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Towing dinghies

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Riv View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Riv Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Towing dinghies
    Posted: 29 Nov 17 at 8:37pm
I will need to tow 4 or 5 dinghies with a 20hp Dory next summer on the Dart, probably a mixture of Wayfarer, Wanderers, Picos and lasers, depends on who turns up.

Whats the best way of towing a range of boats?


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ian.r.mcdonald View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote ian.r.mcdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Nov 17 at 9:01pm
wayfarer at the back. all boats with centreboards up.go easy on the beer!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Nov 17 at 9:19pm
You may struggle with a 20hp, 
our new safety boat struggles with a comet duo when lashed side to side.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Nov 17 at 9:36pm
Put them alternate on a long rope, too. Remind sailors to follow the steering of the powerboat, and to sit back in the dinghies. Don't try against a strong tide.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote zippyRN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 17 at 12:07am
Originally posted by Rupert

Put them alternate on a long rope, too. Remind sailors to follow the steering of the powerboat, and to sit back in the dinghies. Don't try against a strong tide.


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Riv View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Riv Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 17 at 7:49am
Sounds good, the plan is to go down to Dartmouth from Stoke Gabriel on the ebb, come back on the flood towing those who don't want to sail back. 

What sort of spacing on a long rope for each dinghy? 2 or 3 times boat length. 

I'm pleased to know I should put the Wayfarer at the back!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 17 at 8:20am
If they are herringbone style, they can be quite close together (just a few feet between back of one and bow of next), which helps with tying and untying at each end. If there are waves, use more space between boats. Others will have more experience on that front.

Putting loops in the tow line, or whipping hooks onto it, can avoid having to learn the rolling hitch, but does make the rope tangle more easily.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 17 at 9:58am
Rolling hitch is not difficult though, and is very useful, imagine a clove hitch (we can all tie a clove hitch can't we Wink) but with one extra turn on the after side of the hitch and it will slide forward but lock when pulled aft. The main tow rope needs to be a fair bit bigger than the boats painters for the RH to work. 

FWIW a rolling hitch around the mast is the standard way of attaching an adjustable downhaul setup to a Raceboard rig and happily holds considerable tension.


Edited by Sam.Spoons - 30 Nov 17 at 9:59am
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 17 at 11:48am
Rolling hitches tend to slip with modern ropes, from what I've seen, but an extra roll can help.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote ColPrice2002 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 17 at 12:47pm
Just make sure that each dinghy ties onto the main tow rope separately, and that they can slip their tow if needed.

Each dinghy should have their own anchor (on a tidal river).


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