I am planning to sail my Hunter 27 from Lake Erie to the Georgia coast (and on from there). I have two other boats I would like to move: a 1960 FJ and a homemade lightweight dory. Given the FJ's tendency to swamp when moored or docked, what about towing it behind the Hunter? An what measures can I take to deal with the swamping problem (which I've only heard about as I have always beached mine)? Is this an appropriate topic for this forum? If not, please excuse my ignorance. Thank you, bob
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How about some truck inner tubes
or creating some type of inflatable blatter? just a thought... r.w.landau
or creating some type of inflatable blatter? just a thought... r.w.landau
A friend of mine from Ohio
once tried a similar stunt; he hitched his 30' travel trailer to his truck and then hitched his 19' power boat behind the trailer. His shakedown drive ended abruptly in the median of the road with an overturned TT and a jack knifed boat trailer. His wife had us in stiches as she told the story. They had really gone for a shakedown drive and intended to head for Florida the following week. What is wrong with you guys up there?
once tried a similar stunt; he hitched his 30' travel trailer to his truck and then hitched his 19' power boat behind the trailer. His shakedown drive ended abruptly in the median of the road with an overturned TT and a jack knifed boat trailer. His wife had us in stiches as she told the story. They had really gone for a shakedown drive and intended to head for Florida the following week. What is wrong with you guys up there?
Shrink wrap
Our local boat manufacturer shrink wraps their boats for transport. I do not how long it would last, but it protects the boats on the interstate. Shrink wrapping may be worth considering.
Our local boat manufacturer shrink wraps their boats for transport. I do not how long it would last, but it protects the boats on the interstate. Shrink wrapping may be worth considering.
flotation devices
Try using flotation that they use for whiteater paddling. You can check at a outdoor shop for the inflatable bladders. They are easy to use and will conform to most any shape.
Try using flotation that they use for whiteater paddling. You can check at a outdoor shop for the inflatable bladders. They are easy to use and will conform to most any shape.
Joe, thanks for the clarification.
I still think is a dumb idea. It is enough to navigate a 27' boat through canals and an open water crossing without having have to additionally worry about two tows with one having a tendency to swamp . Adding flotation will not help the swamping problem it will just allow it to float at the surface instead of sinking. My suggestion would be to keep a sharp knife handy.
I still think is a dumb idea. It is enough to navigate a 27' boat through canals and an open water crossing without having have to additionally worry about two tows with one having a tendency to swamp . Adding flotation will not help the swamping problem it will just allow it to float at the surface instead of sinking. My suggestion would be to keep a sharp knife handy.
Rent a Uhaul
You have the length of 2 big large bodies of water, both capable of throwing some serious seas at you, especially this time of year. I would not want to make the trip this time of year even towing an inflatable. Going through the Welland is supposed to be tricky enough in a small boat w/o having to worry about two tows. I wonder how you will control those tows when pulling into locks. Just keeping your 27 safe in the locks will keep a crew of two or three busy. At each lock, someone is going to have to get into the tows to fend them off the walls and off of other boats. I can see a lot of potential for some good videos here. I just finished 40 some locks in the Trent Severn in August and I could not imagine locking through trying to keep two tows under control. Your tows are not like an inflatable that will bounce off other boats and lock walls. You can be sure that the FJ will choose to swamp just when your attention needs to be elsewhere - like keeping your boat on its feet during a blow. Put the other boats in a uhaul and take them by land.
You have the length of 2 big large bodies of water, both capable of throwing some serious seas at you, especially this time of year. I would not want to make the trip this time of year even towing an inflatable. Going through the Welland is supposed to be tricky enough in a small boat w/o having to worry about two tows. I wonder how you will control those tows when pulling into locks. Just keeping your 27 safe in the locks will keep a crew of two or three busy. At each lock, someone is going to have to get into the tows to fend them off the walls and off of other boats. I can see a lot of potential for some good videos here. I just finished 40 some locks in the Trent Severn in August and I could not imagine locking through trying to keep two tows under control. Your tows are not like an inflatable that will bounce off other boats and lock walls. You can be sure that the FJ will choose to swamp just when your attention needs to be elsewhere - like keeping your boat on its feet during a blow. Put the other boats in a uhaul and take them by land.
not a good idea
I made this trip last fall. I can tell you that towing anything in the Erie Canal with 36 locks would be a major problem. I am not sure that the authoritites would even allow it. If you are going to try it, I would check with them first. The trip down the ICW is fun but there is always the unexpected and problems with your tows will happen at the wrong time.
I made this trip last fall. I can tell you that towing anything in the Erie Canal with 36 locks would be a major problem. I am not sure that the authoritites would even allow it. If you are going to try it, I would check with them first. The trip down the ICW is fun but there is always the unexpected and problems with your tows will happen at the wrong time.
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