OK to tow inflatable with motor on?

[true blue]

Instruction manuals say not to do it, but I see many ignoring it. Its awkward taking the motor off and putting it on again at the destination. I was wondering how many boaters cheat and just tow it with the motor on or if someone has had a bad experiance(or never).

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: OK to tow inflatable with motor on?

Instruction manuals say not to do it, but I see many ignoring it. Its awkward taking the motor off and putting it on again at the destination. I was wondering how many boaters cheat and just tow it with the motor on or if someone has had a bad experiance(or never).

If towing your sib/engine by road, engine must be vertical assuming transom has a good lower support as on top of a trailer and sib is correctly inflated, if towing sib/engine on water, raise and lock engine at it's highest position and turn engine head to rest at any side.

Not a single bad experience towing both ways.

Happy Boating

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: OK to tow inflatable with motor on?

I tow my zodiac extended distances and on four wheel drive trails. I raise my outboard, because ground clearance is a big deal. I do use a transom saver. What you don't say is what type of inflatable you have. Some boats might not be up to leaving the outboard installed, particularly those rated for very small outboards and those that don't have a full solid transom. It also depends a lot on the distance and road conditions. For a short spin almost anything goes...

 

[true blue]

Re: OK to tow inflatable with motor on?

what i meant to say was towing behind a boat, maybe at a good clip. The transom is glued to the two side pontoons.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: OK to tow inflatable with motor on?

The only risk you take is ripping the d-rings off the bow. Be sure you're using a bridle with a pulley so it distributes the load evenly. The best method to tow these boats is very close up and even with the bow of your sib up on your swim platform if you have one. That will allow you to tow on plane if you wish. If you tow it with any length of line payed out, tow at no wake speeds only or you will damage your boat.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: OK to tow inflatable with motor on?

what i meant to say was towing behind a boat, maybe at a good clip. The transom is glued to the two side pontoons.

You will need to distribute towing pull evenly in lateral d'rings and bow super d'ring, cut a large V rope, tie extremes to both lateral d'rings and pass the middle portion to form a untied loop in bow super d'ring, attach a rope long enough and a float some meters after engine so not to entangle down rope into propeller. You must pull at slow speed with sib completely empty and raised engine or you will surely pull d'rings off from patches

Happy Boating

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: OK to tow inflatable with motor on?

Saw one big boat towing an inflatable with the outboard on....one problem..
the inflatable was upsidedown in the water

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: OK to tow inflatable with motor on?

Saw one big boat towing an inflatable with the outboard on....one problem..
the inflatable was upsidedown in the water

Probably too much muscle engine and extreme short towing line

Happy Boating