Re: towing a boat
I have towed boats twice my weight many times and that boat will weight twice what your boat does.<br /><br />Yes you must go slow about 5 MPH but here we are talking Water Speed not GPS speed. So if you have a 3mph tide it may help you or almost stop you.<br /><br />Stern Eye bolts normaly pretty strong but check them and make sure they thru bolts not screws and they have big backing washers or a backing plate so they do not pull out. Do not use you stern deck Cleats.<br /><br />If you do not have a towing bridle then you need to make one so you can turn. If you just tie to one side or the other you will not be able to steer your boat. If your stern deck cleats are good and strong then you can use them. Take a short peice of line and at least 3/8 inch (1/2 inch better) and tie to one deck cleat go down to stern eye on that same side and go thru it twice. Now go to other stern eye and go thru it twice, leave enough slack to let line run about 4 feet behind stern then tie off to other stern cleat. If you have any floats you can add them to this line just to make sure has no chance of getting in your prop should you stop or back up. Going thru your stern eyes twice will take most of the strain off you deck cleats. One other reason for useing stern eyes is if tow line should break then better chance the line will hit the back of the boat instead of the people on board. Now Your tow line is tied in a loop around the center of you towing bridle, This way it can slide from side to side to allow you to turn better. If you have any swell adjust the length of tow line so sailboat is on the same part of the next swell as your boat is. When you get to your destination go dead slow and keep line up out of motor. Shorten your tow line. Also need to check the bow eye on the sailboat and make sure it has big backing washers or a backing plate. Bow Eyes normaly very strong.<br /><br />Towing can be very dangerous. Nylon line works fine but if you should pull to hard the nylon line can be deadly. It will streach and if it breaks if will fly at your boat and can break limbs or knock someone over board. On my boat all would wear Life Jackets but then in large water we alway wear them. <br /><br />On the Sailboat I think you should have at least one on board with a radio. They should have a good anchor just in case.<br /><br />Use the largest tow line you have if it is in good shape.<br /><br />If you have a lower pitch prop use it for this tow. Make sure you have twice the fuel you expect to use. Since you have a kicker I would also start it and add some power. Since your motor will be way over proped to pull this weight take it easy and use both motors.
