Towing larger RIB

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Bob

I'm consdiering a larger RIB (12-14') with console steering and 30ish HP outboard. Will use to zip around SD bay, do some fishing out in the kelp beds. My question is how would it tow behind my H376?? Probably will weigh 300-400 lbs. Bob
 
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Daryl

Tows like a BRICK

Towing one will take over one knot off your hull speed. When traveling over five knots a strong 200# man will not be able to pull slack in the tow line. On flat water the dingy will actually have a wake that's much larger than the sailboat. I dragged one around for two years and went back to a lighter roll up.
 
May 7, 2004
119
Hunter 33.5 Saint Louis
Towing

We've towed our (hate to admit it) jet ski several times on an inland lake and couldn't sail and faster 4 and one half to 5 knots. I tow it about 8-12 feet behind us. Motoring isn't much better. Five and one half knots tops with our 27 hp Yanmar. Jeff Morrison H33.5 1993
 
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Bob Bass

Might re-pitch prop

We have towed an 18-foot power cat behind our H450 for four cruising seasons in the Bahamas. Estimate we have towed it at least 5,000 miles. Slows us down about a knot, makes a bigger wake than the boat but well worth it when cruising. You might need to have your prop re-pitched to slightly less pitch to handle the extra drag. Use floating line and be prepared to let the dinghy out 50 to 100 feet in a following sea. When in following sea, leave the motor down to act as drag to prevent dinghy from passing you. Enjoy your bigger dinghy.
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Let out the painter

When towing aim to tow the dingy so that it surfs on the roller generated by the mother boat. That means you need to power up to hull speed or close to it. When using this method, I could pull the painter with two fingers and the dingy would come closer, with our H34. That was a 12' inflatable with a 25hp Yamaha. Weight, about 300#. Our 11.5 Avon RIB tows better. (350# or so) Remember, you gotta make that stern wake and USE it. (or trade dingies with me) :)
 
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Bob F

Good news

This is great news to me, I was thinking a 13' RIB would be too big/heavy. Thankss, Bob.
 
Jun 5, 1997
659
Coleman scanoe Irwin (ID)
Better use that size RIB to tow the mothership ! :eek:)

With a little luck, a vessel under 20 ft is probably exempted from most of the fairly complicated requirements with regard to day signs and/or night lights when towing another vessel at the end of a 100 feet line, even in busy inland or international waters. The same may not be true for the mothership when towing the RIB on a long line. If so, having the RIB tow the mothership might well be the easiest way to get both vessels safely and conveniently to your destination. However, I haven't sailed within the USA for nearly a decade. Someone else here on the board is likely to better up to speed on the current Rules of the Road interpretation with regard to towing. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Oh Henk, his tow wouldn't be at 100 feet,,,

More like a boat length. Bob, it'll still take some time to get up to speed with any tow. Be sure to take your prospective new toy for a test tow to make sure you can,,,tow.
 
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