Towing a Tender

[Dutch1]

I bought an Achilles LS-260E tender and would like to know best method to attach to a C & C Landfall 38. Also bought a used Honda BF5A short shaft (5HP) engine and need ideas on best place to stow the engine while underway. The engine weight is 59 lbs.

Thank you,
Dutch1

 

[Kings Gambit]

Stow it, don't tow it!

In my opinion, you should stow it; not tow it. But if you must recommend use a 3-point attachment. It's important that the centered towing ring of the dink be attached to the boat; the lateral tow pad-eyes that are only glued on can (and do) pull off if used alone. Use 1/2" three-stand polypropylene (i.e., floating) line as the warp. Engine goes on the stern rail as per usual unless you wish to stow it below in the cockpit locker.

 

[Dutch1]

Re: Stow it, don't tow it!

Thanks for the quick response Kings Gambit.

I need to figure out an easy way to handle the dink and motor when we take a short trip and anchor in one of the San Juan Islands here in WA with not too much effort. Motor weighs 59 lbs. and don't want to make this a major chore when attaching to the dink in the water.

Dutch1

 

[Scotty C-M]

Are you able to hoist the dingy onto the foredeck using the jib (or spinnaker) halyard? I have a motor hoist on my stern that makes putting the outboard onto the stern rail easy. Someday I hope to put in dingy davids on the stern.

 

[caguy]

I don't mind towing the dink without the motor. The motor on the dink will really slow you down. I use the mainsheet block to lower the motor over the side of the boat to attach to the dink. I stow the ob on the stern rail with a couple of rags to give it a little bite and prevent scratching. I make up a harness with a short piece of 1/2" rope and attach it with a large carabiner.
When I tow the dink I too use a polyethylene floating painter. I have a bridle and made one a tad shorter than the other so the dink trails outside of the wake. When in the harbor I pull the dink short and hook the bridle onto the stern cleat to keep it under control.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I have 5-hp (Tohatsu) as well, but also a 4-hp two-stroke Evinrude. The dink usually rides on the fore deck if inflated; otherwise in a bag in the starboard cockpit locker; the engine(s) ride(s) on the stern rail or stowed below, depending on where I'm going and for how long. No dinghy davit aboard--yet. I can deploy the dink w/ the small engine w/o much trouble; or can row if not too far. I put the heavy engine on if I'm sticking around for a while or making short passages in protected waters in which case I might tow the dink w/ the engine attached and tilted up.