Towing Tube with Kids on Hunter 17

[LordNelson]

How to install fitting strong enough to pull kids while sailing on 08 hunter 17. A family member used the motor mount on their 17 but I worry it is not strong enough. Is the a way to install a better mount or would it be better to use the two rear cleats.

 

[JohnVTX]

Cleats

 

[rgranger]

Cleats +1

You wont be going fast enough to put too much strain on the cleats. I have done this on a coronado 23 before...no problems

 

[RussC]

cleat works fine.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If we were dealing with a pure fiberglass sailboat particularly where you could get underneath to put on a backing plate, I would concur with the cleats but not in this case with the ACP built Hunter 170 as I have intimate knowledge if this is the 17 he is referring to built in Florida. I have intimate knowledge and experience with the 170.
You for layman's terms have a plastic skin over construction foam with several if that much layers of glass covering the backside of the foam. The motor mount is screwed into a marine wood encapsulated in the that construction. In fact you have to predrill the holes to avoid cracking the hull and when applying any caulk lightly scratch up the transom so to get a good adhesion with the caulk being used. There is no access to the underneath of the cockpit unless you want to drill an inspection port to access that area. If you do, a flat surface would be needed to insert a backing plate which needs to be large enough to distribute the load and I would suggest bolt/washer and nuts vs. wood screws. Make sure to predrill any hole to allow either the bolt or wood screw to pass thru the outer ACP skin.

With that said, the decision is yours but as a former dealer, I would advise against that if it is the 170 ACP built boat

 

[kito]

It looks like there is cleats on the back for tying up at the dock. Just make a "y" shaped bridle and attach to each cleat. If it's strong enough for docking it sure should pull a tube at 15 mph

 

[Ron20324]

If boat strength is in question, make a bridle to go in front of the mast, back on both sides to the stern cleat, which would be used only as fairleads; then on out the stern on both sides to come together- like a towing bridle for a dinghy.
Edit: This is the same way the BOAT would be towed from the front.

 

[Daveinet]

Truth is, you only need to attach it to one cleat. even though it is not balanced, you are not going fast enough to even be able tell that it is pulling the boat sideways. I sometimes tow with the bow cleat, so the kids are next to the cockpit, rather than behind. That does pull the boat a little sideways but still OK. Most of the time, I'm just towing the two kids in the water, rather than on tubes.

 

[kito]

I got to say, pulling someone in front of the prop is pretty scary. Sheet happens

 

[Daveinet]

Under sail mostly, but also be aware that I use an electric trolling motor. Much more controlled, and at a much slower pace. They can easily stay away from the boat. When under motor, its more of a therapeutic speed, not a see if we can splash and makes waves speed. No, I don't think I would do that with a gas engine.

 

[LordNelson]

Crazy Dave: are you saying not to use the cleats, or not to use not to use the motor mount, or both.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

That is what I am saying. I know the construction of that Hunter 170 all too well and would be concerned. The cleats for example are screwed into marine ply beneath the surface along with the outboard motor bracket. If it were something else I would say that is up to you but on this boat due to the construction which most do not know is why I am warning against unless you do exactly what I said earlier about backing inside the boat which means cutting an inspection port and so on. This is an ACP boat not fiberglass although there is a layer or two of glass attached to the foam insider.

 

[Jackdaw]

If boat strength is in question, make a bridle to go in front of the mast, back on both sides to the stern cleat, which would be used only as fairleads; then on out the stern on both sides to come together- like a towing bridle for a dinghy.

this.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Jackdaw;
The mast step is also screwed into a wood block below the deck. I would be cautious