Towing dinghy by centre console
Submitted by CCC on Tue, 2011-06-21 16:49
Hi all
Has anyone towed a aluminium dinghy(3-3.5m length) behind a aluminium boat about 5.5-6.0m in length. Planning another trip up now and want a dinghy to access shore as many of the water holes etc are hard to park up without banging up on rocks.
I have a small dinghy that I was thinking about adding air-o-floats to then tow this behind my centre console.
I'm interested in how this will affect fuel burn and general handling
Any info would be appreciated
Was thinking about an inflatable but think crocs may be an issue
Cheers
CCC
carnarvonite
Posts: 8667
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Fuel and speed
Its going to affect your fuel consumption because of the extra drag but more so on your speed. If you start getting above 14-16 knots it will have the tendency to start surfing your wake if you haven't got the length of tow line spot on and this can need changing as conditions change.
If there was a way to put the dinghy in or on the boat instead of towing it , I would say take it otherwise considering the hassles IMO leave it home.
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
thanks carnarvonite. cant get
thanks carnarvonite. cant get on boat and I dont want to leave it at home. I'll do some test runs and see if I can get it to work. Will ne an interesting trial.
CCC
carnarvonite
Posts: 8667
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Turned over
What about if you turn it over and place it directly over the bow of the big boat or get hold of an even smaller one that will fit.
Iceman
Posts: 747
Date Joined: 17/03/09
Tow set up
Have towed a lot of dinghys over the years so a couple of tips.
Don't secure the tow rope directly to the rear cleats. Use a bridle secured to both rear cleats and long enough to clear the engine. This will assit by keeping the dingy directly behind the CC.
Invest in good stainless steel hook and use this to secure to where you attach the trailer winch cable.
Don't go too long on the tow rope. Try between 10 and 15mtrs. Too long and the dingy will drift left & right towards your wake. Also conditions will determine length of tow, so have ability to lengthen tow particularly if you have a following sea.
As you stated best to test set up before you go.
Happy to discuss over phone if you want more info.
Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers - Level 1, 11 Hobsons Gate Currambine
0448122208
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
I have found using a
I have found using a triangular tow set up with two two ropes from the corners of your boat to nose of tender makes the towing easier and more stable. Also remember to lock the motor in the up position firmly or even remove and keep on main boat rather. It can act as a rudder and cause all sorts of issues and if the tender does flip, it ends up in the drink then.
another tip is to thread the tow line through a 3m length of hosepipe on each side, that way it stays straight and less inclinded to get tangled in your prop if you stop.
I now days put the tender on the roof of the hard top and rather keep it high and dry if I can.
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Pool "noodles" work a tread
Pool "noodles" work a tread to keep lines out of prop