Widest tire on a '07 Suzuki Grand Vitara stock 17" rims

[RayIriz]

hi all, I have stock 17" rims about 7-7.5" wide. I been to several tire dealers (about 20) and they ALL tell me I can't put anything wider than stock 195/65/17(ended up with Geolander A/T's but I'm lookin to change them). I go surf-fishing on the beaches of Long Island,N.Y. and feel I'll have better handling with wider tires plus I feel these narrow tires would dig in too easy, and being that the beaches I go to are secluded I'd just feel better getting wider tires without haveing to get new rims or adding lift kits to it. on my cars I always went wider up to a 205 on an '98 accent, so I can't understand why would dealers not be willing to do the same for a 4x4 SUV. would appreciate any info