inflatable dinghy towing on 24' sailboat

[rmilavsky]

I have a 24' Oday with an outboard. I am thinking of buying an inexpensive inflatable dinghy for use maybe two-three times a season. I have read some of the threads. Is there any way of towing this practically without it flipping, sinking, etc? I am not sure how I could bring the bow of the inflatable up out of the water to my transom with the outboard....any suggestions?
Is brining it on board and deflating it the easier way to go?
Thanks
Ray

 

[sailaway78]

Lots of answers

You will more than likely get a ton of answers and opinions on this one. As to your primary question about towing without flipping it. Simple answer is most of the time. As long as it is reasonably calm you should have no problem with it flipping. If is it a really light weight one, you might put a couple of gallons of water in it for weight. Also, consider stashing it on deck somewhere. Most do this right in front of, or right behind the mast. When I have mine on deck it is in front of the mast, and if offshore, deflated and rolled up. Another idea, is to mount some towing eyes in the transom, assuming it is solid, just some small eye bolts to take the load, then make a bridle, running it through the towing eyes.

 

[caguy]

If you're going any distance putting it on the deck makes a big difference in your speed even while motoring. I could deflate it but filling from empty is a hassle. I deflate the keel and floor because they are low volume. I keep the pontoons soft on the truck because the high summer heat creates more pressure than I like even with the pressure release valve. I keep mine on my truck on top of a couple 1x4's. I am able to transfer it to the front deck easily. Down side is that it makes it difficult to see in crowded harbor. I mount the motor on my swim ladder.
When I do tow it I use a bridles that are attached my spring-line which is attached to the painter. This acts as a shock absorber to the D rings. I have never been able to find a spot where towing the boat reduces the load.

 

[kenn]

The inexpensive vinyl inflatables won't sink

If it's empty and flips... who cares? it probably wouldn't tow any different. If you have stuff in it, somehow secured to the dinghy floor, it would be a bit more stable, but then it would be a more noticeable towing load.

My friend bought a small inflatable from West Marine, and unless he's going just a short distance, he deflates the dinghy and stows it, which I think is the best option. If you're concerned about the hassle of inflation you could keep a 12v-powered inflator on board.

 

[zeehag]

on the west coast there are occasionally dinks found floating out in the ocean without owners anymore--the lines break while under tow conditions there--might be because of the strain on them and the higher swell we have there-----be aware of this so you donot lose yours--some folks tow with a cable instead of a rope line....

 

[HEINZIR]

Just flipping over is not so bad. It does pose more of a problem when the dink goes airborne. Kind of like adding a small spinnaker just when you should be reefing. I had this happen while crossing Death's Door passage off the Door County Peninsula in Lake Michigan. Gave up on towing the light plastic inflatable after that.

 

[Nereussailor]

towing

on the west coast there are occasionally dinks found floating out in the ocean without owners anymore--the lines break while under tow conditions there--might be because of the strain on them and the higher swell we have there-----be aware of this so you donot lose yours--some folks tow with a cable instead of a rope line....

We had a guy on the radio today calling about an inflatable floating in the channel. It wasn 't mine, thank god

 

[Capt. Kermie]

I tow mine sevral time a year and have never flipped it even in rough weather. I really hate towing because of the drag but I have no alternative. The engine weighs 60# so I must leave it on the dinghy transom. The dinghy weighs 80# so I don't like lifting it either. It is far too much effort to deflate and re-inflate every time I go on a trip so it stays inflated. I have a high pressure floor with an inflatble keel so it tows and tracks well enough but it still adds load on the big boat engine to the tune of 200 rpm to maintain the same speed as when not towing. I have a large inflatable, a 9'9" Titan with a 5' beam and 17" diameter tubes so it is unlikely to flip especially with the heavy 5hp outboard on the back and 10L gas tank sitting at the bow and the few other items I carry in it. My larger dink can carry more passengers (1100#) and is safer in choppy water but it is a bit of a bear to haul around, I think an 8'6" length would be easier to deal with but it may not have the same carrying capacity.

 

[rmilavsky]

So, I am not sure what your rec is....I have no motor on what i am thinking of buying....I am thinking about a 2 passenger dinghy that maybe the solution is to inflate and deflate the two-three times I am going to use.

 

[HEINZIR]

So, I am not sure what your rec is....I have no motor on what i am thinking of buying....I am thinking about a 2 passenger dinghy that maybe the solution is to inflate and deflate the two-three times I am going to use.

Yes, I think that is your best bet.