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Secure it
It's been said that one should secure the dinghy if when ever possible. Towing it creates drag and problems in high winds. Just this weekend lots of dinghys were lost because they weren't secured properly when a thunderstorm came in. Many ways to secure it and which one is best depends on your boat, your dinghy, your outboard and how much you want to spend.
It's been said that one should secure the dinghy if when ever possible. Towing it creates drag and problems in high winds. Just this weekend lots of dinghys were lost because they weren't secured properly when a thunderstorm came in. Many ways to secure it and which one is best depends on your boat, your dinghy, your outboard and how much you want to spend.
Depends
Dan, We have a hard dinghy which we row almost all the time as opposed to using the 3.3 hp outboard which is mounted on our stern rail. We haul the dinghy out of the water using the spinnaker halyard and secure it on the foredeck for any long trips or any time we expect rough conditions. For shorter trips in relatively smooth waters, we will tow behind. We keep the painter/towing line very short in and out of anchorages/moorings/marinas to reduce the probability of fouling the painter on the prop. Once we hit open water we ease out the painter to let the dinghy ride more easily in our wake. Our hard dinghy tows very nicely with a minimum of drag. Our old inflatable created much more drag and didn't tow as well. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H37.5
Dan, We have a hard dinghy which we row almost all the time as opposed to using the 3.3 hp outboard which is mounted on our stern rail. We haul the dinghy out of the water using the spinnaker halyard and secure it on the foredeck for any long trips or any time we expect rough conditions. For shorter trips in relatively smooth waters, we will tow behind. We keep the painter/towing line very short in and out of anchorages/moorings/marinas to reduce the probability of fouling the painter on the prop. Once we hit open water we ease out the painter to let the dinghy ride more easily in our wake. Our hard dinghy tows very nicely with a minimum of drag. Our old inflatable created much more drag and didn't tow as well. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H37.5
3 ways
I have a 1985 H31 and have used a small hard shell row / sail for years. I've tried skiffs & inflatable but the hard shell is best for me. #1. In big seas and wind I store her upside down (turtle) on the fore deck, stern lashed to the mast, bow lashed to toe rail in a V pattern to not interfere with the anchor locker, and a large (2-3") ratchet strap across the belly anchored on the toe rail. I've got a lot of miles that way without it budging. The only down side is that I sail alone 95% of the time & I have no cleaver way to lift the dink. I have to watch the winds and get her on deck before things get above 35 knots or I might not get her up. #2. On calm days I'll tow the dink by eyelets mounted low, near the waterline on either side of the dink. I connect the eyelets with a short line that passes through a SS ring (2-3"). A longer line connects to the rear quarters of the H31 and also passes through the SS ring. This set-up allows the dink to slide side to side easier and find a natural pull point. I do not use this system very often in downwind conditions - the dink has a tendency to ram the H31 in following seas. #3. In harbor I put her on the stern to free up the forward hatch and keep the bottom of the dink clean. I use 2 flat fenders with a line tied between to protect the stern. I loop the fender rope around the 2 rear lifeline posts near the ladder. On the dink I mounted 4 eyelets inside, 2 forward & 2 aft, near the top of the gunnels. I then connected 4 light lines (2 long – 2 shorter) to those eyelets. I put the dink sideways against the stern fenders, tie off the 2 closest (shorter) lines on the rear quarters of the H31 and finally lift / pull the 2 outside (longer) lines until the dink passes 90 degrees and rests against the reverse transom. I secure the longer outside lines to the same rear quarter tie offs. Kurt Sears S/V KAI AKA 1985 Hunter 31 formerly Molokai, HI currently Martinez, CA
I have a 1985 H31 and have used a small hard shell row / sail for years. I've tried skiffs & inflatable but the hard shell is best for me. #1. In big seas and wind I store her upside down (turtle) on the fore deck, stern lashed to the mast, bow lashed to toe rail in a V pattern to not interfere with the anchor locker, and a large (2-3") ratchet strap across the belly anchored on the toe rail. I've got a lot of miles that way without it budging. The only down side is that I sail alone 95% of the time & I have no cleaver way to lift the dink. I have to watch the winds and get her on deck before things get above 35 knots or I might not get her up. #2. On calm days I'll tow the dink by eyelets mounted low, near the waterline on either side of the dink. I connect the eyelets with a short line that passes through a SS ring (2-3"). A longer line connects to the rear quarters of the H31 and also passes through the SS ring. This set-up allows the dink to slide side to side easier and find a natural pull point. I do not use this system very often in downwind conditions - the dink has a tendency to ram the H31 in following seas. #3. In harbor I put her on the stern to free up the forward hatch and keep the bottom of the dink clean. I use 2 flat fenders with a line tied between to protect the stern. I loop the fender rope around the 2 rear lifeline posts near the ladder. On the dink I mounted 4 eyelets inside, 2 forward & 2 aft, near the top of the gunnels. I then connected 4 light lines (2 long – 2 shorter) to those eyelets. I put the dink sideways against the stern fenders, tie off the 2 closest (shorter) lines on the rear quarters of the H31 and finally lift / pull the 2 outside (longer) lines until the dink passes 90 degrees and rests against the reverse transom. I secure the longer outside lines to the same rear quarter tie offs. Kurt Sears S/V KAI AKA 1985 Hunter 31 formerly Molokai, HI currently Martinez, CA
Always tow
In 14 years I have always towed mine. I had an Avon R310. Sometimes with the motor on it. Sometimes not. In the bay I use a harness and one painter. Offshore I use two painters. One is a bit looser and acts as a backup.
In 14 years I have always towed mine. I had an Avon R310. Sometimes with the motor on it. Sometimes not. In the bay I use a harness and one painter. Offshore I use two painters. One is a bit looser and acts as a backup.
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