To Take or Not to Take ?

[fenceguy2]

I am thinking about buying a 30' seidelmann.

I plan on using it for cruising down the florida coast/keys and maybe over to the bahamas.


I have a 15' flats boat with a 40 hp that I would like to take with me for diving/fishing etc just looking for peoples thoughts on if this is doable?

many thanks
Fenceguy

[boatman61]

Might be difficult lifting it onto the foredeck...
You'd be ok towing up to a F4 I'd think... over that somethings gonna break..

[Tellie]

Yeah, Uh, Idunno, Maybe in really flat seas, but you'd need the same condtions coming back. I personally wouldn't pull a flats boat across the stream with a sail boat. They're just not open water baots. But I've seen stranger things.

[sailvayu]

Towing a boat that size and weight will put a heavy load on any towing gear. In open water you would have to use a long towing line. It would also seriously slow you down. Considering the problems with towing an open boat and the slower speed this all ads up to some serious safety issues. Not to mention if the tow breaks you have lost an expensive boat and motor. I would rethink that plan.

[zeta]

Tow the flats boat to the Keys and put in storage until ready for use. In protected waters it would be okay, specially if you are anchoring a lot. Many flats boats make the trip to the bahamas on their own...jets skis do it.! But for me, a nice RIB inflatable with a 25 hp would be perfect for scooting all over and easier tow rig.....

[casual]

A quick,note I towed my Zodiac 11'6" with a 15 hp home one year from the Bahamas as we stoped to dive for supper at Sandy key,Made a night crossing didn't take time to hoist the dink on board,Had the Stream with me and calm condtions From Sandy Key to St Lucie inlet usually take 9 hours took 11 pulling the Dink.My boat a C&C 36 with M 4 30 universial diesel.I could only guess a 30 ft boat towing a flats boat with a 40 hp would really slow you down

[easterly38]

We sometimes use a 10' fiberglass boat and tow it behind our sailboat. It really bothers me and I find myself constantly looking back and checking on it. If a squall popped up, i feel like it would quickly become an anchor and we would have to cut it loose. I would strongly prefer an inflatable dinghy and will eventually buy one, even though they look like somewhat of a pain to inflate/set up.
For me, there are enough things to worry about while sailing without throwing something else into the mix. But, you may very well be more seasoned and comfortable while sailing than me as I've only been sailing a few years.

[Vasco]

If you try to tow that flat boat to the Bahamas chances are it will be lost. Sooner or later you will run into some bad weather, especially on the crossings. I once found an overturned fiberglass catamaran dink with about a 25 or 30 hp Yamaha motor on it off Great Sale Cay on my way home. All I could do was report its position as the conditions were too rough to attempt retrieving it although it was very tempting. I had seen this dink a few days prior, it had been nested under the back end of a big power cat.

[fenceguy2]

thanks for all the input. Kinda figured It would be safer to buy an inflatable.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by fenceguy2

thanks for all the input. Kinda figured It would be safer to buy an inflatable.

It will certainly make for a better diving platform. Not a bad fishing platform either.

Do yourself a favor and get something that you can lash upside-down on the foredeck. It's always good to have options.

[zeehag]

roll up inflatable makes a great platform for working and diving and is stable.... easy to stow on deck so isnt lost at sea..... smooth sailing.

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by fenceguy2

thanks for all the input. Kinda figured It would be safer to buy an inflatable.

Good decision. Never tow anything you would hesitate to cut loose if things get bad. Might be a tougher call with something like that... might cost you your boat (or more) in the wrong circumstances.