Is the 228's 16" draft loaded?

[luckydude]

As some may recall, I'm trying to figure out how to get to New Zealand. I found a fishing forum down there and am asking questions.

Turns out, they like those aluminum boats because their launches vary a lot. They have some like we have here but they do a lot of beach launches as well.
Rollers are far more common than bunks because they roll the boat off rather than float it off.

GW says 16" of draft for the 228. Is that with engines, full water/gas tanks, gear? Or is it 16" with an empty boat?

 

[wrxhoon]

They do some beach launching in NZ but they have proper boat ramps like we and you do. Some small towns that I have been they launch on the beach, of course not a surf beach .
Don't worry you will be able to launch on a concrete boat ramp most of the time. A 4WD is good, ah and forget about taking your left hand drive truck there, you can't, you will have to buy a right hand drive truck and learn to drive one with the steering on the wrong side. Driving on the left hand side will be a bit of a challenge if you never done that before but you will get used to it quickly.
The reason they like aluminum ( by the way it is aluminium in NZ and AU) boats is because they are lighter so you need less power and less gas ( petrol in NZ and AU) and they can take a bit of hitting here and there, if they are not painted you don't notice.
Gas is very expensive in NZ, over NZ$2.00 per lt ( NZ$8.00 per Gal) but you get $1.50 for $1.00 US.
You are in CA so you have the most expensive gas in USA, for some reason all west coast has expensive fuel .
They like roller trailers there same as here but these days we have a lot of bunk trailers . Rollers are better for launching/retrieving , bunks much better on the road , especially with torsion axles. I have a bunk trailer and I don't float off or float on . I back down the ramp and hit the brakes she goes off and I drive on.
Take the GW there , much better than any aluminum boat, you should be able to ship her there for about $10k, not sure if you have to pay tax. I don't know if your trailer width complies with NZ regulations , I think their max is 2.55 mtrs (8' 4 1/2"). Make sure you check that before you ship.