Coast Guard recommends carrying at least 200 feet of rope in case my boat would need a tow. It seems like a good idea and as much as I have spent on the boat already $100 or more for an additional low tech safety device is easy enough to swallow. We have a hunter 340. What type, nylon, poly, etc; rope is strong enough to pull our boat through the water? I would imagine the wider the rope the stronger it would be. Would appreciate some input. Chris/ Festina Tarde
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IT DOSEN'T TAKE MUCH
A 1/2 ROPE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH AS IT DOSEN'T TAKE A LOT TO PULL A BOAT IN THE WATER. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE TO HAVE A STRONG TIE OFF POINT. AS FOR THE KIND OF ROPE, I WOULD GO FOR ONE OF THE POLY ROPES. THE PRICE IS CHEAPER, IT IS NOT HEAVY AND WILL NOT ROT IF IT GET'S WET IN STORAGE.
A 1/2 ROPE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH AS IT DOSEN'T TAKE A LOT TO PULL A BOAT IN THE WATER. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE TO HAVE A STRONG TIE OFF POINT. AS FOR THE KIND OF ROPE, I WOULD GO FOR ONE OF THE POLY ROPES. THE PRICE IS CHEAPER, IT IS NOT HEAVY AND WILL NOT ROT IF IT GET'S WET IN STORAGE.
rode size
your towing rope should be the same size/quality/strength as the rope portion of your anchor rode. chafing becomes a huge problem if you're talking about longer tows, especially something in excess of 20 miles. down in Baja, a few years back, i had to use my own tow line to pull someone else about 30 miles to the nearest anchorage. That tow was enough to absolutely ruin a brand-new spare anchor rode, which I insisted at the outset that the towee would have to replace. He gladly did so, and threw in a case of coronas to boot. Anyway, most cruisers carry a spare three-strand nylon rode in the 200-250 foot range that can be used as a tow line and which can also be used to trail warps. There seems to be an unwritten rule that the people who need tows never seem to have an adequate tow line, while the people with adequate tow lines never seem to need a tow. Yes?
your towing rope should be the same size/quality/strength as the rope portion of your anchor rode. chafing becomes a huge problem if you're talking about longer tows, especially something in excess of 20 miles. down in Baja, a few years back, i had to use my own tow line to pull someone else about 30 miles to the nearest anchorage. That tow was enough to absolutely ruin a brand-new spare anchor rode, which I insisted at the outset that the towee would have to replace. He gladly did so, and threw in a case of coronas to boot. Anyway, most cruisers carry a spare three-strand nylon rode in the 200-250 foot range that can be used as a tow line and which can also be used to trail warps. There seems to be an unwritten rule that the people who need tows never seem to have an adequate tow line, while the people with adequate tow lines never seem to need a tow. Yes?
Go with poly
Tow rope should be poly. Why?? because if nylon should happen to break, with maybe a cleat still attached to the end, it would slingshot and could seriously hurt someone if hit. Poly is much safer if breaking did occur. Roc
Tow rope should be poly. Why?? because if nylon should happen to break, with maybe a cleat still attached to the end, it would slingshot and could seriously hurt someone if hit. Poly is much safer if breaking did occur. Roc
tow ropes
Both of the USCGAUX patrol boats that I have been on use 200' of polypropalyene line for long tows and three strand braid nylon for alongside tows. All lines are 1/2 inch size and in the long tow config. use towing bridles. This is standard operational procedure. I will also mention one other point and that is poly line floats and is less likely to foul a prop. That could sure ruin your day and put a big bite on your wallet if that were to happen. That is also why skiers use the yellow poly line for tow ropes .
Both of the USCGAUX patrol boats that I have been on use 200' of polypropalyene line for long tows and three strand braid nylon for alongside tows. All lines are 1/2 inch size and in the long tow config. use towing bridles. This is standard operational procedure. I will also mention one other point and that is poly line floats and is less likely to foul a prop. That could sure ruin your day and put a big bite on your wallet if that were to happen. That is also why skiers use the yellow poly line for tow ropes .
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