Towing a Dinghy with Outboard On

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Capt. Kermie

Capt. Kermie

.
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Too heavy!

At 60lbs it is just too big, heavy and awkward to take off the dinghy, easier and more convenient to leave it on. I like the suggestion of tying it tight to stay aligned with the dinghy while towing in the down position though, I'll have to try that sometime. I have seen dinghies being towed at considerable speeds by other boats and I have towed mine at 8-10 knots on occasion but it also requires closer attention. It is not such a problem in protected coastal water but I would not try it in the big rough stuff. It would take a fairly big wave to flip a dinghy methinks.
 
Capt. Kermie

Capt. Kermie

.
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Too heavy!

At 60lbs it is just too big, heavy and awkward to take off the dinghy, easier and more convenient to leave it on. I like the suggestion of tying it tight to stay aligned with the dinghy while towing in the down position though, I'll have to try that sometime. I have seen dinghies being towed at considerable speeds by other boats and I have towed mine at 8-10 knots on occasion but it also requires closer attention. It is not such a problem in protected coastal water but I would not try it in the big rough stuff. It would take a fairly big wave to flip a dinghy methinks.
 
Capt. Kermie

Capt. Kermie

.
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Too heavy!

At 60lbs it is just too big, heavy and awkward to take off the dinghy, easier and more convenient to leave it on. I like the suggestion of tying it tight to stay aligned with the dinghy while towing in the down position though, I'll have to try that sometime. I have seen dinghies being towed at considerable speeds by other boats and I have towed mine at 8-10 knots on occasion but it also requires closer attention. It is not such a problem in protected coastal water but I would not try it in the big rough stuff. It would take a fairly big wave to flip a dinghy methinks.
 
Capt. Kermie

Capt. Kermie

.
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Too heavy!

At 60lbs it is just too big, heavy and awkward to take off the dinghy, easier and more convenient to leave it on. I like the suggestion of tying it tight to stay aligned with the dinghy while towing in the down position though, I'll have to try that sometime. I have seen dinghies being towed at considerable speeds by other boats and I have towed mine at 8-10 knots on occasion but it also requires closer attention. It is not such a problem in protected coastal water but I would not try it in the big rough stuff. It would take a fairly big wave to flip a dinghy methinks.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
22,986
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
If the engine's too heavy

buy a lifting davit. Garhauer makes the least expensive and best one I know of, less than $200 with a 6:1 purchase, makes the others all look like toys. If the engine's 60# how the heck do you even get it on the dinghy in the first place?
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
22,986
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
If the engine's too heavy

buy a lifting davit. Garhauer makes the least expensive and best one I know of, less than $200 with a 6:1 purchase, makes the others all look like toys. If the engine's 60# how the heck do you even get it on the dinghy in the first place?
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
22,986
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
If the engine's too heavy

buy a lifting davit. Garhauer makes the least expensive and best one I know of, less than $200 with a 6:1 purchase, makes the others all look like toys. If the engine's 60# how the heck do you even get it on the dinghy in the first place?
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
22,986
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
If the engine's too heavy

buy a lifting davit. Garhauer makes the least expensive and best one I know of, less than $200 with a 6:1 purchase, makes the others all look like toys. If the engine's 60# how the heck do you even get it on the dinghy in the first place?
 
RichH

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Sure it can be done ......

But when the dinghy gets flipped uipside-down from an adverse wake who's to blame? Just think back when you were 'surprised' by a clear weather 'front' when the winds went from pleasant to 'boiling' in a matter of a few minutes. When its 'boiling' is no time to be hanging off a stern trying to save an upside-down dinghy with an attached OB. Just how fast can *you* strip an OB to prevent saltwater damage to a flooded combustion chamber, etc.? I used to routinely tow kayaks ... until one day the winds 'really' piped up and the kayaks went beyond their 'hull speed' and soon became unstable and turned into wonderful sea-anchors when they capsized/swamped (and the internal flotation loosened and then floated away). Took about 6 weeks for the ensuing bursitis to heal, the bursitis from overstraining my shoulder joints working the halyards, etc. trying to wrestle the water-filled sunken kayaks back onboard. I learned my 'lesson' .... Now, its either "on the foredeck or hanging in davits when inshore/coastal". :)
 
RichH

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Sure it can be done ......

But when the dinghy gets flipped uipside-down from an adverse wake who's to blame? Just think back when you were 'surprised' by a clear weather 'front' when the winds went from pleasant to 'boiling' in a matter of a few minutes. When its 'boiling' is no time to be hanging off a stern trying to save an upside-down dinghy with an attached OB. Just how fast can *you* strip an OB to prevent saltwater damage to a flooded combustion chamber, etc.? I used to routinely tow kayaks ... until one day the winds 'really' piped up and the kayaks went beyond their 'hull speed' and soon became unstable and turned into wonderful sea-anchors when they capsized/swamped (and the internal flotation loosened and then floated away). Took about 6 weeks for the ensuing bursitis to heal, the bursitis from overstraining my shoulder joints working the halyards, etc. trying to wrestle the water-filled sunken kayaks back onboard. I learned my 'lesson' .... Now, its either "on the foredeck or hanging in davits when inshore/coastal". :)
 
RichH

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Sure it can be done ......

