Towing my 290 with Dinghy

[winstonwilliams]

I have a 290 Sea Ray that has developed a bad knock in the engine, so it needs a repower. I have to get this boat to the marina to get hauled for the engine swap, but I am not sure if the motor will make the 3-mile trip. My first thought was to get Sea Tow to tow me there, but then I thought about my little dinghy. I have a little inflatable with a 15hp motor. I have never tried to tow anything with it, but do you think it would tow my big boat the 3 miles to the marina on a calm day? I could always fire up the big engine if I get in trouble.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

Yes you should be able to pull i that far. Just don't be in any hurry.

 

[fishinpa]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

I have towed similar with my 14 ft flat bottom with a 15 hp 1982 johnson ,with a lil 3 blade prop!

Not fast or real smooth but it did it .


fish

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

Good weather, calm, take it really steady and you will get there.
My 2 cents

 

[JoLin]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

Don't stop short.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

use the tide and wind.
consider tying the dinghy along side rather than straight tow. But if you straight tow, make a harness so the boat is pulled directly behind.

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

Hey Gilligan! ............3 mile tour.......3 mile tour.

Seriously though, a 29' Searay.....15 hp dingy. I'm not sure I would bother with it....but to each his own I guess.

You may want to check or call your insurer as well, towing is included in most policies. Then there is always Boat US, which is a wise investment anyway. I only paid $35 last season. Keep in mind if you do choose to sign up, it's sorta like signing up for AAA, don't mention anything about the boat needing a tow right now. Wait a couple days, then call the 24 hr dispatch line for towing.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

yep should take about 3 hours wide open make sure you have an easy to sever the rope from either end in a hurry if something goes bad.... hmmm might not cut it from the big boat........ lol poor driver of the dingy could fall off the slingshot..

If you do have to fire up the engine just idle it and you have a better chance of making it

 

[Bondo]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

Ayuh,... I've got a 34' Nautiline Houseboat,... I've yet to even Try to start it's twin 318s...
I launch it each spring,+ tow it to it's mooring to used as a Guest cottage, moored in front of my riverhouse...
Each fall I tow it back,+ reload onto the trailer I built for it...
Now,... It's not more than a 1/4 mile,+ I do it when there's Little wind....
But,...
My modified Tugboat is a 12' Mirrocraft, with a 1954, 5, 1/2hp johnnyrude outboard...
The real Trick I use is to have 4 lines on the houseboat, 1 each corner...
I don't tie onto the towboat, I Hold the rope.. because my johnnyrude pulls better in reverse than trying to move forward...
Goin' such a short distance, that works for me...

I'm Sure you'll get by Just Fine with a 15hp,...
Just do it Early on a calm day, Before the sun induced breezes kick up...Say right around Daylight...

 

[arks]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

I towed a friends broken-down 24 footer about 3 miles with a SeaDoo PWC a few years ago.
It was slow but we accomplished the task.
As mentioned, wait for calm conditions, be extra careful, and go slow.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

Maybe you can temporarily rig the kicker motor to your swim platform? p)

 

[JoLin]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

make sure you have an easy to sever the rope from either end in a hurry if something goes bad.... hmmm might not cut it from the big boat........ lol poor driver of the dingy could fall off the slingshot..

When I read that I got a picture of the 15-hp inflatable flying past a donzi...

 

[winstonwilliams]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

We made the trip to get the boat hauled out. It only took one hour, but I timed the trip so the current was really pushing us. I will be honest with you guys it was a little sketchy leaving our dock and then docking once we got to the marina but everything ended up ok. Here is a picture of the rig I came up with to tow..

Thanks for the help

Winston

 

[arks]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

The important thing is that you were successful and didn't damage anything.
CONGRATS Captain!

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: Towing my 290 with Dinghy

lol, thats awesome. Good work Capt., and thanks for posting the pic..