towing a dingy

[John]

What is a good size & type of dingy to tow behind a Catalina 25? We'll be cruising in open waters next summer between Maine and Cape Cod. I'm looking for a dingy that tracks straight, stays relatively dry and is the maximum size that's practical to tow behind a C25.

 

[Art]

Tow the dink?

I have owned amny sailboats from 45 to my present Catalina 22 and I only towed my dinghy when the leg of the trip I was on was less than 1-2 hours. You would loose so much in speed and in an emergency it could become a huge problem as you try to handle your boat and the dinghy at the same time. In addition if you will be coastal crusing and bad weather looks like it will get the better of you you are limited as to how fast you can get into a safe harbor towing a dink. That might put you and your crew at geater risk. I had a friend that always towed his dink behind his Cat-30. One time he was running for shelter and drifted out of the chanel, had to put the boat in reverse quickly and fouled his prop on the painter from the dinghy. The engine quit, he bumped the bottom at least a dozen times bent his rudderstock...you get the picture. For my piece of mind I would get a small hard dink like a trinka or an inflatable and lash it to the foredeck or rig some davits to get it out of the water.That's just my 2 and a half cents. Let me know what you decide. Good luck!!Art <)))><

 

[Dan]

How many people?

If only a couple, I suggest a sturdy inflatable kayak. Stow it when not needed. However, I've seen many people towing small, hard-bottom row boats. Of course, if you plan to use an outboard for dinghy power, a kayak is out.