I am considering towing two kayaks behind my Hunter 23.5 on our next daysail. The kayaks are Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120's (sit on top/unsinkable). Is this feasible? I hve no experience towing dingies and I am asking for opinions/suggestions on this undertaking. I was going to buy some dingy line for towing, and then tie the two kayaks tightly side by side so they act as one boat. Any suggestions on the length of the tow line? We will be sailing in wide open Charlotte Harbor, FL, so I am not concerned about reducing manueverability. I am mainly interested in learning tips on towing and whether or not it is advisable to tow kayaks. I do not really have enough room on deck to lash them down. I guess I could make that work but it would be a PITA. Thanks.
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Kayak sailboat rack
I think you could tow them under calm conditions one after the other. Lashed together they might launch like a kite under windy conditions while passing over waves. All of the kayaks I've seen only have carrying handles at each end and don't come with hardware capable of attaching a towline. Towing a kayak through a breaking wave would rip those handles off. An alternative are kayak racks that attach to the base of the life line stanchions. Check the link below. Hope this helps.
I think you could tow them under calm conditions one after the other. Lashed together they might launch like a kite under windy conditions while passing over waves. All of the kayaks I've seen only have carrying handles at each end and don't come with hardware capable of attaching a towline. Towing a kayak through a breaking wave would rip those handles off. An alternative are kayak racks that attach to the base of the life line stanchions. Check the link below. Hope this helps.
Try and see.
I haven't seen them towed before, since they are light enough to haul up and secure on board. But it's worth a try to tow them. See what it's like and experiment with painter lengths for towing. Whatever develops, post it here and let us all know. Thanks.
I haven't seen them towed before, since they are light enough to haul up and secure on board. But it's worth a try to tow them. See what it's like and experiment with painter lengths for towing. Whatever develops, post it here and let us all know. Thanks.
Kayak Rack
Hi Bryan, A couple of years ago when my dingy needed to be replaced, I got two kayaks instead. I found that kayaks don't tow as well as a dingy, and used to place them both on the foredeck when sailing. At a recent boat show I happen to be talking to the owner of the shop that makes the racks that Monty Miller mentioned in his response. I bought two sets, and it has been one of the best investments I've made for the boat. My decks are clear, and they stay out of the way when I'm grabbing a mooring line over at Catalina.
Hi Bryan, A couple of years ago when my dingy needed to be replaced, I got two kayaks instead. I found that kayaks don't tow as well as a dingy, and used to place them both on the foredeck when sailing. At a recent boat show I happen to be talking to the owner of the shop that makes the racks that Monty Miller mentioned in his response. I bought two sets, and it has been one of the best investments I've made for the boat. My decks are clear, and they stay out of the way when I'm grabbing a mooring line over at Catalina.
whatever you do...
...be sure to use that yellow propolyene rope used by waterskiers. It floats, and thus should be less likely to get snared in the prop.
...be sure to use that yellow propolyene rope used by waterskiers. It floats, and thus should be less likely to get snared in the prop.
Most of the time when I sail-Hunter 19- I tow two kayaks- both wilderness systems boats- and they work extremely well. Tie one to the sailboat and tie the other to the stern of the first kayak. It looks like a mother duck with duckies following behind in a row, but it works very well. Disconnect the paddles, stow them in the kayaks, and you don't take up any sailboat space. I've never had them flip over, but if that worries you, pull a piece of sunbrella over the cockpit and use a loop of bungie cord to make a drumhead of it. then you can store fishing stuff in the kayaks and again, no lost sailboat space. Kayaks behind the sailboat? you bet-good idea.
Towing Kayaks - Been there, done that
I've only towed one kayak, a tandem, but it is also one on the sit-on-top designs from Ocean Kayaks. It is very stable while towing and tracks very well. I would agree with the recommendation of using a floating poly rope, and would add that I fashioned a harness off of the stern cleats to keep it centered behind. Normally, I'd never know it's back there, but there was one time in 25 knot winds and 4-6 footers that it DID roll over. Because of the nose up design, when it inverted it was nose down and tried to submarine. I felt the pull on the boat, headed upwind to take off some speed, pulled the kayak up to the boat, flipped it back over and we were back on our way. And BTW, that certainly demonstrated to me that the carrying handles (which I had fastened the painter to) were more than strong enough to handle the load. T J
I've only towed one kayak, a tandem, but it is also one on the sit-on-top designs from Ocean Kayaks. It is very stable while towing and tracks very well. I would agree with the recommendation of using a floating poly rope, and would add that I fashioned a harness off of the stern cleats to keep it centered behind. Normally, I'd never know it's back there, but there was one time in 25 knot winds and 4-6 footers that it DID roll over. Because of the nose up design, when it inverted it was nose down and tried to submarine. I felt the pull on the boat, headed upwind to take off some speed, pulled the kayak up to the boat, flipped it back over and we were back on our way. And BTW, that certainly demonstrated to me that the carrying handles (which I had fastened the painter to) were more than strong enough to handle the load. T J
WOULD LOVE TO SEE RACK
I would love to see a photo of the sailboat with racks and kayaks and how long are the kayaks. nick
I would love to see a photo of the sailboat with racks and kayaks and how long are the kayaks. nick
Ditto on the picture of the racks installed.
