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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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towing the dinghy

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/23/2007 : 15:20:17

Just wondering how far people generally trail the inflatable. I won't be in the ocean, this is a icw cruise and don't expect anything but a light chop. Thanks-

Dave Robbins
PO to*Bamboo*
'89 SR/WK #5877
Daytona Bch., FL

http://bambooc25.weebly.com/

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2007 : 15:48:23

Dave, I use 4 Meters of 8mm towing rope and am in the ocean with the motor attached to transom. I have towed to Catalina Island in SoCal, about 30 miles from home. Hope that is what you wanted.
Steve

Edited by - piseas on 10/23/2007 15:51:13

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2007 : 15:59:47

I tow my Zodiac just far enough astern that it will not hit the propeller when my OB is tilted. About 2 Meters back (6 ft)

I had a near disaster the first time I towed it. I had it too far astern. I turned into my slip and the zodiac turned on a different arc than the C25. The Zodiac got hung up on a dock, then shot straight up into the air, nearly taking out some innocent bystanders.

I usually have the tow line (painter) tied off to the port stern cleat.(opposite side as my OB)
If I'm in a situation where I will be maneuvering, I will usually tie it off to the top middle of the stern rail (pushpit) so that the line clears the top of the OB when the boat turns.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2007 : 16:05:25

Dave,
We tow on 3/8" poly line with our 10' Avon back about a boat length. I try to get the Avon on the "downslope" of my standing wave if I can. So far we've only towed maybe six miles or so each time in Puget Sound, pretty much uneventfully with the exception of catching a large semi-submerged beam & dragging it for a few hundred yards on one of our returns. This was after we hit it with the boat first, never saw it coming and it thumped the boat pretty good, but no obvious damage. We weren't moving very fast, so it was a low energy impact. Bet I find some scratches where it hit though when we pull it for the winter.

We haven't tried it yet with the outboard attached (see my rant about repair shops in the general forum).

Per Stampeder's post, we will adjust the painter when we're in a maneuvering or anchoring situation, and we keep it tied off on the aft port cleat. When we're coming into or leaving the marina, I'll have it snugged up against the port side rear, then let it out to the boat length or so after we're clear. The very first time we anchored we tried very hard to wrap the painter around the prop, fortunately with no success, so we learned our lesson the easy way.

Edited by - delliottg on 10/23/2007 16:13:20

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2007 : 22:01:04

Thanks Guys, Good info. I think I'll keep the outboard on Bamboo until I drop the hook Friday night. And David, you haven't got that motor back yet? Wow!

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David Scott
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2007 : 15:29:07

I have towed a dingy in ICW and in others places and suggest towing it at various lengths for specific conditions,generally 6-15ft behind boat with no outboard on dingy. Heavy winds and rough seas dictate close monitoring and making adjustments. A Floatable tow line is very important as mentioned earlier to prevent prop wrap.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2007 : 08:43:35

Well, I got back late Sunday from my 3 day, 2 night'er and the dinghy did great. I kind of messed around with different lengths and ended up about 12 to 15 ft of rope. Watched it deal with large wakes from other boats the first day to be sure it was steady and even left my 2.5 Suzuki on it the second and 3rd day. Will have a post on the trip with some pics in a few days.

Edited by - DaveR on 10/30/2007 08:44:33

Bob Jack
1st Mate

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USA
58 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2007 : 17:38:23

Hi Dave...Saw your post...
"Will have a post on the trip with some pics in a few days."

We're gonna hold ya to it...Those of us that didn't get to go sailing all week end need it bad...
Bob

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bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2007 : 19:15:49

Every time I see this topic heading I chuckle. It seems like 'towing the dingy' is along the lines of 'spanking the monkey'. I hope no one is offended by my sophomoric sense of humor :)

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2007 : 21:51:15

hahahahaha, never thought of it that way but would have if it were someone else's post. And Bob, I'll have pics and a utube video or 3!

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2007 : 17:44:45

Dave, glad you had great time. RE motor for dinghy, where did you mount it? Any problems putting on or off transom of dinghy? I leave mine on primarliy due to weight(55lbd) cuz I have a bad left shoulder and right wrist. Never had any close calls with that, luckily.
Steve

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2007 : 20:14:33

Steve,
Are you asking where I mounted the dinghy on Bamboo? I had to keep it in the cabin because the ladder is on one side of the transom and Bamboo's outboard is on the other. As far as putting it on the inflatable, it wasn't to bad. My 8' Quicksilver is a lot steadier than I thought it would be. I can stand up in it easily, although when I had the Suzuki in hand I was on my knees. It only weighs 30 lbs., so it went on and off the transom with little effort, although you have to leave the screws nice and loose when taking it off or it's a lot more difficult. I think the 55 lb'er would be a totally different cat though

Edited by - DaveR on 11/01/2007 20:17:03

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2007 : 00:50:15

I have to jump in too but not into the dingy. I elected to go with a hard dingy, 8' Livingston, and leave the outboard on it. I use a bridle type tie to reduce the swinging and a loop at the tied end so I can slip it over and off easily. Have learned by losing it for a while when it slipped off the cleat (before using a loop). It now has a 9.8 hp Mercury and it takes me quickly to most places. I tie the oars, gas tank, crab-pot and basket of line as far forward as possible and tow. It is not stored on board but only weighs 70lb empty with folding wheels that allows me to move it like a wheelbarrow. It's a 1980 Livingston.

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