89 Bayliner Capri Towing

[gregmsr]

I have this 89 Capri just bought lately. First boat.
Question:
Can I tow tubes/skies using the two tie down rings on the transom? The two rings used to tie boat to trailer.
I don't have any other way to tow unless I mount two rings further up on back.
If I use the two existing rings won't the tow rope be under water and too close to the prop? Is this possible?

 

[rondi]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

Nope. The skier will be pulling the boat sideways along with the other problems you mentioned. Just go with one of these http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/SDG/SDG3716331.html
mounted on the top of the transom.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

Thanks. I have an O/B motor so I guess i'll have to mount two, one on each side. The fiberglass is not very thick where they need to be mounted so I guess i'll have to install a wood or metal plate on the inside to prevent pulling through or cracking.
Any suggestions on mounting?

Thanks for the link, G

 

[rondi]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

If you have an outboard then all you need is one of these handy harness or bridals
http://www.skitube.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=354

 

[gregmsr]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

Thanks again. I looked at the link and saw the tow rope. They say just attach to the two stern eyes. They are the two eyes used to strap the boat to the trailer right? Hince my original question, "can I use these for towing"? Will the rope be under water while towing? Do I need to mount two other eyes? Looks like this product will work but just making sure.

 

[rondi]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

It floats until your boat gets on plane which is when the stern eyes should be out above the water line.
Have fun

 

[MortenH]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

Hello

I would have used the cleats on the back of each side of your boat. Use a rope tied between them so that it makes a V behind the motor and tie the ski rope to the middle of this rope. Ive done this - easy setup and no problems keeping the rope out of the prop.

-M-

 

[gregmsr]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

I was using cleats to pull with but i'm afraid they are not strong enough. Seemed to loosen them up. I checked them and one was loose. When trying to re-tighten it the screws seemed to be on the verg of stripping out. Afraid to use them for towing. Maybe I can re-mount them with larger screws.

 

[MortenH]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

Well, they are supposed to hold your boat while docking, so I think it is time to fix. 8)

-M-

 

[gregmsr]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

I think there's a difference between holding boat at dock and pulling tubes. But I do need to investigate there tightness.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

Hello

I would have used the cleats on the back of each side of your boat. Use a rope tied between them so that it makes a V behind the motor and tie the ski rope to the middle of this rope. Ive done this - easy setup and no problems keeping the rope out of the prop.

-M-

 

[jsmalcolm]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

How did your boat hold up with the new set up?

 

[JAL51974]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

I used that harness rig on my Bayliner without problems. You do have to watch the take off though so that the harness doesn't get fouled in the prop.

 

[mixerjv]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

"Can I tow tubes/skies using the two tie down rings on the transom? The two rings used to tie boat to trailer."

I do exactly that with my '89 cuddy 19' with no problem.

 

[robsp2000]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

I had used the harness off the transom tie down eyes for a year on my 88 Capri. I never had a problem with it getting stuck in the prop. I'm pretty sure you should not be using the cleats. They're not mean to pull that kind of weight.

The only problem I ran into is that it holds the tow rope low to the water and halfway back to the tube the rope will sometimes go under and create a fulcrum point so it actually spins the rider. They sell brackets that meet above the outboard to tow from. That would eliminate the rope from going under.

My new bayliner is an inboard and has a tow ring which works perfectly.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

Hello

I would have used the cleats on the back of each side of your boat. Use a rope tied between them so that it makes a V behind the motor and tie the ski rope to the middle of this rope. Ive done this - easy setup and no problems keeping the rope out of the prop.

-M-

Instead of screws you can use bolts with washers on the inside of the hull.Thats how mine is. look and see. Starb & Port

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: 89 Bayliner Capri Towing

I use my cleats to tow (18ft Capri, 90HP o/b) with no problems whatsoever. If your cleats are loose, remount them with longer stainless machine screws and washers/nuts inside the hull. The pull angle is great, rope always stays above the water. I use the Water Devil harness, its pulley keeps the tension evened out on the cleats, even when in tight turns and it floats nicely so I can see that it's not going to foul the prop.

Good Luck!