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mad dawg · 23-07-2011, 22:23

WE are new to the cruising world & own a single engine, 38 ft trawler.
We live on it in Fla. prepping it with solar panels, wind gen. & other just gotta have items.
I have recently purchased an older McKee craft 14 ft with a 30 h.p motor on it, the boat has got all kinds of room for diving stuff, fishin stuff, & just stuff + people.
We would love to tow her over to the islands with us to be able to use having all that fun we are looking forward to, the question is ... am I nuts or can we do it safely & with out major difficulty ?? Thanks for your input.

daddle · 23-07-2011, 22:27

Trawler with solar panels? Why?

Unicorn Dreams · 23-07-2011, 23:32

Welcome aboard Cruisers Forum

Why solar? Maybe he doesn't want to listen to a noisy generator while at an anchorage for weeks.

I wouldn't tow a dinghy in open water. to much chance of it swamping or losing it...

Simes · 24-07-2011, 02:26

Yes I agree with Unicorn D'. Stow the Dink' on deck or even in slings. Even if towing for short distance in very settled weather remove the out board engine, Install major buoyancy tanks and keep a watch on the dink' at all times.
Towed Dinks are forever taking a dive of the wake of another vessel, surfing down the front of a wave and smacking your transom, or just turning turtle.

The tow point must be extremely strong and very well braced.

For suggestions have read through the "Sailors Sketchbook" by Bruce Bingham (Sailor's Sketchbook S/C: Amazon.co.uk: Bingham: Books)

I would think twice about towing my Dingy.

Simes

**GordMay** · 24-07-2011, 04:07

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, mad dawg.

JusDreaming · 24-07-2011, 05:30

I agree with the rest, towing it would be a PITA, you will be watching it constantly, with good reason!!!!!!! Calm weather, going from anchorage to anchorage, probably OK, but going out in open water would be asking for trouble. Keep in mind that some of the cuts have a standing wave and could also spell trouble, and you could risk the mother ship trying to save the dink!!!!!!!

motion30 · 24-07-2011, 06:02

I have had to watch my almost new inflatable fade off in the distance when towing in horrible weather. It fliped upside down and pulled the d rings out As jusdreaming states I would have had to risked life and the mother ship to save the dink. Hard to do but feel I made the right decision. Then and now Carry on deck now

MarkJ · 24-07-2011, 06:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad dawg

We would love to tow her over to the islands

I think its too far to tow. But if its imposable to hoist then tow but be prepared to buy another one.

Definitely hoist the OB before a long tow. 30hp would be worth more than the dink.

Remember the dink will fill with water so bung should be out.

best attachment is a bridle with lines with give.

Once in the islands then many tow 50+ miles.

SunKing · 24-07-2011, 06:22

he is not talking about a dingy. it is a 14 foot fiberglass skiff... and yes not a good idea to tow it to the islands...

MarkJ · 24-07-2011, 06:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunKing

he is not talking about a dingy. it is a 14 foot fiberglass skiff... and yes not a good idea to tow it to the islands...

What? Like this one I just googled?

LOL.

OK. Yes. NO! LOL

Unless you have a super yacht to drag it

motion30 · 24-07-2011, 06:48

Well if its a whaler you can always retrieve it as it floats upside down but It is better never to have it turn turtle in the first place I have a buddy who is a boat builder He built a custom 42' cat that was towed behing a 125' motor yacht It had to be cut loose in a storm and was never seen again so inflatable or skiff things can go bad

Tingum · 24-07-2011, 07:03

I have towed a 13' whaler for thousands of miles with no problems. However towing it in the open ocean is very iffy. You really need to pick your weather. Removing the engine on your set up is not practical. The Mckee craft is heavy so picking it up is almost impossible on a mother ship of your size. You could consider a hinged arrangment on your transom to fold it up out of the water depending on swim step/transom design. If towing: reinforce the bow tow eye with a large aluminium or ss backing plate and tow from the lower attachment, NOT the upper one. Play with the length of the tow line so that it rides on the back side of the stern wave and does not surf forward. Use a 3 strand nylon line. I use 5/8". On crossings I go as far a putting a radar reflector on a pole lashed to the console just in case it gets loose and you have to go searching, never needed it but just a precaution. We towed a 14' inflatable with a 50HP the entire Great Loop with no problems.

mad dawg · 24-07-2011, 07:54

Thanks sooo much for the input on towing the Mckee craft.
Yes this is more like a real boat than a dingy, its similar to a boston whaler, she is suppose to be un-sinkable.
At this point I am still on the "fence" sounds like to me that no matter what you tow you may have to bid a good buy to if in a bad situation.
I would definately watch the weather & wait for several days to make the 60-80 mile crossing from Fla. to the Bahamas.
Once there, I can't help but think this craft would be the perfect island hopper & exploration vessel. (tiki bars etc...)
Then when we return I would wait again for good weather, I have no real time schedule as this economy has ruined my construction bus. & forced early retire..... o-well Life in the Islands ????
If I decide to go the risk I will install new heavy duty towing eyelets etc. as per Tingum suggestion.
The reason I'm going with solar panels & wind generator is because I plan to hang on the hook as much as possible & live lean.
Thanks again for the continued input.