TOPIC: Take the boat on vacation or not? 23ft. Bell Boy

So im in San Diego and the boat has only seen the bays and open water here only a few miles away. Im going to be spending a few months in Springfield Mo. and would like to take in the lake of the Ozarks and a few others in the area. I will be taking my 7.3 F350 Ford so no problem with pulling the boat. But my buddys are saying it too big for a cross country vacation and the 23ft. Is not conducive to a lot of the water ways... im not buying that. What do you guys thank that pull your boats around for vacations? issues? Too big?

My opinion ? I bet the F350 can toe you house across country ?
As long as the lights, bearings and tires are good ? Go for it ! A good running boat is no good on a trailer. Ha-Ha-Ha !
Especially if all you think about is..... I should have brought the boat.... I should have brought the boat... Worst case ?
People staring at your boat as they drive along on the highway !!!
Really ? What does a 5th wheel 40 foot trailer weigh ? Same difference to me ?

If you have a boat that size and a one ton, then you are no rookie. I f you are like most people that tow, your tires are good , bearings good and greased, lights good etc. I figure if my equipment is not good enough to tow cross country, then I also shouldn’t tow it across town. I also wouldn’t think the draft on your boat would make most of your lake adventures impossible. I just check lake maps, check with locals and know the draft at idle and also how deep I dig on take off. I just ran a strange yet miles long large lake that the deepest spot was 7 feet. Certainly your big rig drafts more, but you can easily check out specs on those lakes (big and small) and likely enjoy safe boating. If I were on the ozarks and someone said join me on the 24 footer all day, I would leave my shallow 20 footer on the trailer. If you are up for it, go for it. I read a great story of a family towing their trailerable houseboat across the country for a family vacation and their story and memories were priceless! Seems you have the right equipment. Best wishes on your decision.

Yeah that was my thinking as well. I do pull a 5'er without issue and the boat is no different as far as length goes. The old Manual 6 speed 4x4 doesnt even grunt when I ask her to pull so thats not an issue. I just put E rated tires all the way around all my trailers so it should be just fine. Once out of Californa I can get out of 4th doing 55 and get up to speed the rest of the way. Think Im leaning towards dragging it along. Thanks guys.

Vacation without a boat? That's not a vacation. Go For It. Shouda-cudda will haunt you if you don't.

I think you should take it. When we travel without a boat, I often see places to launch and wish I had the boat with me. One thing I will mention: If we travel with a boat far enough to need to spend the night somewhere, I try to plan that in more detail than when solo. The obvious reason is you need a motel/hotel with a parking lot big enough to maneuver the rig easily and preferably a place to park where you can leave it hitched ("Truck Parking" is best for that). An option for you might be a campground, if you can sleep in your bell boy. After a couple of days on the road, the planning ahead and picking places to stop become automatic. Good Luck.

Good thoughts indeed. My truck is 8’ with a camper shell on the back so sleeping arrangements are not an issue. Just me doing what ever I want. Never would of thought about sleeping in the boat on the trailer... I will now. Thanks again.