Welcome To The 

INTERNATIONAL CLASS ASSOCIATION
The ultimate single-handed dinghy with a lifting keel

Firstly there is the RYA publication.

https://www.rya.org.uk/news/a-handy-guide-to-boating-into-europe/

 

Secondly this is what AI has to say on the subject.

 

Trailing a dinghy to Lake Como for a week-long regatta is a classic "bucket list" trip, but the 800+ mile journey from the UK involves navigating three different sets of national laws and a significant amount of mountain driving.

Beyond the RYA’s general guidance, here is the specific "boots on the ground" advice for a 2026 trip to Italy.​

1. Critical Paperwork & New 2026 Rules​

• Trailer Registration (The 750kg Rule): As of late 2025/2026, the UK DVLA requires all trailers over 750kg (Gross Weight) to be officially registered before traveling to Italy or through France/Switzerland. You will receive a separate "Trailer Registration Certificate" which must be carried.

  • Note: Even if your boat/trailer combo is lighter than 750kg, voluntary registration is recommended to avoid "lengthy explanations" at the Italian border.

• The "UK" Sticker: Ensure you have a UK sticker (not GB) on both the car and the rear of the trailer.

• Green Cards: While many insurers say they aren't needed for the EU, Italian police are notoriously strict. Carry a physical Green Card for both the car and the trailer—check that your policy specifically mentions "Category F" (Trailer).

• Customs (Annex 71-01): To avoid being charged VAT/Import duty at the border, carry an Annex 71-01 form (Temporary Admission). This proves you are bringing the boat in for a regatta and taking it home again.

2. The Italian "Mast" Rule

(Strictly Enforced)

Italy has a specific road code (Art. 164) regarding "overhanging loads" that differs from the UK and France:

• The Sign: Any part of your boat or mast that overhangs the trailer (usually the mast) must be fitted with a specific 50x50cm reflective aluminum square with diagonal red and white stripes.

• The Trap: Plastic or flexible versions sold in UK shops are often technically "illegal" in Italy; it must be the rigid, type-approved aluminum version. Italian police frequently fine UK sailors specifically for this at the border.

3. Transit Advice: France vs. Switzerland

Most sailors take the Gotthard Tunnel (Switzerland) route to reach Lake Como.

• Vignettes (Double Up): In Switzerland, you need a motorway "Vignette." You must buy two: one for the car and one for the trailer. In 2026, you can buy the E-Vignette online before you leave to save time at the border.

• The Descent: The road down from the Alps into Italy is steep. Check your trailer brake shoes and grease your bearings before you leave. Smokin' brakes on the descent to Como is a common (and terrifying) rookie mistake.

4. Lake Como Specifics

• Invasive Species (The Clean/Drain/Dry Rule): Lake Como has strict protections. Ensure your boat is bone-dry and free of weeds. Some regatta venues now require a signed declaration that the boat hasn't been in "contaminated" waters in the last 30 days.

• Launching: Public slipways on Como are rare and often very narrow/steep. Most regattas use a crane or a specific club ramp. Contact the XYZ Sailing Club (or your specific host) to ask if you need a lifting bridle—many Italian clubs will not launch you with a trolley if they are using a crane.

• Insurance (Italian Translation): Carry a copy of your boat's 3rd-party insurance certificate. If it doesn't have an Italian translation page, ask your insurer for one; Italian clubs often require this for regatta registration.

Summary Checklist

ItemRequirement

Swiss Vignettes2x (Car + Trailer)

Warning PlateRigid Aluminum (Red/White stripes)

Towing MirrorsMandatory if trailer is wider than car

Trailer SparesSpare wheel, bearings, and light board bulbs

Advice from those who have done it

Swiss e-vignette

You can buy the Swiss e-vignette online here: https://vignetteswitzerland.com/ it's the official site.

Route

The Gotthard Tunnel can get very busy especially at weekends on both sides, so be prepared for an unexpected queue at a series of traffic lights leading up to the tunnel that control the traffic flow. Having used the tunnel route, I now favour crossing the Alps via Chur and the Julier Pass, it's a beautiful route, not so busy, the roads are excellent, and you approach Lake Como from the north. And the Italian border is not so busy either!