I've been advised that towing a 8 to 10 foot zodiak would slow down the Hunter 240 too much. I think that I would be in a position to tow a dender a few times to explore fro an anchorage whil on an overnight but not that often. Any thoughts on what others are towing? Go you use it often and what about transfering a long shaft (5 horse) frpm the sailbaot to the tender?
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Joel Langdon
Towing the "Inflatable Woman"
Reid, We have a Hunter '99 340, walk thru transom, & 9'4" Zodiac Fastroller @ 52lbs-("Inflatable Woman"). Tried all ways, towing, laying on it's side on starboard midship deck, lashing to stern rails on it's side, hauling up the bow & lashing it to swim platform, towing the aft half. All ways work, but on deck obstructs view. Have a Nissan 5hp @ 55lbs-got a great like new, used Garhauer motor davit, 200 lb capacity...not mounted it yet, but that's next. Nothing wrong in towing a Zodiac...VERY strong crafts...be SURE to have a safety cable on the motor if you tow with it on. I prefer towing...it's "ready" when we are, out of the way, and I don't care about losing speed due to drag...I'm in no hurry. Look forward to the davit use...55lbs ain't much, but dancing it into the Zodiac, safety line or not, is "fun" I won't miss. Good Luck to you. Joel L.
Reid, We have a Hunter '99 340, walk thru transom, & 9'4" Zodiac Fastroller @ 52lbs-("Inflatable Woman"). Tried all ways, towing, laying on it's side on starboard midship deck, lashing to stern rails on it's side, hauling up the bow & lashing it to swim platform, towing the aft half. All ways work, but on deck obstructs view. Have a Nissan 5hp @ 55lbs-got a great like new, used Garhauer motor davit, 200 lb capacity...not mounted it yet, but that's next. Nothing wrong in towing a Zodiac...VERY strong crafts...be SURE to have a safety cable on the motor if you tow with it on. I prefer towing...it's "ready" when we are, out of the way, and I don't care about losing speed due to drag...I'm in no hurry. Look forward to the davit use...55lbs ain't much, but dancing it into the Zodiac, safety line or not, is "fun" I won't miss. Good Luck to you. Joel L.
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Bob Zolczer
Give it a try and see
I tow a 150# Caribe behind my 29.5 and keep my 56# Short Shaft 8HP Nissan mounted on a stern rail with a cheapie West Marine plastic bracket. Towing the dinghy without the motor causes me to lose about 1/2 knot. Towing the dinghy with the motor on the transom causes me to lose about 1 knot. I use the two grab rails on the transom to tie the dinghy in tight when mounting and dismounting the motor. You'll find if you tow that a good cover keeps spray out which could accumulate and slow you down further. I use a dinghy tow line that floats which I picked up at a boat show (not polypropylene where the knots slip). That way, there's less of a chance of fouling the prop. The dinghy does "sail" a bit at times when being towed and I've been thinking of putting a jury rigged rudder on the transom to cut down on this. Good Luck, I hope this helps.
I tow a 150# Caribe behind my 29.5 and keep my 56# Short Shaft 8HP Nissan mounted on a stern rail with a cheapie West Marine plastic bracket. Towing the dinghy without the motor causes me to lose about 1/2 knot. Towing the dinghy with the motor on the transom causes me to lose about 1 knot. I use the two grab rails on the transom to tie the dinghy in tight when mounting and dismounting the motor. You'll find if you tow that a good cover keeps spray out which could accumulate and slow you down further. I use a dinghy tow line that floats which I picked up at a boat show (not polypropylene where the knots slip). That way, there's less of a chance of fouling the prop. The dinghy does "sail" a bit at times when being towed and I've been thinking of putting a jury rigged rudder on the transom to cut down on this. Good Luck, I hope this helps.
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Chuck
Towing
I tow a 8' v bow dingy hehind my 22. I hardly know it's there. The kids love it cause they can go into it and fish and cast from it (with pfd of course) and they dont have to listen to me bitch cause they're throwing hooks all over the place. If all it's costing is a knot or so who cares.. Your realistically not likely to notice it that much unless your on a really long cruise and that knot is going to really amount to something in time. Have fun.
I tow a 8' v bow dingy hehind my 22. I hardly know it's there. The kids love it cause they can go into it and fish and cast from it (with pfd of course) and they dont have to listen to me bitch cause they're throwing hooks all over the place. If all it's costing is a knot or so who cares.. Your realistically not likely to notice it that much unless your on a really long cruise and that knot is going to really amount to something in time. Have fun.
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Stephen Dawes
Zodiac and 260..
We tow a Zodiac w/8hp Merc. behind our H260 and it does just fine..It probably costs 3/4 to 1knt off cruising speed, but who cares? It is great to have the Zodiac ready to go.. Stephen Dawes H260 Tender Morsel
We tow a Zodiac w/8hp Merc. behind our H260 and it does just fine..It probably costs 3/4 to 1knt off cruising speed, but who cares? It is great to have the Zodiac ready to go.. Stephen Dawes H260 Tender Morsel
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Russ King
Build your own tender...
For those who are interested, you can get free plans for an 8' dinghy at www.bateau.com/free/freeplans.htm. The boat is small enough to fit in the back of a standard pickup truck. It's simple to build, and the kids have had a lot of fun with it. The boat is powered with oars, but the plans include specs for sail. A small (1 or 2 hp) motor or electric trolling motor can be fastened to the transom.
For those who are interested, you can get free plans for an 8' dinghy at www.bateau.com/free/freeplans.htm. The boat is small enough to fit in the back of a standard pickup truck. It's simple to build, and the kids have had a lot of fun with it. The boat is powered with oars, but the plans include specs for sail. A small (1 or 2 hp) motor or electric trolling motor can be fastened to the transom.
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ED KNEBEL
12v hi speed inflator
I have used a LVH?(around $90, boat/US) for about ten years. It used to inflate a 8foot hypalon dinghy in about 1.5 to 2 minutes, up to 3 psi. I say it used to because my dinghy was a victim of a hit and run at the mooring one dark night. the pump also easily reversed to deflate/compact for stowage. When dinghys are towed, they always start to sink at the worst times, about the same time you wished you would have already reefed.
I have used a LVH?(around $90, boat/US) for about ten years. It used to inflate a 8foot hypalon dinghy in about 1.5 to 2 minutes, up to 3 psi. I say it used to because my dinghy was a victim of a hit and run at the mooring one dark night. the pump also easily reversed to deflate/compact for stowage. When dinghys are towed, they always start to sink at the worst times, about the same time you wished you would have already reefed.
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