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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Ocean towing

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/13/2016 : 15:12:04

Yesterday while underway from Chemainus to Telegraph Cove a mere distance of about 5nm, the 8hp Honda quit after stuttering a bit.
The way is stopped sounded like a gas problem. Sure enough a spot of dirt was sucked up from the tank, removed from the motor intake and voila, it ran fine again. We're considering installing now a fuel filter. Any suggestions?

It makes us think of the question of having to tow the boat for longer distances, through choppy water, etc. Question is where and how would you connect a tow line, how long should the tow-rope be and if you have experience at what speed.

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2016 : 16:05:55

I installed this Racor some time ago: Racor fuel / water separator. I mounted it on the starboard side of the fuel locker on the outside so it can be drained easily or the filter replaced.

As far as towing, I'd think you'd want to be several boat lengths back from the towing boat and at a distance that put you on the down slope of the wake to minimize the strain on the line. You'll want to make sure that you can easily release the towing line at your discretion, not the towing boat's. I've read about taking wrapping lines around the mast and then up through the cleat(s) on the bow, but I'm not so sure that's a great idea. Maybe if our masts were keel stepped & not deck stepped.

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2016 : 11:48:54

A commercial co. like TOWBOAT US will generally tie you to the stern quarter with fenders in good conditions. On a line, you generally want a multiple of the wave period of at least two. There is a risk of fouling the prop if the tower is climbing a wave and the towee is sliding down the face of its wave and the line goes slack. A bridle to both bow cleats and a central ring to attach the towline with a slipped bowline is a secure approach.

edit: I have a Sierra filter that is essentially the same as a Racor and there are probably the good brands. I mounted it on the transom in the fuel locker towards midship. It worked well until I replaced one of my tanks and no longer have clearance for 2 three gallon tanks. I'll be moving it to the cockpit transom soon.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

Edited by - Dave5041 on 07/15/2016 12:00:03

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2016 : 12:35:10

Ive been towed twice in my lifetime by SeaTow. I have their insurance. They are very professional and will hook you up properly for the conditions. If it's a fairly long tow they will pull you and when you get close to the Destination they will then switch to a hip tow tied to his side so he can control the two boats as one. The tow line is on a reel and he will adjust the length of the line for the best possible ride. They tow you very slow and all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Uh

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Edited by - islander on 07/15/2016 12:38:37

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2016 : 13:48:43

I second the recommendation for a commercial service, and have a subscription with TowBoatUS (Vessel Assist in some areas). On open water, conventional wisdom is 25' boat should be on at least a 200' tow line. While most of us only have an anchor rode that long, it's not a great idea for a tow line because twisted nylon can stretch such that if it breaks, it can be explosively dangerous to people on either end. Commercial towers use a heavy multiple-braid line and, of course, know how to attach it the best way for the situation. Just make sure, when the assistance arrives, that you and they are in agreement as to whether it's a simple tow or a salvage.

I've never had to use their services in the 17 years or so I've had the contract (KNOCKING ON WOOD), but knowing they're there is worth it.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2016 : 10:52:14

Thank you guys for the recommendations and advice. Probably the best point to hook up to for towing is the boat's bow's trailer strap eye. It should be able to take a lot of strain and pounding.

By the way we did purchase and installed a West Marine $15.00 in-line fuel filter to eliminate impurities

A little over halfway of our 2 month long Gulf Island meandering we are on the point of heading north towards Desolation Sound. But first we plan to go up the Fraser river past New Westminster and exit out of the north arm of the Fraser river toward Gibson in the strait of Georgia.

Edited by - zeil on 07/22/2016 11:22:40

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2016 : 13:21:02

A consideration regarding the bow eye: The tow line should be easy to disengage very quickly from either end, even if by cutting. The bow eye might make it difficult to reach and unhook or untie from on board.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2016 : 15:43:22

Concluded that the bow eye is almost impossible to reach from the fore-deck and could be hazardous in rough seas.

Seams the best way is to prepare a bridle fastened on either side to the mooring line cleats.

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2016 : 04:04:45

Some people use the bridle concept to capture and pull the tow line through at the bow but to pull the attachment point of the tow line back to the mast. This is where they secure the tow line to the towed boat. The knot here is key - it should be secure, not subject to capsize and easy to untie in a hurry, not jam.
The bridle keeps the point of effort at the bow to stabilize pitch and yaw but puts the physical connection point of the tow line at the mast providing (1) connection to a very solid mounting point and (2) a convenient place to quickly disconnect the tow line in case it fouls.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2016 : 07:21:45

I'd feel better about using the mast if it was stepped on the keel--the C-25 tabernacle worries me for that kind of force. From what I recall when I removed and re-mounted it with a base plate for blocks, mine was held by two small lag screws and two smaller bolts with small washers--not as robust as cleats with backing plates. And the material is fairly thin sheet metal with a single bolt through the mast. With the combination of upper and lower shrouds and stays, I suspect the sailing forces are mostly straight down, and the whole rig drives the boat, so the design is adequate to hold the base in place (obviously). Putting all of the driving force at the tabernacle, including sudden forces from waves, and the tow boat possibly trying to exceed the sailboat's hull speed, worries me. I'm not as familiar with the one on the C-250.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/23/2016 07:26:40

Sailynn
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2016 : 23:40:38

the two bow cleats are rated for more pulling strength than a bow eye, and it would be way more difficult to un-tie from the bow eye. IMHO use the bow cleats and bridle line.

disconnect

Lynn Buchanan
1988 C25 SR/WK #5777
Sailynn
Nevada City, CA

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2016 : 08:09:49

Thanks for your input... After evaluating all points of attachments a bridle attached to the bow cleats seems to be the best solution. The mast tabernacle is indeed fine for vertical forces but doubtful for horizontal sheer forces. Considered attaching a line to the fore-stay bow stem but that does not seem a good idea either. So a bridle connected and easily removed, to the cleats it will be.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.