Exactly right

David,

Mike is correct and when you add the road clearance from the highway to the keel as it sits on the trailer, then you can easily add 1' to that number, total of 16'6". And that would be on a very low trailer. 13'6' is the legal limit on height so a standard semi trailer is not higher than that. You can permit for extra height, the state DOT will look at bridge clearances in their database and permit accordingly. The state will take NO responsibility, it is up to the trucker to verify all heights. Where is the boat now and where are you trying to take it? Some parts of the country are much easier to navigate with a high load than others, because of the age of the highway system,( old bridges are generally low bridges), or the terrain, ( flat country tends to have lower bridge height, midwest). It is possible to run a load at 15'6" from Atlanta to Tampa on the interstate, but going north the flybridge would be swiped off the boat at the first bridge going into Virginia.

I can tell you for sure that a load at 16'6" is a very difficult move and should only be done by an experienced boat hauler. Read, do not take the CHEAPEST price. You are looking for experience. By the time you pay for the front escort with a high pole, and the risk you take, you will be well advised to remove the flybridge, either yourself or professionally done. It is not just the highway bridges you have to clear. There are traffic lights, tree limbs, power and telephone cables, overhead railroad signals, and overhead signs. Shrink wrap the flybridge and install wire ramps, protect the front edge with carpet.

You might can remove the hardtop, helm console, and windshield and get under 15' which would help tremendously, you need a real low rig to do this. The lower the trailer, the more the driver has to worry about high centering at railroad tracks and abrupt grade changes. Most boat haulers hate high loads! They tend to cause alcoholism, HA.It's not that much more trouble to take the flybridge off, though.

It is easier if you haul the flybrige and hardtop on a separate trailer, maybe you could do that with a pick up truck. Otherwise it is a headache to package everything on the bow of the boat.

There is a lot to consider.

Greg