I am buying a WM Water Tender 9-4 today (per an earlier post here) and wonder how I will tow it. Do I tow it from the center of the stern, or from either side? It probably sounds stupid, but I never had a Tender and I don't plan on storing it on the fore deck. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Cementhead
Water Tender 9-4
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either way
You can tow from either side or middle, doesn't matter. You want about 50' of tow line, and pull it in when you are docking so that it doesn't foul the prop. Some folks use a tow bridle and floating line, but I wouldn't trust it not to foul.
You can tow from either side or middle, doesn't matter. You want about 50' of tow line, and pull it in when you are docking so that it doesn't foul the prop. Some folks use a tow bridle and floating line, but I wouldn't trust it not to foul.
What I Do...
...I have towed one for years. I use two 15' 5/16's dock lines with S/S snap hooks on the end and two water-ski floats attached. I tow it attached to each stern cleat. and with both clips attached to the bow eye. These are for towing only, the painter is attached seperately. Works great and I can adjust it from side to side or by length to ride the stern wave. Only once in 10' following seas did I need to let out about 30' of line. In that case, I just attached the line to the eyes of the bridle. The water-ski floats are to keep the lines from floating under the stern at low speeds and fouling the prop, altho I always pull it in tight when backing or in close quarters. I keep the dink in the slip, in the front. When backing out, I just attach the tow lines to the bow cleat, and tow the dink out in reverse until I get to the fairway where I walk it back. When I come in to the slip, I bring the dink up to the bow and reverse the process. Rick D. (This is the same routine some charter boats train. Rick D.)
...I have towed one for years. I use two 15' 5/16's dock lines with S/S snap hooks on the end and two water-ski floats attached. I tow it attached to each stern cleat. and with both clips attached to the bow eye. These are for towing only, the painter is attached seperately. Works great and I can adjust it from side to side or by length to ride the stern wave. Only once in 10' following seas did I need to let out about 30' of line. In that case, I just attached the line to the eyes of the bridle. The water-ski floats are to keep the lines from floating under the stern at low speeds and fouling the prop, altho I always pull it in tight when backing or in close quarters. I keep the dink in the slip, in the front. When backing out, I just attach the tow lines to the bow cleat, and tow the dink out in reverse until I get to the fairway where I walk it back. When I come in to the slip, I bring the dink up to the bow and reverse the process. Rick D. (This is the same routine some charter boats train. Rick D.)
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