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Old 26-12-2015, 12:35   #1
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Can you Tow a boat?

I've got a 41' Morgan in Bocas Del Toro Panama.
I would love to get it to Isla Mujeres Mexico.
It is not ready to sail by herself without more work.
But she will stay above water and her engine/transmission run.
Is it possible to tow a boat this far? If so, what would it cost?
Thanks for any ideas.
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Old 27-12-2015, 21:05   #2
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddiefuego View Post
I've got a 41' Morgan in Bocas Del Toro Panama.
I would love to get it to Isla Mujeres Mexico.
It is not ready to sail by herself without more work.
But she will stay above water and her engine/transmission run.
Is it possible to tow a boat this far? If so, what would it cost?
Thanks for any ideas.
It is probably not possible and certainly not very practical. Even when towed a displacement boat cannot exceed its theoretical hull speed, so it would be very slow going for a motor vessel to tow her and problematic trying to maintain a tow for that distance. It would be more practical to ship her on a larger ship or motor along the coast from port to port where you could refuel.
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Old 27-12-2015, 22:31   #3
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

I agree with CtpnRn. Towing would be very problematic. For the cost of the tow, you could probably pay a rigger to get your rig working properly then sail it.
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Old 28-12-2015, 00:54   #4
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

Many years ago when I was a cop, I set out to tow a Canadian yacht back after the elderly couple had exhausted themselves in a storm. They were only about 3 hours out but it took us close to six to get them in. It was very slow uncomfortable going. I'd recommend finding another way.
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Old 28-12-2015, 01:18   #5
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

Looks to be 900 miles to stay along the coast. I would want to be able to sail.


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Old 28-12-2015, 01:24   #6
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

If the engine is reliable, why wouldn't you just motor? It would certainly be cheaper than paying someone to tow you.
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Old 28-12-2015, 02:08   #7
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddiefuego View Post
I've got a 41' Morgan in Bocas Del Toro Panama.
I would love to get it to Isla Mujeres Mexico.
It is not ready to sail by herself without more work.
But she will stay above water and her engine/transmission run.
Is it possible to tow a boat this far? If so, what would it cost?
Thanks for any ideas.
The best solution would be to jury rig the engine controls/steering to go on her own power.
If you can, set up a small steadying sail on the main

THEN, hire a small , but seagoing tug or fishing boat to accompanying you as a back up for the trip in case you have problems.
Good luck!
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Old 28-12-2015, 03:06   #8
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

It might be more practical and inexpensive to have it shipped as deck cargo on a cargo ship - and tow it to and from the nearest commercial ports.
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Old 28-12-2015, 04:12   #9
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

i am taking a broken boat north from barra to mazatlan, it is 300 miles. no towing isnot an answer. i am making sure the things that will kill me are done so i can motor the boat north and east.
might wanna consider doing that. and mexican or local crew--they can keep a boat above the water while underway.
morgan is a solid boat. make sure the engine runs, one sail, at least, is functional, packing gland serves well and other sinkme stuff is nn ot gonna happen. toilet, have plugs for sink thru hulls, check masts, steering, make sure engine is perfect, then search ffro anything gonn a dead ye. make sure electricals are working, and motor to your destination. and a budddy boat. pelagic aint stoopit.

that 900 miles is not an easy trip without towing a boat.
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Old 28-12-2015, 04:35   #10
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

No to towing. What happens when towing neither boat is happy. 900 miles will seem like 10,000 miles.

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Old 28-12-2015, 06:23   #11
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

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Originally Posted by tuffr2 View Post
No to towing. What happens when towing neither boat is happy. 900 miles will seem like 10,000 miles.

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How much experience have you had with offshore towing?
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Old 28-12-2015, 11:33   #12
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

I have towed boats twice. One about 5 miles and one 15 miles. Both times a rope was tied to the strean of the towing boat (mine) and the bow of the boat out of fuel.

Each took 10 times longer than anticipated.

Why are you asking?

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Old 28-12-2015, 12:00   #13
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

Because, as someone who has towed commercially, including across oceans....I found your statement rather absolute!
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Old 28-12-2015, 12:04   #14
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

It can be done but is it the best financially and practical way.


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Old 31-12-2015, 09:50   #15
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Re: Can you Tow a boat?

Yep...Thank you folks. This is pretty much the same conclusion I'd come up to. Towing that far is a non starter.
I'd love to have this big fat girl in Isla or Texas but I'm afraid it just doesn't make cents. I've put a lot of money and labor in her but she still needs a lot to be safe "out there". I think I'm better off taking my $$ hit (ouch), writing it off to Education and looking for something closer to home and closer to being ready to sail. I like the idea of putting her on the deck of a cargo ship but I think that would be an entire new Education experience in it's self and I've had enough of those for a little bit.
Thanks again folks. E
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