When we tow our dinghy, I suppose we do like most people do. We pull it up short when we're manuevering around the dock, and when we are anchoring. Otherwise we let the painter out. The other weekend we were returing home and I was reminding myself to pull in the dinghy before we turned to drop the sails, lest the painter get snarled up in the prop. Then I thought to myself, why not keep the dinghy snug to the boat 100% of the time(it's an inflatable) and never risk forgetting it and fouling the prop? How far behind your boat do you tow the dinghy? Why? Any horror stories or lessons learned? Paul sv Escape Artist h336
Towing the Dink -- how far back?
- Thread starter Paul McGhee
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Second Boat Wake
Tow your dinghy on the front side of the boat wake so that it will slightly surf and not put too much tension on the painter/dinghy. This wake wave will be perpendicular to the stern. Shortening painter is a good idea when stopping.
Tow your dinghy on the front side of the boat wake so that it will slightly surf and not put too much tension on the painter/dinghy. This wake wave will be perpendicular to the stern. Shortening painter is a good idea when stopping.
towing the dink
Paul: Another consideration when offshore is to condider the dink to be a "second chance" for crew falling overboard. I tow it as far back as the painter will allow. Also, polypropylene line floats. Shorten the painter when docking or in close quarters.
Paul: Another consideration when offshore is to condider the dink to be a "second chance" for crew falling overboard. I tow it as far back as the painter will allow. Also, polypropylene line floats. Shorten the painter when docking or in close quarters.
I like Richard's Idea, but...
...when offshore the crew should have teathers and a jackline rigged. Also when I go offshore, I rig a second painter to the dinghy at a different attachment point. I leave it about 6-12" longer than the primary painter. This serves as a backup in case the primary fails. (I've had it happen!).
...when offshore the crew should have teathers and a jackline rigged. Also when I go offshore, I rig a second painter to the dinghy at a different attachment point. I leave it about 6-12" longer than the primary painter. This serves as a backup in case the primary fails. (I've had it happen!).
Floating Painter
Paul has the right idea about how far back to tow the dink. Definately use oversized floating Polypropylene Braid for the painter but change it out if you sense it getting UV rotted as it ages.
Paul has the right idea about how far back to tow the dink. Definately use oversized floating Polypropylene Braid for the painter but change it out if you sense it getting UV rotted as it ages.
Towing the tender
Paul has already mentioned the idea of towing on the face of the second wake behind the boat. I have always done this and find the weight of the tender is not as much as it would be in other positions. I installed a couple of padeyes on either side of the transome access to the swim step and hook two caribiners that attached to the towing bridle. Of course, it's necessary to not back down when rigged in this manner. The attached picture was taken yesterday as we left Cherry Cove on Catalina Island, CA. Beautiful spot. John Richard s/v Jack's Place ~~~__/)~~~
Paul has already mentioned the idea of towing on the face of the second wake behind the boat. I have always done this and find the weight of the tender is not as much as it would be in other positions. I installed a couple of padeyes on either side of the transome access to the swim step and hook two caribiners that attached to the towing bridle. Of course, it's necessary to not back down when rigged in this manner. The attached picture was taken yesterday as we left Cherry Cove on Catalina Island, CA. Beautiful spot. John Richard s/v Jack's Place ~~~__/)~~~
the line tension test
John's mention of weight, (tension) in the tow line is the key in optimizing the location of the dinghy. Though the front side of the second stern wave may be apparent normally, with the dinghy in tow, it is masked by the dinghy wake itself. So a little research with the old arm with the elbow bent can find the "sweet' spot pretty soon. Here's a picture of my d4 dinghy riding right in it at about 7mph. This particular dinghy rides so well that the penalty in speed seems to be hardly measurable so I usually keep it in the water rather than on deck.
John's mention of weight, (tension) in the tow line is the key in optimizing the location of the dinghy. Though the front side of the second stern wave may be apparent normally, with the dinghy in tow, it is masked by the dinghy wake itself. So a little research with the old arm with the elbow bent can find the "sweet' spot pretty soon. Here's a picture of my d4 dinghy riding right in it at about 7mph. This particular dinghy rides so well that the penalty in speed seems to be hardly measurable so I usually keep it in the water rather than on deck.
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