Towing a dinghy

[circa1971la]

I know there’s many opinions about this but wondering what people suggest here.

Sailing a 25’ to Catalina. Considering towing my 8’Mercury (without the outboard attached)as not much storage for it on deck.. I’d plan to tow it over in calm conditions likely but the issue is there’s just one D-ring on the bow. So..

1) Would you advise running two lines from the bow in a “V-configuration“ to each side of the sailboat transom?

2) Should the dingy be snug against the stern to keep it more contiguous or let out a distance? There‘s a spade rudder so no interference with a rudder on the stern

Thank you

[Montanan]

References:

https://www.liveabout.com/how-to-tow...%20the%20water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmTech25W8g&t=5s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMMG...ature=emb_logo

[NYSail]

Prior to my arch I always towed my dinghy. Had a mercury and used 2 separate lines from the dinghy and brought to each stern cleat to keep tender behind the boat. Had them long enough that I could adjust as needed….. never had an issue even in some snotty weather.

Good luck
Greg

[circa1971la]

Thank you so much Greg.. Does it really slow down the boat by 1kt or are there just too may variables to estimate that?

[flyingfin]

Take the motor off and put the dinghy on deck when at the dock or in harbour where you have calm water. If conditions change, and while trying to handle sails, rain gear, loose items in the cabin, compass heading, GPS malfunctions, rudder control and the dinghy, you will become fully aware of Murphys Law.

And what is Plan B when that D-ring fails?? Is it hard bottom or inflatable?

[Oeanda]

Originally Posted by dylanpaul26

Does it really slow down the boat by 1kt or are there just too may variables to estimate that?

One knot sounds about right as does the rest. It’s fine most of the time, but feels extremely vulnerable when it’s not fine anymore. Most of the time it’s totally doable. It’s just the remainder of the time that’s a problem.
Kinda describes everything in life though hey…