S.V.Arlie: towing a dinghy...

[Uncle Duke]

On another thread, Jamie mentioned that he was told:
a new way to tow a dinghy which I had not thought of. After explaining the method though, I did say to myself "Duh".
So, Jamie - what is it? Inquiring minds want to know!

[S.V. Airlie]

Hard to explain without diagrams.. as Chuck showed me.. Ya going to Annapolis for the EBS?

[Uncle Duke]

Saturday 21st? 17:00 hours?
I think I'll make that - is a location set yet? (I've been gone for a week or so, so I'm somewhat out of touch....)
edited to add: Davis' in Eastport, apparently....

[Ian McColgin]

Whilest I thoroughly disapprove of towing a dink, Marmalade's small size makes that a rather frequent happening. Please let's have a diagram.

My own pet method is - let's say we're to tow off the starboard quarter - to take a little strain of the painter with a line from the dink's port quarter. This will twitch her out a tad and she won't surge into the big boat's transom in a following sea.

G'luck

[paladin]

Basically what I dunn showed Jamie wuz threading a bridle through fairleads near the bow and down about 2/3rds of the way with the ends terminated near the transom so that the strain of the painter bridle is pushing (pulling) from the stern, taking the strain from the bow, so that you don't tear the dink apart if she fills with water...and to stuff a couple of inflateable fenders inside to keep her afloat....

[John B]

I've towed my dinghies for the last 20 odd years in some pretty rough coastal conditions. I normally just have 2 painters,( on seperate eyes), one to each quarter of the boat. That dampens the yawing.

[S.V. Airlie]

Thanks Chuck. I was gonna bring a pencil and a piece of paper to the EBS...:D

[Dave Hadfield]

I've towed everywhere too -- an 8ft Bolger Elegant Punt (flat bottom with a lot of rocker), and a 10 footer with a little deadrise in the forward half. In 17 years of cruising the Great Lakes (including Superior), I've never had either of these fill. As for hitting the towing vessel, I just let out more line.

It's amazing to see a dry floor in one of these tenders after spending all day in 7ft waves and gusty winds, but it's the norm.

Important Point -- the towing ring/staple/hook MUST be low down, near the waterline, NOT up at the shearline/breasthook. Makes all the difference in the world. And the boat must be light for her size.