Tender Tow Line

[Sadey]

We have a 14' Gala RIB that I'd like the option of towing for short stints. I would prefer to purchase the complete rig ready to go. Any suggestions down here in FLL of where to buy?

 

[Retired1]

We have a 14' Gala RIB that I'd like the option of towing for short stints. I would prefer to purchase the complete rig ready to go. Any suggestions down here in FLL of where to buy?

I used to tow a 15’ Hobie Power Skiff with a 75hp Yamaha. I had Sailorman in Ft. Lauderdale make me up a long 1” yellow polypropylene rig, that was braided to rope where it was run through the tow eye of the tender, then up across the boat to where it shackled onto tow eyes on the transom on the tender (in case something failed). Then also braided to rope with shackles to attach to the transom cleats of the big boat. Wanted the line that touched the water to float, and be visible.
I cinched the whole rig tight on the swim platform when in Marinas.
I think they’re still there.

 

[Sadey]

Funny, I walk through SM at least once a week looking for whatever it is I can't live without. Never thought about them. They have a bunch of used tow lines but all for large CC type tenders. I'll ask next time I'm there. Thank you.

 

[Dan Mapes]

For short stints? Like for a short stint do you really want to let the dink out on a long leash? Having come through West Palm passing by the marinas and Peanut on Memorial Day weekend, I can attest you don't want the dink on a long leash in many places. I'd save that for hops outside or long runs on lakes. You will still need someone to haul it in, or drive the boat while you haul it in and they had better be experienced boat handlers no matter which role they are in.
Canals with locks?
Have help aboard that can haul it in close. Ditto other scenarios.
In between islands or cays in the Exumas or etc.? Sure. About the only time we left it on a long leash in the States was crossing Okeechobee. Long runs in the canal across Florida were better done with it on the davit even though it stuck out on the stbd side.
I get the idea that it will save effort when moving from one spot to another but in reality the stress of managing a tow is up there.

 

[Sadey]

Many of the marinas we frequent on Green Bay are less then 30 miles apart and we hop from one to the next occasionally so I'd rather tow then load and unload for the those short hops.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Dave,
I tow a 13 Whaler with a 1/2 anchor line. Shackle it to the bow and then tie it to one aft cleat and let it out longer after I get onto Lake Michigan. Then bring it back in once I get into the next harbor before getting into tight quarters docking. You really don't need any thing special for what you're talking about. I've done it this way for the last 30 years without incident and we've been out in some pretty nasty stuff.

 

[rsmith]

You want yellow polypropylene fatter the better not that you need the strength but it floats and you can see it better. Plus easy to grab and pull. I’ve got a 1” setup. If towed everything from my 13 whaler to a 58 YF but you need to keep it in a container out of the sun.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Not that you want something as hoaky as what I'm about to tell you, but it did work.

I just used a couple 20 or 25 ft 5/8 lines and some pool noodles from the dollar store. For $5 I had the floating part covered. Put a couple knots in the line to keep the noodles near the boat.
Looks: bad Functionality: worked perfect. At tow I tied to the rear cleats on the boat. At dock I would reel the dinghy in and tie to the aft deck stainless uprights.

 

[Sadey]

So if I made a Y tied to both aft cleats then a length of line, preferably a floater to a shackle attached to the bow eye I should be good? How long should the line/floater be? The RIB is an aluminum hull and the bow eye is welded so I’m guessing I’m good there.

 

[Steve Mannshardt]

Broward Machine fabricated a towing eye for my Whaler Montauk. Bought the towing bridle from them as well. First class products.

 

[Sadey]

Funny, didn’t know they did tow lines. I had them make a few polished stainless wind screen supports for my fly bridge. I’ll agree, first rate.

 

[Bugsy]

We towed a BW 21 Montauk behind our 43 Convertible to and from the Bahamas. We reinforced the tow eye and got our tow line from Miami Cordage. They know what they're doing and will counsel you appropriately having regard to intended use.

 

[bigbill]

i made a bridle out of 3/4 nylon that i had left over from making dock lines, made the tow line from 1/2 nylon that i had laying around. has worked great for about 10 years, if i do it again i will use the yellow poly so it floats. never had a problem until the last time i towed the dinghy for an overnight trip, overnight some time the dinghy must have swung around and the 1/2 line got wrapped around the prop shaft if the hatt... i had to untie it and drop the end in the water to pull it free