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Old 29-07-2011, 09:16   #1
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Towing a Tender

I'm considering the idea of towing an 18' Boston Whaler behind my 49' motorsailer (I know this is probably not conventional but I'm not a purest sailor by any means!)Seems to me it would be a blast to have a motorboat to fish from while in the islands instead of a little dink although I wouldn't want a Whaler running up my derriere in a following sea. Anybody ever consider or have any knowledge of using a solid tow rig verses a line? Is there such a thing? Just a thought...not that I've seen one but you know "necessity is the mother of invention".
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:24   #2
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Re: Towing a tender

can you fit the whaler on your boat somewhere so it will still be yours by the time you arrive wherever you are going???? do you have a davit/crane installed yet?? if not-- do it and keep the whaler from disappearing or beating th c*** out of your hull....is also safer to stow it when yer in a place wherein folks eye your engine with green eyed envy and bolt cutters.......
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:25   #3
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Re: Towing a tender

I have used a solid tow rig to tow several vehicles through the mountins in Central America. The solid Part (2m piece of pipe) and a chain on the inside. I would think this could be used on a tender as well. How about 2 PVC 3" x 10 ft attached to the PT and Stb bow cleats on the whaler and a central attachment on rthe stern. This will allow movement but prevent the whaler from comming up on the big boat when it slows or stops. Cheap enough to try.
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:26   #4
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Re: Towing a tender

Zee is correct although ifin I'm lazy I'll tow my 13 foot carolina skiff
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:28   #5
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Re: Towing a tender

wow-let me follow you and have salvage rights.......
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:31   #6
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Re: Towing a tender

Two things, towing a dinghy/tender behind your boat generally negates any insurance coverage you might have on that dinghly/tender. And you have a high probability of losing or causing significant damage to it if you encounter any large waves and/or winds.
- - However, it you are extremely conservative about your weather windows and only go out when conditions are quite mild, then you should have a reasonable chance of it being fine towing.
- - But check carefully your insurance policy, if you have one, as it is quite common these days for an "exception" to be included to remove coverage from any towed dinghy/tender. The addendums to the policy can change what is in the basic body of the insurance policy.
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:32   #7
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Re: Towing a tender

It is routine to see 100Ft + motoryachts towing a 25 -30 ft center console in the bahamas. However they generally have a real long tow line and a crew to fetch it up before heading into a harbor.
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:33   #8
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Re: Towing a tender

I just did a couple of weeks in the islands towing my Boston Whaler 11.5 Supersport. It towed surprisingly well on a bridle. I think a solid tow rig would drive you crazy when sailing in light airs. Be careful when backing down on an anchor in rough weather if you have a counter stern. My Whaler needs a new rubrail. The kids loved it!
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:38   #9
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Re: Towing a tender

i think the Whaler is far to large and heavy to put on deck or on the davits since total weight with the engine is about a ton but perhaps I'm wrong.

I figured I'd throw the question out there and see if someone has done this before with success.
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:40   #10
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Re: Towing a tender

I was thinking the solid tow rig for the ICW. Once offshore you can drop the Whaler back as far as needed. If your just heading to the Bahamas or somwhere close you just pick your weather carefully. I have made a few runs to the Bahamas and could have towed a houseboat. Other times .... oh well, lets not go there.
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Old 29-07-2011, 09:49   #11
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Re: Towing a tender

Boat with "dinghy" in tow, having left Victoria for the treacherous waters of Strait of Juan de Fuca.

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Old 29-07-2011, 09:51   #12
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Re: Towing a tender

Now you're thinkin' the way I'm thinking. I figure while motoring in the ICW I'd need it close and completely controllable. I've got ropeinc.com working on the tow line design so I'll see what they come up with. When hanging off the hook again I'd like to have it hooked again to a solid rig and hopefully keep the horse thieves off it.

As for light wind sailing... Dream just doesn't do it... Guess that's why Henry put a 120 hp diesel in her... putt putt..putt putt...
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Old 29-07-2011, 10:11   #13
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Re: Towing a tender

The same rig for towing could be used to hold it off on the side when at anchor, One pole aft one forward and a bit of bunge. Perhaps PVC is to crude. Aluminum or Carbon fiber would look better on one of o'l Henry's boats.
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Old 29-07-2011, 10:18   #14
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Re: Towing a tender

will you be able to lift that thing out of water to keep from having bandidos snip it and run????
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Old 29-07-2011, 10:29   #15
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Re: Towing a tender

Ok I think I got it...a custom lockable stainless steel pintle hitch mounted on the stern attached to a custom stainless steel and carbon fiber tow bar complete with security hardware, safety cables, alarm system, barking Lou'dog, and a stainless and synthetic 300 Winchester magnum loaded with 165 grain Nosler partition ballistic tips...."they shoot horse thieves, don't they?"
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