Yes, in most cases. The boat stays on a roadworthy trailer and the rig hauls the whole package to its destination. If the trailer has a failed axle, broken bearings or a damaged frame, the boat may need to be lifted off first, the operator confirms the right approach when the call comes in.
Core Services
Heavy and Recovery
Specialty Vehicles
Roadside Services
Related Help
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Coverage Areas
Boat Towing · Hamilton
Ski Boats, Pontoons & Sailboats, Winch-Equipped Tow Truck Recovery
Bearing failure at the ramp. Pontoon stuck in mud. Sailboat needing a mast-down haul to winter storage. Hamilton Towing sends a winch-equipped operator with the right cable, experience on lake launches, and a rate quote before the rig rolls.
- Live phone line 24/7
- Ramp and marina experience
- Winch-equipped recovery rigs
What We Tow
Fishing Rigs, Jet Skis, Pontoons & Sailboats Up to 27 Feet.
Boat weight varies widely. A fishing rig might sit at 3,000 to 8,000 lbs depending on hull size and engine type. Ski boats run lighter, typically 2,500 to 5,500 lbs. Pontoons are heavier spreads, often 4,000 to 10,000 lbs once you account for tube diameter and deck material. Sailboats up to 27 feet can exceed 8,000 lbs with rigging included. Each type presents different towing angles and tongue-weight calculations.
Trailers come in single-axle and tandem-axle configurations. Single-axle units work for boats under 6,000 lbs; tandem-axle rigs handle heavier loads and distribute weight more evenly across the road. Roller trailers versus bunk trailers require different winching approaches. Sailboat carts add specialized handling that only Hamilton wrecker operators trained in marine recovery can manage. When you call, share the boat type, length, and trailer axle count so the right towing rig rolls to your location.
How It Works
From Launch to Destination, Boat Towing in 4 Phases.
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Prepare the boat
Secure the boat to the trailer with straps, seal the fuel cap, vent the tank, lower any sailboat mast, and ensure bunks or rollers hold the hull level.
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Phone in the details
Tell the operator the launch or marina name, slip number, boat type, trailer axle count, and what failed (bearing, axle, tongue jack, hitch).
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Get a quote and ETA
The operator calculates the route, confirms the cost, and gives you an arrival window. Peak season lake runs may add time.
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Tow and handoff
The winch-equipped operator extracts the rig, manages tongue weight balance, and tows to a marine shop, storage yard, or your property.
Service Territory
Lake Launches & Marinas Across Hamilton & Surrounding Towns.
Summer weekends bring steady traffic to Hamilton's lake ramps. Each launch has its own wear pattern on trailer bearings, tongue jacks, and axles. Hot pavement and repeated water cycles accelerate bearing failure, especially on loaded rigs. Seasonal peaks hit hardest on Saturday afternoons when multiple boats cycle through the same ramp. Cross-region hauls between Burlington lake access and Hamilton storage yards are routine in shoulder season.
Off-season moves run October through March when boats shift from launches to covered storage or private acreage. Freeze-thaw cycles can trap a trailer at a storage lot until a winch recovery crew pulls it free. Standard rates run $80 to $150 hook-up plus $3 to $6 per kilometre, with ramp-side winching and marina paperwork at the higher end. For longer hauls to rural marinas or regional storage, ask about long-distance boat moves.
Related Services
Boat Towing Pairs With Specialty Trailer & Recovery Options.
When a boat haul involves a damaged trailer, ramp-side extraction, oversized pontoons, or multi-day moves, the right towing service makes the difference.
Heavy-Duty Towing
Large pontoons, oversized trailers, and multi-axle recovery rigs for the biggest boats.
Learn moreFlatbed Towing
Damaged trailers and wreckage transport on a flat platform without frame stress.
Learn moreWinch & Recovery
Stuck-rig extraction at ramps, muddy banks, and remote lake access roads.
Learn moreLong-Distance Towing
Multi-day hauls for off-season storage moves and regional boat relocations.
Learn moreFrequently asked
Boat Trailer Towing Questions, Answered.
Boat-on-trailer hauls, ramp-side extraction, sailboat mast clearance, fuel tank safety, and seasonal marina-to-storage moves.
Stuck trailers at lake launches need a winch-equipped wrecker that can pull the rig free without bending the frame. Hamilton Towing routes a heavy-duty operator with the right cable rating and ramp experience.
No. Lower or remove the mast before the tow rig arrives. A raised mast adds height that catches power lines, sign gantries and bridge underpasses. If the mast is stuck, the operator can recommend a marine rigger before transport.
Yes. Confirm the fuel cap is sealed and the tank is properly vented before transport. A full tank shifts trailer balance and adds weight, so partial fuel is preferred on long hauls. If fuel is leaking, do not move the boat, call (289) 277-1744 immediately.
Yes. Hamilton Towing handles seasonal hauls from marinas and lake launches to winter storage yards or private properties. Bring authorization from the marina office so the operator can release the trailer on arrival. Pricing typically runs $80 to $150 hook-up plus $3 to $6 per kilometre.
★★★★★
Trailer bearing seized at the launch on a Saturday afternoon. Winch rig there in 50 minutes, got the boat home still strapped on. Smooth pull.
Hamilton · Lake area
★★★★★
Pontoon needed a haul from the lake to a covered storage yard. Operator handled the wide footprint and managed the marina release paperwork. Great communication.
Stoney Creek
★★★★★
Fishing rig got the trailer stuck at a lake after a thunderstorm dropped the access road into mud. Heavy-duty winch crew pulled us out and routed back home.
Burlington
★★★★★
Sailboat tow required a lowered mast and careful tongue weight management. The driver knew exactly what to ask for and the haul was uneventful.
Hamilton · Inner city
Boating Guide
Boat Towing Tips, Read Before Your Next Launch.
Pre-launch trailer checks, ramp-side axle failure response, sailboat mast prep, and what marina-to-storage hauls cost.
Boat recovery needed
Call (289) 277-1744, Boat Towing & Trailer Recovery.
Bearing failure at the launch ramp, a pontoon stuck in mud, a sailboat haul with lowered mast, or an off-season marina-to-storage move. Hamilton Towing sends a winch-equipped operator any hour. Safety first: secure the boat, seal the fuel cap, lower any mast, and stand clear of the rig before the tow truck arrives.
Free quote and arrival estimate before towing begins. Pricing varies by trailer weight, distance, time of day and conditions.