Towing an Inflatable or PWC?

DulceSuerna · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

Hello all I am new here and hope my newbie questions don't irritate anyone.
I have a Bombay Clipper 31 (yes I know heavy and slow) Does towing an inflatable slow the boat down considerably, Also would towing a PWC such as a waverunner really slow it down in moderate wind? Trying to decide for this weekend we are going to just sail locally here and relax allot but wanted to bring a play toy with us, though not if it will ruin our sailing.

JimsCAL · #2 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

An inflatable is fine - everyone oned does it. Just don't leave the engine on unless you are SURE the weather will be calm. No way i would tow a PWC.

DulceSuerna · #3 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

Why the no, wopuld it slow the boat down way too much? or just get in the way?

fordo · #4 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

Its all about the weight. At sailboat speeds a pwc has a badly designed(it's designed to plane) displacement hull. It weighs much more than a dinghy and it will really slow you down. Also don't know how stable it would be... you wouldn't want it to tip over.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

Also, the PWC might end up bashing into the main boat when it gets pushed by a wave or such...resulting in bad things for both the PWC and the big boat.

MJBrown · #6 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

When you tow the dinghy adjust the length of the tow line so it's riding down the face of your stern wake not up it. It reduces the amount of drag on your boat.

MJBrown · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

Oh and one other thing. Make sure you take all the slack out of the tow line before you set the anchor. Otherise you risk running over it and fouling the prop. Ask me how I know. Duh is me

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJBrown

Oh and one other thing. Make sure you take all the slack out of the tow line before you set the anchor. Otherise you risk running over it and fouling the prop. Ask me how I know. Duh is me

Use a floating line for the painter... makes this much less of an issue.

MJBrown · #9 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010

Dog I hate to tell you this but it was a floating line. And I emphasize "was". Not sure if we walked over it or it got sucked under but either way I went for a swim to retrieve the dinghy. Very happy that there weren't any nettles around when it happened. What's that they say about experience? It makes for better stories?

Mike

sailingdog · #10 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010

Oh... Well, think of how bad it would have been if it wasn't floating line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJBrown

Dog I hate to tell you this but it was a floating line. And I emphasize "was". Not sure if we walked over it or it got sucked under but either way I went for a swim to retrieve the dinghy. Very happy that there weren't any nettles around when it happened. What's that they say about experience? It makes for better stories?

Mike