How should I tow a dinghy?

[denby]

I always tow my 9 1/2 foot inflatable. Most of the time the outboard is off of it and the dinghy is tied up with three lines so only the back of the dinghy is in the water.

[scottbr]

Hey Cam, do you leave the motor up or down when towing the RIB. I towed mine all last summer, but we're close to shore and weren't out in big seas. ( this past fall the weather buoy was recording waver heights of 4-5 meters or 12-16 ft.)

[chucklesR]

I would think motor up would produce less drag, slow boaters would appreciate that since sailing on them is always a drag anyway

See, I was nice and didn't mention halfboat or lead mine until just now, damn...

[Michael K]

Has anyone here had experience with the Dinghy Tow system? It's method is to drag a dinghy backwards with only the bow in the water, sort of like a semi-davit. If the dinghy ships any water it is only a bow's-worth and, I guess, would not amount to much. It keeps the dinghy under control in tight quarters, too.

Oh, this is beginning to sound like an advertisement. I have no financial interest. But I thought I should ask before attempting to make one for myself.

[denby]

Originally Posted by chucklesR

I would think motor up would produce less drag, slow boaters would appreciate that since sailing on them is always a drag anyway

damn.See, I was nice and didn't mention halfboat or lead mine until just now, ..

Ckickles you tried, But you would not know what a real boat was.

[jrd22]

Dinghy Tow- never had one but saw one and talked to the owners. They said it was the best thing they ever bought for the boat. I would get one except the Monitor windvane is in the way. Looks like a great way to tow a dingy to me, it would reduce drag to a fraction of normal towing and no danger of wrapping the painter in the wheel.

John

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by scottbr

Hey Cam, do you leave the motor up or down when towing the RIB. I towed mine all last summer, but we're close to shore and weren't out in big seas. ( this past fall the weather buoy was recording waver heights of 4-5 meters or 12-16 ft.)

Motor up. I am not sure if it is so much as the drag (which is a factor), but when the motor is down and in the water, it will start to turn sideways, making the dink ride awkwardly (going down a wave face slightly crooked).

Did that make sense?

- CD

[camaraderie]

Yep...for once...CD has it right. I taught him well!
...and I only do this if I'm in relatively flat water with less than a couple of feet of chop. The motor comes off if I'm facing anything more and I always stow the dink on deck during open water passages.

[labatt]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Motor up. I am not sure if it is so much as the drag (which is a factor), but when the motor is down and in the water, it will start to turn sideways, making the dink ride awkwardly (going down a wave face slightly crooked).

And how do you secure the BBQ?

[telekitr]

And how do you secure the BBQ?

Labatt......never less than 18 lashings of 1" 3 braid for that dern BBQ!!! If that puppy goes over the side you are toast!!!!!!!
How you doing Chris?