  lt kind'a got on my nerves.

I showed up with my cheap orange life preservers and a set of ropes precut to my preferred 10' lengths.  I also had the required throwing apparatus with me.  You never know when you might want to stop along the way and try out the boat.
 
Thanks for all the tips guys.  I am definitely looking forward to it and hope all goes well.

On another note, they mounted my engine in the bottom hole, I had to talk them into moving it up a hole so at least I will be close to where the engine should be.  All the information I read says the anti ventilation plate should be above the water.  According to dealer Benningtong says engine should be in bottom hole regardless of where it rides.  Seems like the motor manufacturer and Bennington are not giving the same information.

I have read where if it is below the water line, it reduces fuel mileage, causes drag and undue stress on the engine.  Sounds to me like Mercury would let the dealers know this.
 
I would think Bennington has it dialed in based on testing. My understanding is they tell the dealer which hole to mount it on. Curious on how many have had to re mount their motors after delivery from the dealer? I'm 0 for 2
 
Scott1 said:
Thanks for all the tips guys.  I am definitely looking forward to it and hope all goes well.

On another note, they mounted my engine in the bottom hole, I had to talk them into moving it up a hole so at least I will be close to where the engine should be.  All the information I read says the anti ventilation plate should be above the water.  According to dealer Benningtong says engine should be in bottom hole regardless of where it rides.  Seems like the motor manufacturer and Bennington are not giving the same information.

I have read where if it is below the water line, it reduces fuel mileage, causes drag and undue stress on the engine.  Sounds to me like Mercury would let the dealers know this.
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What you've read on veradoclub.com and in the videos is correct. Cav plate rides near the surface such that it is easily visible at mid-cruise speed. That's how mine was set up from my dealer.

 
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Tom,

You posted this picture before which helped me a lot.  I also read the verado club website and agree.  I may end up raising it more, but that is not a problem.  Thanks again
 
Newbie power question here - I'm getting the Yamaha 150, do I have to be concerned about the dealer mounting it incorrectly?
 
IslandNomad said:
Newbie power question here - I'm getting the Yamaha 150, do I have to be concerned about the dealer mounting it incorrectly?
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Bennington has soooo much data on 150's, if they follow their recommendation it should be fine.
 
Don't tell the rental place you are towing. Most of the agreements don't allow towing even if the vehicle has the power.
 
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