Will towing a jet ski effect the steeriing or handling of the 25 footer. Also will a 3hp outboard be enough to move the boat out of the harbour with no moving current. Thanks for any help. DAle
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Don Evans
Don't Combine The 2
Dale, I hope your not thinking of towing your jet ski, using a 3h.p outboard on the back of your 25? Under calm conditions a 3 hp will move the boat about 2 knots. Add in any head wind, chop, currents or tide, you may reduce that to less than a crawl. Add a towed jetski into the mix and you could be going backwards. I lose about 1 knot in boatspeed (5 to 4)on my 25 (10 hp) when towing a dinghy. My fear here is that you may need a reserve of power, not available, to get you out of harms way. As far as steering your 25, I should think a jetski tows as well as an anchor. It could also be wandering all over the place, unless you set up a double bridle. Sorry for sounding so negative, but the combination doesn't add up in my opinion. Don
Dale, I hope your not thinking of towing your jet ski, using a 3h.p outboard on the back of your 25? Under calm conditions a 3 hp will move the boat about 2 knots. Add in any head wind, chop, currents or tide, you may reduce that to less than a crawl. Add a towed jetski into the mix and you could be going backwards. I lose about 1 knot in boatspeed (5 to 4)on my 25 (10 hp) when towing a dinghy. My fear here is that you may need a reserve of power, not available, to get you out of harms way. As far as steering your 25, I should think a jetski tows as well as an anchor. It could also be wandering all over the place, unless you set up a double bridle. Sorry for sounding so negative, but the combination doesn't add up in my opinion. Don
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Steve Growcock
towing and motor response
I suspect towing anything under sail will affect boat handling. Re: 3 HP Motor. A friend of mine uses a high-end electric trolling motor, rather than a gas engine, to move about in his 19 ft Com-Pac. It works well for him and has successfully pulled others to free their larger boats grounded on some shallows - much to their surprise. The engine's silence and lack of maintenance is noteworthy. Personally, I have a 7.5 HP Merc. It works well for me, however I would prefer to a 10 HP with a long shaft. Certainly the boat won't plane, however I like the peace of mind of having the muscle if and when I need it. 3 Hp may be OK in the harbor no wake zone, however if a motor is needed to get you back to the breakwater under bare poles with a 30 knot crosswind, I would prefer the security of a beefier engine. Steve Growcock
I suspect towing anything under sail will affect boat handling. Re: 3 HP Motor. A friend of mine uses a high-end electric trolling motor, rather than a gas engine, to move about in his 19 ft Com-Pac. It works well for him and has successfully pulled others to free their larger boats grounded on some shallows - much to their surprise. The engine's silence and lack of maintenance is noteworthy. Personally, I have a 7.5 HP Merc. It works well for me, however I would prefer to a 10 HP with a long shaft. Certainly the boat won't plane, however I like the peace of mind of having the muscle if and when I need it. 3 Hp may be OK in the harbor no wake zone, however if a motor is needed to get you back to the breakwater under bare poles with a 30 knot crosswind, I would prefer the security of a beefier engine. Steve Growcock
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Josh
Dingy vs. Jetski?
Don, if you tow a dingy, I would think the jetski wouldn't cause any more or less trouble then that. They make some really small dingies, and rather large jetski's though. You'd have to take into account the size of the dingy and the jetski, but two of equal weight and draft would create about the same amount of drag. Don is probably right that the 3hp is too weak to push all that. Of course, if you've got a jetski, why not use that to pull the boat out of the harbor??? A good question is why do you want to haul the jetski? Are you just using it to get out to your boat like a dingy? Or do you want to haul it around with you to use when you get where you are going? If you are using it as a dingy to get out to a boat thats on a mooring, you'd be better off actually buying a small dingy. Then, use the 3hp on the dingy, and get yourself something at least three times as large for the sailboat. Josh
Don, if you tow a dingy, I would think the jetski wouldn't cause any more or less trouble then that. They make some really small dingies, and rather large jetski's though. You'd have to take into account the size of the dingy and the jetski, but two of equal weight and draft would create about the same amount of drag. Don is probably right that the 3hp is too weak to push all that. Of course, if you've got a jetski, why not use that to pull the boat out of the harbor??? A good question is why do you want to haul the jetski? Are you just using it to get out to your boat like a dingy? Or do you want to haul it around with you to use when you get where you are going? If you are using it as a dingy to get out to a boat thats on a mooring, you'd be better off actually buying a small dingy. Then, use the 3hp on the dingy, and get yourself something at least three times as large for the sailboat. Josh
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Ben Bishop
Trick question
This is a trick question. Written by a moron to trick other morons into answering.
This is a trick question. Written by a moron to trick other morons into answering.
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Don Evans
Josh, my response was based on watching a father and son towing their jet ski behind a run-a-bout. It was quite comical actually. They had a single bridle and the thing would track every which way but straight. My 8' dinghy weighs 65 lbs, and has a substantial keelson which allows it to track like an arrow. I don't know squat about jet ski's but they have to weigh at least 3 times my dinghy. That weight is gonna be like an anchor, I would think. To Ben, thanks for your enlightened opinion. Don
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DAle
Thank you
Iam jsut a new owner and do not want to make any big misatkes so thanks for the good advice.
Iam jsut a new owner and do not want to make any big misatkes so thanks for the good advice.
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Steve Growcock
To Dale of Tampa
Dale: Good luck to you on your new 25 footer. I hope you find it as rewarding as it does to us. I encourage you to continue posting your questions. I recently sailed with a friend of mine who is 74 years old and has been sailing since a teenager. He commented to me that every time he goes sailing he learns something new. Steve!
Dale: Good luck to you on your new 25 footer. I hope you find it as rewarding as it does to us. I encourage you to continue posting your questions. I recently sailed with a friend of mine who is 74 years old and has been sailing since a teenager. He commented to me that every time he goes sailing he learns something new. Steve!
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