I bought two perception 9.5 recreational kayaks earlier this year. So far I have placed them inside the cabin (believe it or not still some room to sit) and across the cabin top. I considered lashing to the stanchions but wouldn't fit inside the life lines, those racks seem like they might fit the bill. A little worried about the stresses on the stanchions though. alan
I bought two perception 9.5 recreational kayaks earlier this year. So far I have placed them inside the cabin (believe it or not still some room to sit) and across the cabin top. I considered lashing to the stanchions but wouldn't fit inside the life lines, those racks seem like they might fit the bill. A little worried about the stresses on the stanchions though. alan
More info....
Sorry I don't have a picture. Our rack is on a h29.5 and carries a Mainstream Jazz SOT kayak that is 9' long, 12" deep and weighs 34 lbs. They are mounted with a bolted clamp on the base of the stantions minimizing the moment from the weight of the kayak. They can swing against the lifelines when not in use. Works very well for us. There are several things to be considered before purchasing and installing. We have the rack mounted midship outside of the lifelines so sailing with the rail in the water might be a problem and docking on that side could be another. I am guessing that on some boats they could mounted inside the lifelines. Our jib is small and the sheets do not get hung up on the rack or the kayak. A longer kayak would be problem. I haven't flown the asymetrical yet. We have spinaker winches on the cockpit sides so maybe the sheets won't be attacked by the kayak. The rack is only 14" wide so a deeper kayak may not fit depending on placement. Visibility from the cockpit while sailing heeled over is another concern. Hope this helps.
Sorry I don't have a picture. Our rack is on a h29.5 and carries a Mainstream Jazz SOT kayak that is 9' long, 12" deep and weighs 34 lbs. They are mounted with a bolted clamp on the base of the stantions minimizing the moment from the weight of the kayak. They can swing against the lifelines when not in use. Works very well for us. There are several things to be considered before purchasing and installing. We have the rack mounted midship outside of the lifelines so sailing with the rail in the water might be a problem and docking on that side could be another. I am guessing that on some boats they could mounted inside the lifelines. Our jib is small and the sheets do not get hung up on the rack or the kayak. A longer kayak would be problem. I haven't flown the asymetrical yet. We have spinaker winches on the cockpit sides so maybe the sheets won't be attacked by the kayak. The rack is only 14" wide so a deeper kayak may not fit depending on placement. Visibility from the cockpit while sailing heeled over is another concern. Hope this helps.
Thanx Monty, do you leave them on...
...all the time? Can they be removed easily? When you mentioned that they can swing against the life-lines do you need to loosen a bolt or pin or do they just pivot? Visability will definately be an issue on the 26 with raised deck out to the life-lines. However, it will probably be better foward than with them stored on the deck over the hatch. a definite maybe. alan
...all the time? Can they be removed easily? When you mentioned that they can swing against the life-lines do you need to loosen a bolt or pin or do they just pivot? Visability will definately be an issue on the 26 with raised deck out to the life-lines. However, it will probably be better foward than with them stored on the deck over the hatch. a definite maybe. alan
Thanks to all
I am going to try towing them "mother ducky" style, one behind another. I am probably going to try about 40 feet of painter line to keep them well aft of the mainship. I'll let you know if there are any unforseen disasters.
I am going to try towing them "mother ducky" style, one behind another. I am probably going to try about 40 feet of painter line to keep them well aft of the mainship. I'll let you know if there are any unforseen disasters.
Towing "Kaks"
Been there also... My wife and I have been towing two kayaks (Wilderness Systems Pungo)for the last three years behind our H-260. It has been great to be able to park the boat and explore shallow secluded creeks for great views of wildlife (geese, beaver, herons, snakes, marshlands, racoon, etc.). We have towed them by tying each to a separate aft cleat (about 8 feet of 1/4 inch line)with no problems. This has mostly been when the wind is low. For high winds we usually just sail and don't tow the yaks. If towing in large waves, we use the yak cockpit covers stretched across the yak cockpits, and then do not leave anything in the yaks just in case of swamping, (although it has never happened). When we go to the dock, she paddles the yaks off to the ramp or beach while I dock the boat. It all works great and opens up a whole new world of water exploration. We love them on our boat trips. With breathable rain jackets, hats and kayak "skirts," we have paddled in moderate rain and were very comfortable, highly recommended.
Been there also... My wife and I have been towing two kayaks (Wilderness Systems Pungo)for the last three years behind our H-260. It has been great to be able to park the boat and explore shallow secluded creeks for great views of wildlife (geese, beaver, herons, snakes, marshlands, racoon, etc.). We have towed them by tying each to a separate aft cleat (about 8 feet of 1/4 inch line)with no problems. This has mostly been when the wind is low. For high winds we usually just sail and don't tow the yaks. If towing in large waves, we use the yak cockpit covers stretched across the yak cockpits, and then do not leave anything in the yaks just in case of swamping, (although it has never happened). When we go to the dock, she paddles the yaks off to the ramp or beach while I dock the boat. It all works great and opens up a whole new world of water exploration. We love them on our boat trips. With breathable rain jackets, hats and kayak "skirts," we have paddled in moderate rain and were very comfortable, highly recommended.
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