Towing - (another boat)

[UpstNYer]

Happened on a disabled Cuddy Cabin I/O today while fishing in my little 16' Deep V. Towed him a few miles to the dock. Didn't push it too hard, my new Merc 90 Classic is still breaking in with extra oil. He was about 20' long and probably twice my weight so I kept engine RPM down around 2200. Took about 20 minutes to get back.<br /><br />Don't have a temp gauge and couldn't reach back and feel Pee stream temp, so don't know how hard I was working the engine. Was wondering if anyone has tips on how to handle this situation to minimize engine stress. Was probably lugging the engine, but didn't want to push it any harder.<br /><br />Got a little dicey at the public launch ramp. He released the rope close in and moving slowly, but there was a storm approaching so boats were everywhere. Wind was blowing him into the dock as well. It ended well, but I came away with respect for the guy's boat handling ability. He had zero steerage.<br /><br />I'm sure lots of Iboaters have towed and been towed. What's worked for you? ....and what hasn't?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

You probably wouldn't notice anything different with the pee stream. I think your rpms were about right but the speed is almost best determined by feel. A lot depends on the weight of the tow & towed boat, sea consitions, wind and towing bridle.<br /><br />A short tale - Some years ago we are on our way back accross Biscayne Bay south of Miami. About a miles from the marina I see this inflatable sitting in the water with the motor cover off. There was an older guy on board with a young honey that probably was not his daughter. They were waving frantically at me so I went over expecting to tow them into the marina. When I got to them I offered the tow. They gladly accepted but they wanted a tow back to their yacht at Elliot Key, about six miles behind me. Seems they were out of booze. I told them that I would advise the dockmaster of their plight when I got in but as they were in no damger I was not going to make a booze run for them. I don't know what the dockmaster did.

 

[DJ]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

It's fine. Don't worry about it. <br /><br />A good work out is just what the 2-stroke doctor ordered.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

Moving to Boat Questions.

 

[moderator1]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

jtexas <br />Chief Petty Officer <br />Member # 34227 <br /><br /> posted June 14, 2004 01:29 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Reading Mr. LF's towing question made me realize that if I ever get in a situation where somebody needs a tow, I won't really know what I'm doing.<br /><br />Is there a general rule that we can follow about towing? I won't leave a distressed boater dead in the water & obviously want to care for my equipment. Is 1/2 throttle a rule of thumb? I don't have a tach on my 70hp.<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw<br /><br />--------------------<br />Women want me<br />Fish fear me.<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 435 | From: Arlington, TX | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />moderator1 <br />Moderator <br />Member # 17886 <br /><br /> posted June 14, 2004 01:35 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />This thread is being combined with a thread in Boat Questions that asks the same question. <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 723 | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged |

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

Moderator,<br /><br />The rule of thumb I was told was as follows, Never tow any faster than would cause the tow-er or the tow-ee to begin to plane off. (first initial lift). Usually not more than 5-6mph.<br /><br />Use a line that is long enough to have the towed boat ride at least one set of waves behind or a minimum of twice the length of the larger of the two boats length, so the boats rise and fall in seas together at similar rates, and use a line that is strong enough for the job but provides maximum flex.<br /><br />The boat that tows should always secure the tow line at 2 or more points.<br /><br />In the examples case, a boat in distress has right of way, and if they would have tied off side to side he might have been able to drive the distressed boat right to the ramp under power. Knowing that many boaters are rude and don't know the rules I suppose getting the self rightous out of the way may have been a problem.

 

[airman]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

Maybe someone else has heard otherwise but I was taught that a stretchy line (like nylon) is to be avoided and poly or steel is better. True, the spring action is nicer to the boat, but if the line ever parts the line with more flex will snap back with violent force. When a rope with no flex parts, it basically just flops down instead of springing back. I'm not looking for a fight, but I would be interested to hear other opinions. All ski ropes are poly, and the tugs I work with all use poly for pulling barges, but the owner's kind of cheap, and for all I know, that's the real reason he uses it. (And it stays out of the props better!)

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

The reason I was told to use line with give is because most boats are not designed for towing and the cleats are not mounted in the same way as a tugs ballard is mounted. The boat being towed can hook to the trailer eye which is typically stonger than most cleats.<br /><br />I could be wrong, just what I was taught as a kid, and I have practiced since. I would love for someone who knows better to post, I carry all kinds of line and what I would use is up to me. (Poor wording, what I mean is I have both Braid on braid, and three braid, and I would like to use the right one) Perhaps there are different techniques for different conditions/locations. (Rivers vs Ocean)

 

[Ross J]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

Good advice already. I'll add my 02c worth, on approaching the ramp stop the tow and 'raft up' (tie him alongside your boat) and move gently into the dock like that. It's the safest way to keep control of both boats at close quarters.<br />Ross

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

When towing, I always tie to the lower unit of the motor where it contacts the boat at the lowest point. After all, in the case of an outboard, it's the motor that does the pushing. The boat just hangs on for dear life.<br /><br />Also, the motor on the towed boat is a drag and useless for steering. I tell the towee to pull his motor up, have a beer, and enjoy the ride.

 

[HEDJUG]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

My 2 cents,<br />Use the eye hooks on a transom, not the cleats. Cleats are not typically designed for that type of load and may fail.<br />Also, you are responsible for the vessel and passangers being towed. If it hits something or sinks.... <br />Hed

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

HEDJUG,<br /><br />I think that towing a distress boat is covered by good samaritan laws. It is also the responsibility of the captain of the distressed boat to dictate the tow or refuse. The major responsiblity is with him.<br /><br />I agree if you have lifting rings on the transom that is a better way to go!!<br /><br />For the reason you outlined, is why you run a bridle to at least two cleats so that if one fails you have control over the cleat that broke with the bridle line.<br /><br />Not picking arguements but the boat being towed does have steerage with the outdrive as it acts as a rudder, it is slow to respond but it is a control surface as long as there is water passing over it.