But when the dinghy gets flipped uipside-down from an adverse wake who's to blame? Just think back when you were 'surprised' by a clear weather 'front' when the winds went from pleasant to 'boiling' in a matter of a few minutes. When its 'boiling' is no time to be hanging off a stern trying to save an upside-down dinghy with an attached OB. Just how fast can *you* strip an OB to prevent saltwater damage to a flooded combustion chamber, etc.? I used to routinely tow kayaks ... until one day the winds 'really' piped up and the kayaks went beyond their 'hull speed' and soon became unstable and turned into wonderful sea-anchors when they capsized/swamped (and the internal flotation loosened and then floated away). Took about 6 weeks for the ensuing bursitis to heal, the bursitis from overstraining my shoulder joints working the halyards, etc. trying to wrestle the water-filled sunken kayaks back onboard. I learned my 'lesson' .... Now, its either "on the foredeck or hanging in davits when inshore/coastal". :)
 
RichH

RichH

.
Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Sure it can be done ......

But when the dinghy gets flipped uipside-down from an adverse wake who's to blame? Just think back when you were 'surprised' by a clear weather 'front' when the winds went from pleasant to 'boiling' in a matter of a few minutes. When its 'boiling' is no time to be hanging off a stern trying to save an upside-down dinghy with an attached OB. Just how fast can *you* strip an OB to prevent saltwater damage to a flooded combustion chamber, etc.? I used to routinely tow kayaks ... until one day the winds 'really' piped up and the kayaks went beyond their 'hull speed' and soon became unstable and turned into wonderful sea-anchors when they capsized/swamped (and the internal flotation loosened and then floated away). Took about 6 weeks for the ensuing bursitis to heal, the bursitis from overstraining my shoulder joints working the halyards, etc. trying to wrestle the water-filled sunken kayaks back onboard. I learned my 'lesson' .... Now, its either "on the foredeck or hanging in davits when inshore/coastal". :)
 
Seattle Scott

Seattle Scott

.
May 6, 2004
916
Hunter 37C Seattle
I tow with OB on dink

When towing, I reverse the OB on the dink transom so the shaft/prop sits inside the dink. Its 3/4 horse 2 cycle maybe 30 lbs so pretty easy to flip around on the transome
 
Seattle Scott

Seattle Scott

.
May 6, 2004
916
Hunter 37C Seattle
I tow with OB on dink

When towing, I reverse the OB on the dink transom so the shaft/prop sits inside the dink. Its 3/4 horse 2 cycle maybe 30 lbs so pretty easy to flip around on the transome
 
Seattle Scott

Seattle Scott

.
May 6, 2004
916
Hunter 37C Seattle
I tow with OB on dink

When towing, I reverse the OB on the dink transom so the shaft/prop sits inside the dink. Its 3/4 horse 2 cycle maybe 30 lbs so pretty easy to flip around on the transome
 
Seattle Scott

Seattle Scott

.
May 6, 2004
916
Hunter 37C Seattle
I tow with OB on dink

When towing, I reverse the OB on the dink transom so the shaft/prop sits inside the dink. Its 3/4 horse 2 cycle maybe 30 lbs so pretty easy to flip around on the transome
 
Alan

Alan

.
Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Whenever

...I would take my dink, the outboard would be kicked up and the bow of the dink drawn up into the swim platform. This keeps drag to a minimum and keeps the dink out of the boats wake. In effect the dink becomes part of the boat and you can control your boat without concern for the dink.
 
Alan

Alan

.
Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Whenever

...I would take my dink, the outboard would be kicked up and the bow of the dink drawn up into the swim platform. This keeps drag to a minimum and keeps the dink out of the boats wake. In effect the dink becomes part of the boat and you can control your boat without concern for the dink.
 
Alan

Alan

.
Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Whenever

...I would take my dink, the outboard would be kicked up and the bow of the dink drawn up into the swim platform. This keeps drag to a minimum and keeps the dink out of the boats wake. In effect the dink becomes part of the boat and you can control your boat without concern for the dink.
 
Alan

Alan

.
Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Whenever

...I would take my dink, the outboard would be kicked up and the bow of the dink drawn up into the swim platform. This keeps drag to a minimum and keeps the dink out of the boats wake. In effect the dink becomes part of the boat and you can control your boat without concern for the dink.
 
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