Almost finished building my hard pram dingy. Never really thought much about the proper (and safe) towing technique. How long is your towing line? Do you use a double line, one for each side to reduce side to side drift and overturning? Any ideas appreciated.....Gary
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Dinghy
Nice looking dink. I tow my Minto sailing dingy with a single line about 5-6 feet off of the stern. This lifts the bow a little bit and it seems to plane better. Also keeps it out of any wave action. It doesn't seem to bounce around much in this position. When sailing, I usually drop it back further so it doesn't try to catch up to and smack the boat.
Nice looking dink. I tow my Minto sailing dingy with a single line about 5-6 feet off of the stern. This lifts the bow a little bit and it seems to plane better. Also keeps it out of any wave action. It doesn't seem to bounce around much in this position. When sailing, I usually drop it back further so it doesn't try to catch up to and smack the boat.
Towing the Dinghy
Let out about 15' of towing line, until the dinghy is behind the crest of the first swell you've created by your yacht's wake. That's a nice, stable position and will keep the dink from running forward and kissing your transom. Making up a bridle for the dinghy is a good idea, if you have the hard points on the dink to accept a split towing line. The ones I see run from a stern cleat, then typically split about 8–10 feet in front of the dinghy.
Let out about 15' of towing line, until the dinghy is behind the crest of the first swell you've created by your yacht's wake. That's a nice, stable position and will keep the dink from running forward and kissing your transom. Making up a bridle for the dinghy is a good idea, if you have the hard points on the dink to accept a split towing line. The ones I see run from a stern cleat, then typically split about 8–10 feet in front of the dinghy.
Bow Eye reinforcement
Can't tell from the photo but you will want to reinforce the bow eye if you intend to tow a lot. They take quite a beating at times. Also consider a towing bridal. Basically a loop of line that goes completely around the dink and pulls it from the rear. Use polypropylene line as it floats and does not get wrapped around the prop shaft. I tried the "make it ride the first/second wave of your wake" recommendation. The problem I ran into is that if there is any kind of wave action I can't even see my wake. I found that you have to just experiment each time you go out. With that said, I find that heaving the line to someone on a dock or a boat is when I need the most line. 50' works for me. Nice job on the fillets.
Can't tell from the photo but you will want to reinforce the bow eye if you intend to tow a lot. They take quite a beating at times. Also consider a towing bridal. Basically a loop of line that goes completely around the dink and pulls it from the rear. Use polypropylene line as it floats and does not get wrapped around the prop shaft. I tried the "make it ride the first/second wave of your wake" recommendation. The problem I ran into is that if there is any kind of wave action I can't even see my wake. I found that you have to just experiment each time you go out. With that said, I find that heaving the line to someone on a dock or a boat is when I need the most line. 50' works for me. Nice job on the fillets.
Tow That Dink!
I have been dragging a hard dink around for 20 years. What I have settled on is two 3/8 20' cheap dock lines with small water ski floats on each and with large-ish brass snap shackles on the end. I adjust the length so it runs on the first stern wave. Each line is independent and attached to the D-ring. I find towing it slightly off one side or the other is best. Only once have I ever had to make an adjustment, and that in about 15' following seas. Then, I just took each line and attached an additional 20' dock line and all was well, altho I think she sailed about twice the distance as the mother ship! Whan I approach my mooring (or slip), I just haul the dink in close to the stern. I even back up with it and just let the transom push her back. The floats are there 'just in case' and will keep the line from sinking into your prop (if you've been good and eaten all your vegi's
. Anyhow, works for me. Rick D.
I have been dragging a hard dink around for 20 years. What I have settled on is two 3/8 20' cheap dock lines with small water ski floats on each and with large-ish brass snap shackles on the end. I adjust the length so it runs on the first stern wave. Each line is independent and attached to the D-ring. I find towing it slightly off one side or the other is best. Only once have I ever had to make an adjustment, and that in about 15' following seas. Then, I just took each line and attached an additional 20' dock line and all was well, altho I think she sailed about twice the distance as the mother ship! Whan I approach my mooring (or slip), I just haul the dink in close to the stern. I even back up with it and just let the transom push her back. The floats are there 'just in case' and will keep the line from sinking into your prop (if you've been good and eaten all your vegi's
. Anyhow, works for me. Rick D.Great Ideas!!
That's what I was needing, just some techniques that were working for you guys. I'll now experiment and see what works for me. Thanks much.....Gary
That's what I was needing, just some techniques that were working for you guys. I'll now experiment and see what works for me. Thanks much.....Gary
snubber
Gary..to add to the advice, after years of pulling a hard dinghy off the port or starboard stern, I made a bridle that allowed the dinghy to be towed in the center. The balance was better, as the mother ship broke some of the bigger waves. I also attached a snubber in the line from the bridle to the bow ring of the dinghy. This cushioned the shock from the line to the dinghy. When you are going astern after setting an anchor, watch out for the little guy that he doesn't hit your stern. Some people pad the bow of the dinghy with a foam noodle or something until they master a technique. Enjoy !!
Gary..to add to the advice, after years of pulling a hard dinghy off the port or starboard stern, I made a bridle that allowed the dinghy to be towed in the center. The balance was better, as the mother ship broke some of the bigger waves. I also attached a snubber in the line from the bridle to the bow ring of the dinghy. This cushioned the shock from the line to the dinghy. When you are going astern after setting an anchor, watch out for the little guy that he doesn't hit your stern. Some people pad the bow of the dinghy with a foam noodle or something until they master a technique. Enjoy !!
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