I own a H340 and we recently purchased a Zodiac 310 inflatable dingy and an 8hp motor. It's a lot of fun for getting around within our Marina, keeps my friend's 15yr old son occupied, etc. It has the 5 pc slat bottom. We also plan on towing it with us for week-end and week-long coatal cruises in lake Michigan. Since storage aboard on a 34' boat would be a problem, we plan on towing the dink and motor. I was wondering if I could be offered advice/and or be steered to a source on dinghy towing, etc. Thanks much in advance for any input.
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Jim Ewing
Towing
Frank, I don't know of any specific sites on towing. You could check the archives here or at another web site. From my experience (my dinghy sounds similar to yours) I'd recommend the following: Don't tow it with the motor on. Too much additional weight, stress, cost of loss etc. Get a motor bracket and lift. Tow with some kind of bridle that makes sure you wont lose the dink if a fitting or bridle line breaks. Tow it on the back of your first stern wave. Towing position is debateable but I've found for us this is the driest place that is still close enough to keep the dink from swerving all over. If you're making a long passage (particularly at night) put the dinghy on the deck. It'll be secure there, won't slow you down and you won't look out at sunrise to see you're dragging a line no longer attached to the dink. I'm sure you'll get some other equally valid opinions as well. Jim "Prospect"
Frank, I don't know of any specific sites on towing. You could check the archives here or at another web site. From my experience (my dinghy sounds similar to yours) I'd recommend the following: Don't tow it with the motor on. Too much additional weight, stress, cost of loss etc. Get a motor bracket and lift. Tow with some kind of bridle that makes sure you wont lose the dink if a fitting or bridle line breaks. Tow it on the back of your first stern wave. Towing position is debateable but I've found for us this is the driest place that is still close enough to keep the dink from swerving all over. If you're making a long passage (particularly at night) put the dinghy on the deck. It'll be secure there, won't slow you down and you won't look out at sunrise to see you're dragging a line no longer attached to the dink. I'm sure you'll get some other equally valid opinions as well. Jim "Prospect"
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Debra Blatnik
Don't foul the prop!
This is the best advice. Happens going in reverse, when your attention is on not hitting the boat in the next slip. There is a type of rope that floats. (can't remember) I find this helps me keep an eye on it. (I'm not currently using it, but have found it on several charter boats.) It also helps to keep the painter short when going in reverse Otherwise get a good length of rope and tie a bowline to the towing eye.
This is the best advice. Happens going in reverse, when your attention is on not hitting the boat in the next slip. There is a type of rope that floats. (can't remember) I find this helps me keep an eye on it. (I'm not currently using it, but have found it on several charter boats.) It also helps to keep the painter short when going in reverse Otherwise get a good length of rope and tie a bowline to the towing eye.
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Bryce
towing dingy
Try clevel.com. They have a towing bridle that works great. Made from webbing and has a float to keep it above water. I use this bridle along with a bridle to the stern cleats. Remove the motor and go. Haven't had any problems in reverse. Can't see any noticable performance lost forward. Bryce H410
Try clevel.com. They have a towing bridle that works great. Made from webbing and has a float to keep it above water. I use this bridle along with a bridle to the stern cleats. Remove the motor and go. Haven't had any problems in reverse. Can't see any noticable performance lost forward. Bryce H410
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Rich Wallace
Speed Penalty For Towing A Dingy
We have a small dingy (8') which only weighs about 70 pounds without the motor. I have towed it and then loaded it aboard and the penalty for towing is about 3/4 of a knot even without the motor. (83 H34) Not much if you are only going a short distance, but on a long trip, it will add a lot to the overall elapsed time. As far as a bridle, I use a double bridle. One is hooked to the towing rings on either side of the front of the dingy. I also run a second one through those rings but the attach it to cleats mounted to the dingy transome. Then I adjust the two to pull tight at the same time so neither painter gets all of the strain. Before getting to anyplace that could possibly involve backing the boat, I pull the dingy up so short that the bow of the dingy is touching or even lifted up a little onto the transome. There is not danger of backing over the painter(s) and fouling the prop.
We have a small dingy (8') which only weighs about 70 pounds without the motor. I have towed it and then loaded it aboard and the penalty for towing is about 3/4 of a knot even without the motor. (83 H34) Not much if you are only going a short distance, but on a long trip, it will add a lot to the overall elapsed time. As far as a bridle, I use a double bridle. One is hooked to the towing rings on either side of the front of the dingy. I also run a second one through those rings but the attach it to cleats mounted to the dingy transome. Then I adjust the two to pull tight at the same time so neither painter gets all of the strain. Before getting to anyplace that could possibly involve backing the boat, I pull the dingy up so short that the bow of the dingy is touching or even lifted up a little onto the transome. There is not danger of backing over the painter(s) and fouling the prop.
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Carl and Juliana Dupre
We Tow......
