Length of dinghy tow line

[JSS]

A few days ago we took delivery of a handsome looking 10-foot dinghy to serve as a tender for Baraka, our CD-27, as a sailing dinghy for my daugher and as a rowing dinghy for my wife.

Our new Bauer-10 sports a black hull and tanbark sails.

My question is what is the appropriate length and material for a tow line?

BoatUS/West Marine sells a Dinghy Tow Rope: "a double braided rope with a polypropylene core contained within an abrasion-resistant nyhlon jacket. Floats on top of water and stays flexible". This seems like a reasonable material. How long a line would I need to tow this 130 to 160 pound 10-ft fiberglass dinghy behind my CD27? Is a simple line attached to the stern cleat ok, or do I need to think about a towing bridle of some sort.

[Neil Gordon]

Two conventional wisdoms...

The length of a tow line should have the dinghy forward of the next wave crest, so that you're effectively towing it downhill rather than uphill. That said, if there's any sort of sea running, you shouldn't be towing the dinghy at all.

A floating line is best for towing. Otherwise when you stop/back, you'll suck the line into the prop.

It's best not to rely on a single tow line or attachment point. Failure of any one and the dingy will be on its own. A bridle with a "lazy" backup line works for me.

[Jim Davis]

I would add two more suggestions.
1. The tow point for a rigid dinghy should be as low as possible to lift the bow some and be a lot stronger than the manufacturer provided. I lost a Dyer when a beer can size piece sheared out of the bow.
2. Add a couple floats to the painter, even if it is polypropylene. Having sucked one into the prop, I can assure you extra flotation is better. Foam noodles make good floats and help keep the dinghy off of the transom.

[M. R. Bober]

I have towed a Bauer 10 with a CD27.
Couple of things:
The Bauer has two towing eyes mounted on the stem (one about 6" above the other. I used a pair of1/2" yellow poly tow lines, one from each stern cleat to a towing eye. You can trim the lines to center the tow. Yellow poly isn't very durable, but it floats.

I never towed the Bauer with its floor boards (too much extra weight). ALso never tow a dink with the outboard mounted.

I normally secured a pair of large fenders to the lifting eyes in the Bauer just in case of capsize.

I shortened the Bauer's boom about 2 inches. The rig now fits completely inside of the dink. I installed plugs to cap the mast and the boom.

The Bauer tows very well. Tracks true. Stays dry.

Both of your little ships should serve you well.
Every best wish,
Mitchell Bober
Sunny Annapolis ("Our Harbor is Dinky") MD

[JSS]

How far behind the transom does the dinghy usually ride? I understand that the dinghy rides one the crest of the bow wave following the boat (or on the second wave back ?), but how far from the stern of the boat are the first and second waves. I don't want to buy a piece of tow rope that is too short, or way too long.

Thanks.

[barfwinkle]

Hello

Well I use a 50' length of rope with an eye spliced into the middle. Then I use a carabinier to clip into the bow eye of the dink. This gives me 25' of line and a bridle (forming a vee with the apex at the dink) for better control while towing. I have yet to figure the optimum distance back, but the first or second wave appears to be working best (considering lakestate anyway).

I also use pool noodles when at anchor to fend off the dink from the mothership. I dont use them underway, too much drag!

FW Bill

[sakajote@msn.com]

I highly recommend Marlow Marston--it is a 100% Polypropylene which absorbs no water and hence floats indifinitely and has some stretch to absorb energy. I comes in bright yellow and orange as well as other colors. 5/16" is under $.50/ft. I also use 100ft attached to horseshoe life-saving bouy.

Yale is also making a new 100% nylon single braid called Nylon Brait.==advertised to have 75% greater energy absorption than 3 strand nylon and 85% more that double braid. It is exceptionlly easy on hand. I use this as a painter on my Star as the basin at SSA in Annapolis is oft like a washing machine.

Both are available at Annapolis Performance Sailing www.apsltd.com. I am not affiliated; just regular customer.

Regards, Dixon

[danno]

faster you go the further back the wave.

This is a guess but at 6knts it might be 20' back plus or minus a bit.



good luck.