We have an 89 C30, and an inflatable dinghy (9'4") that we have towed behind the boat last summer. Does towing the dinghy slow our speed ? a lot ? What are other options besides towing and lashing on the foredeck, that can be used to tow, carry, or lift that is possible and not to expensive ? Thanks CM
towing our dinghy
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Towing
I tow a hard dinghy from behind my boat. It is pretty effecient and I think that it only costs me between .3 and .5 knots. Inflatable dinghies are more drag than a hard dinghy. I have pondered this question for a while before going with a hard dinghy. The end was that every which way you go it is a compromise. The hard dinghy was the best for me. I tow it when I go out. I don't have to worry about putting a hole in the dinghy. The bad part is that I have it behind my boat when I am backing into a slip and anchoring.
I tow a hard dinghy from behind my boat. It is pretty effecient and I think that it only costs me between .3 and .5 knots. Inflatable dinghies are more drag than a hard dinghy. I have pondered this question for a while before going with a hard dinghy. The end was that every which way you go it is a compromise. The hard dinghy was the best for me. I tow it when I go out. I don't have to worry about putting a hole in the dinghy. The bad part is that I have it behind my boat when I am backing into a slip and anchoring.
Towing and Folding
My experience: I have an 8.5' inflatable for my Catalina 30. I usually stow it below (deflated and folded up in the quarter berth behind the step ladder). At anchor, I deploy it for going ashore. On return the trip I tow it on a short painter. There is maybe a 0.5 kt penalty, if that. In the slip I usually stow it below deflated or leave it on the foredeck. It works for me quite well. Towing it in steep following seas can be a bit of a problem, however.
My experience: I have an 8.5' inflatable for my Catalina 30. I usually stow it below (deflated and folded up in the quarter berth behind the step ladder). At anchor, I deploy it for going ashore. On return the trip I tow it on a short painter. There is maybe a 0.5 kt penalty, if that. In the slip I usually stow it below deflated or leave it on the foredeck. It works for me quite well. Towing it in steep following seas can be a bit of a problem, however.
tOWING
I have a 10' Zodiac and I run the line from the dingy over the middle rail of the stern rail and haul the bow of the dingy up tight to the stern rail and tie it off to the starboard side cleat. I have the end of the line tied to the rear stancion so if necessary I can uncleat the line and drop the dingy back to use for possible pick-up of MOB.
I have a 10' Zodiac and I run the line from the dingy over the middle rail of the stern rail and haul the bow of the dingy up tight to the stern rail and tie it off to the starboard side cleat. I have the end of the line tied to the rear stancion so if necessary I can uncleat the line and drop the dingy back to use for possible pick-up of MOB.
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