towing the dinghy distance

[Jane]

Wonder if anybody has experience with a dinghy-tow: http://www.dinghy-tow.com/about.htm

[Catigale]

That device is putting a lot of mass up high on our lightly ballasted boats

High mass>> high cg >> less stability....

[JohnCFI]

That device is putting a lot of mass up high on our lightly ballasted boats

High mass>> high cg >> less stability....

Not sure that the almost upside down stowage is that good for the tenders engine either, at least the fuel will leak if not the engine oil too.

[yukonbob]

There are a few similar ones in our harbour, but they are on powerboats and the dingy is mounted sideways. The dink clips in somehow and two lines pull it up and lock into place. Have to take the OB off. Neat concept but don’t know how practical it would be on our boats.

[Three Gypsies]

We towed an 8 foot 'Sinbad The Sailer ' dinghy from Montgomery Ala to Key West and back .
Our Dinghy is light weight fiberglass , equipped with a battery , solar cell , and electric motor . Most of the time we kept the equipment in the dinghy . The only time we stripped it was to cross back and forth across the Gulf .

We also took a jumbo size swim noodle , slit it long ways , and mounted on the bow as a bumper . This saved wear and tear when the dinghy bumped the stern or when it ran into buoys .

We had very good luck with our setup .

On past cruises we attempted to tow two 12' sit inside kayaks . This was a nightmare . The two kayaks had cockpit covers , but the covers would hold water eventually cave in and then the kayaks would fill with water . I won't even go into the problems of towing TWO boats .

We miss having our kayaks with us , but the Sinbad is much less problems .

I towed ours about 20 feet behind the boat . Gas consumption didn't rise enough to notice .

[Jane]

The vid clip for the dinghy-tow shows the bow in the water with only the stern raised during the tow mode. It appears that the dinghy is pivoted completely out of the water only when not underway, e.g., at a slip. Seems like a potentially versatile design.

[DaveB]

I have a Zodiac 7.8 with twin tubes and tow as you do. Docking I bring the bow up to motor with the twin bridle.
You never feel a drag and dink loves it.
My 2.5 hp Suziki outboard is on my stearn bracket on my MacX.
The Zodiac has high pressure inflatable floor with Keel. Great for 2-3 persons.
Easy to inflate on our small Boat. 36lbs, Storage is small.
I can plane it on my 2.5 hp with 250 lbs. (8-10 knots)
Dave

We use a three man inflatable kayak or a 8 foot inflatable SeaEagle. In both cases, I pull the bow up out of the water and tie a very short line to the stern cleat. Only the stern of either inflatable touches the water. I hardly notice the difference sailing or motoring.

TEHO

Ken

[mastreb]

I too have the 8' zodiac (in West Marine brand). Rolls up easily and stores on the stbd side of the V-berth out of the way, so its always onboard and we don't have to think about bringing it or not. Inflates with the foot pump in the cockpit in 5 minutes easily. Stores upside down on the bow and the jib tacks over it no problem. Tows easily behind the boat using a longer dock line cleated to one of the gunnels.

It's the perfect tender for these boats IMHO.

[Catigale]

Finally found that link, which has Sumners much more elegant solution too.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... lit=Towbar

Keywords

Towing dinghy tender towbar Cuttyhunk