....a 8'6" Zodiac inflatable-floor dink behind our H340. We use the C-Level towing bridel that Bryce mentioned; it's made of 1" polypropylene web, which floats, and it has an additional plastic float to make certain nothing gets down to your prop. For towing mode we tie a nylon towing line from the stern cleat on one side, through a ring on the end of the towing bridle, then back to the stern cleat on the other side. The dink rides very stable directly in the boat's wake. For mooring / anchor mode we drop the tow line to just one side. As others have noted, don't tow with the motor on the dink; just too much risk. Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
....a 8'6" Zodiac inflatable-floor dink behind our H340. We use the C-Level towing bridel that Bryce mentioned; it's made of 1" polypropylene web, which floats, and it has an additional plastic float to make certain nothing gets down to your prop. For towing mode we tie a nylon towing line from the stern cleat on one side, through a ring on the end of the towing bridle, then back to the stern cleat on the other side. The dink rides very stable directly in the boat's wake. For mooring / anchor mode we drop the tow line to just one side. As others have noted, don't tow with the motor on the dink; just too much risk. Carl and Jule s/v 'Syzygy'
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Dakota Jim Russell
340 w/9'6 West Marine special
Motor Mount: Edison has a pricy one that will last forever . . . and fits the 340 nicely. The 9'6" inflatable is usually towed behind on a relatively short floating line which prevents prop fowling. Works for Moorings on our charters in the Caribbean . . . . and here at home. On the other hand, in light wind, with a sailboat creeping up on me, I have hauled the bow of the inflatable above the swim platform tying it onto the rear pulpit . . . and if they continue to gain, or we're actually racing, I've been known to pull it athwardship across the swim platform. Both work, obviously hauling across the back gets it entirely out of the water. Friend with a 336 bought a Avon that rolls which he ties just foreward of the mast on the windshield (yuk), but each to his own poor ideas. Hope the above helped. Jim
Motor Mount: Edison has a pricy one that will last forever . . . and fits the 340 nicely. The 9'6" inflatable is usually towed behind on a relatively short floating line which prevents prop fowling. Works for Moorings on our charters in the Caribbean . . . . and here at home. On the other hand, in light wind, with a sailboat creeping up on me, I have hauled the bow of the inflatable above the swim platform tying it onto the rear pulpit . . . and if they continue to gain, or we're actually racing, I've been known to pull it athwardship across the swim platform. Both work, obviously hauling across the back gets it entirely out of the water. Friend with a 336 bought a Avon that rolls which he ties just foreward of the mast on the windshield (yuk), but each to his own poor ideas. Hope the above helped. Jim
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Terry Houwerzyl
Problems with towing
We tried to tow our inflatable with the motor on. All went well in the protected ships channel. When we turned into the bay and started motoring into the wind with very choppy conditions the dingy started to launch from the wave tops. When we turned around to get back in protected waters the line snapped and the dingy went upside down and drifed off to an island. We now carry the dingy strapped down on the deck, a little more work, but not as much as recovering the dingy from the island.
We tried to tow our inflatable with the motor on. All went well in the protected ships channel. When we turned into the bay and started motoring into the wind with very choppy conditions the dingy started to launch from the wave tops. When we turned around to get back in protected waters the line snapped and the dingy went upside down and drifed off to an island. We now carry the dingy strapped down on the deck, a little more work, but not as much as recovering the dingy from the island.
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Charlie Crews
Everything said before is valid
All the replies thus far offer great advice. I have a 37c in Hawaii and tow a dink. NEVER leave anything you want to see again in a towed dinghy - waves and wind have a nasty habit of flipping the dink over. I have also had the very bad luck of wrapping the tow line around the prop when backing down at anchorage - My boat bunny's primary job going to anchor is now to beat me in the head and remind me of the tow line. I agree with the dinghy riding the first stern wave, less tension on the tow rope and cleats - in Hawaii, we have had the dinghy pass us when it surfed a following wave. Another consideration I found is when my BB (boat bunny) fell overboard, she was able to grab the tow line and cling to the dinghy until I could pull her back to the swim ladder. Enjoy
All the replies thus far offer great advice. I have a 37c in Hawaii and tow a dink. NEVER leave anything you want to see again in a towed dinghy - waves and wind have a nasty habit of flipping the dink over. I have also had the very bad luck of wrapping the tow line around the prop when backing down at anchorage - My boat bunny's primary job going to anchor is now to beat me in the head and remind me of the tow line. I agree with the dinghy riding the first stern wave, less tension on the tow rope and cleats - in Hawaii, we have had the dinghy pass us when it surfed a following wave. Another consideration I found is when my BB (boat bunny) fell overboard, she was able to grab the tow line and cling to the dinghy until I could pull her back to the swim ladder. Enjoy
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John Richard
For Bryce: where did you put the motor?
I have a 2001 410 and am at a loss on where to install an outboard motor mount. There's no room on the arch. The lockers aren't wide enough for a 12.3 inch Honda 8.8. And, I agree that towing a dink with the motor attached would not be good. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
I have a 2001 410 and am at a loss on where to install an outboard motor mount. There's no room on the arch. The lockers aren't wide enough for a 12.3 inch Honda 8.8. And, I agree that towing a dink with the motor attached would not be good. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
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Bryce
motor mount
I bought the starboard dinghy motor mount from WM. Mounted it on the port stern rail between the arch and the seat. My old 8 hp Yamaha and my current Nissan 5hp fit fine. Hope this helps Bryce
I bought the starboard dinghy motor mount from WM. Mounted it on the port stern rail between the arch and the seat. My old 8 hp Yamaha and my current Nissan 5hp fit fine. Hope this helps Bryce
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