The most important part of towing a
dinghy is to have the proper towing lline...It HAS to be a FLOATING
line...WHY...Because when you drop
anchor...and start backing down on her...The
dinghy doesn't back down but goes foward...If your
line is not of the floating variety you are playing Russian Roulette...maybe not the first time..but it WILL catch in the prop..If your prop doesn't break the
line...The
dinghy will be drawn in and you will hear an awful screach as the prop will put a nice big gash in your Zodiac..
I do not recommend towing
dinghys...At
anchor dinghys lagging on towing
lines get stolen..Need to be attached to a sling and a halyard raised from the water ..They rarely if ever get stolen in this posture....If your hallards can't handle it...Get a davit..to take your engine off and raised...This of course lightens the hallyard..."No one said that cruising would be easy"....a lot of deck work..
"When it starts to blow... your dinghy will go"...especially at night under heavy sailing conditions. That is not the time to get "the damn thing" on deck
Get your crew to put it on deck.. BEFORE you weigh
anchor..That's what crew are for..LOL