 

[jmattor]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

Pointer94, Not to pick arguments either, while there is some control with an I/O or direct drive the boat doesn't have the same steerage when being towed. You can crank the wheel all the way over and all you will do is move the boat over to that side of the wake. It's like a hooked fish, it's going to follow it's nose when it's pulled.<br />Of course when the boat is let loose and still has momentum it will have a bit of steerage, but only while it's moving. So side tying is recommended for close quarters manuvering.<br />And in the case of a jet drive....no steerage at all, zip, zero, nada.<br /><br />Use the bow eye on the towed boat if there is one. It will help keep the bow up and the boat from submarining.<br /><br />When towing it pays to have a safety line from another tow point if you have one. Let it stay slack. That way if the primary fails, or starts to slip, you will see it and of course, won't lose the boat.<br /><br />And remember to leave as much room as you reasonably can...the boat being towed has no brakes! I've seen a few rear-enders in my time.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

My experience is that if the outdrive leg is up, the towed boat will wander all over the place and will be difficult to control. I think it works much better to leave the drive down in neutral to minimize the wandering and just put up with a little extra drag. This may be more of a problem if the boat being towed is larger.

 

[BillP]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

Me too, no offense implied or intended and no fight being picked here either. <br /><br />My take is you tow safely...as fast or slow as you want. Towing small vessels is best done with nylon to absorb shock on cleats, etc.. It is also a good way to keep the towline tight. The only reason large towboats use cable is it's cheaper, stronger, and stores in less space. All hands should stand clear of towlines as if they were going to break regardless of material. Towing alongside is fine and dandy but prone to damaging the boats. I would use that as a last resort. Towing location on the stern wave is typically done to keep the boat from broaching and/or the lines tight to maintain good trailing. <br /><br />About the stretchy nylon...I have personally seen a leg broken when the 1" nylon tow boat line parted and whipped back to hit the capt of the disabled boat. He was standing on the bow watching but not staying safe. It took 10 months for his leg to heal. It's definitely something to be aware of. I don't think the good sam act covers negligence or being too stupid, so you still have to tow right. <br /><br />Hurting a motor by towing someone a few hours doesn't seem to fit with all the towing that's gone on for decades. Tach a motor at full speed while tied to the dock and you will find very little difference from running free at wide open throttle. Small 6hp ob motors push big 6000k lb sailboats under heavy load and don't seem to suffer a bit, etc. I don't think the engine is lugged that much harder while towing to make it a serious problem. Just my take.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

Do you ever wonder why the coast guard doesn't at least check in on this site for a professional prospective? I would be a benefit and good PR for them!!

 

[BillP]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

Hey Pointer94,<br />My "take" on towing is basically what was taught to me by the USCG when testing for my merchant marine ratings.<br />BillP

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

BillP,<br /><br />Thanks, Knowing peoples background is sometimes very helpful when looking for the best advise. With todays construction techniques, a line that stretches just seems to make sense as well as the ability of the line to keep a strain.<br /><br />You are right, the good sam laws don't protect you from neglegence or gross neglegence. By sharing the correct techniques (I hope ) we may be saving some of our friends from lawsuits.

 

[Wreck Rider]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

The course I took here in Canada taught to use a floating line with little or no stretch, that makes polypropylene the only practical choice. Floating avoids fouling and no stretch is for the already described danger of a broken line also breaking something else!

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Towing - (another boat)

OK, I'll chime in. I'm in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and proper towing is one of the "skills" we're expected to learn, practice and do well. So far this year, I've towed 5 boats, and it's only the middle of June...<br /> The following is sort of like asking someone what time it is, then getting an explanation of how clocks work.... <br /><br />First, you shouldn't tow faster than the displacement speed of the towed boat. On a 20' boat, that's about 5-6 mph. Pulling a boat until it's up on plane is a good way to court damage to either/both boats. Displacement tows won't cause any stress on the towing boat's engine, either.<br /><br />2nd: That was good advice about attaching the tow line to the bow eye of the towed boat. Too many boats have improper backing for their cleats. My boat has good backing on the stern cleats, so I use them; some CGAux boats have samson cleats for that purpose. A ski/board boat almost always has strong cleats/posts for towing. Never seen tying to the motor; think that would be difficult for most boats.<br /><br />3rd: One ideal set-up for a stern tow would be to have a heavy poly-pro bridal (extending back from both stern cleats) on the towing boat (so it would float out of way of the propeller), then heavy braided nylon for the tow line. But unless you tow often, you won't have that set-up, so use whatever is handy. Yeah, the advantage of poly-pro is that it floats, but it's also the weakest line on your boat, and since it doesn't stretch, there is the potential for damage by slamming and jerking, especially in heavier water. We use heavy nylon which does stretch; most of the time, we're towing boats well under 60', so line breaking isn't an issue. <br />4: a side tow is the easiest for control, as well bringing the disabled boat into the dock. But unless you've practiced...and have lots of fenders...it's an easy way to damage boats. If you're not practiced, as Ross said, use the stern tow, cast loose near the dock, and then nudge/raft them in.<br /><br />Make sure everyone on the towed boat has their life jackets on, and don't be shy about telling your towee what you're doing and why. As previously stated, use lots of line and an extra, if possible.<br /><br />And this is one of those times when the courts have upheld the Good Samaritan laws. Don't test them by screwing up big time, but even if you're not confident of your abilities, you won't be punished by attempting to help someone out in the drink when they're truly in trouble.