Towing a 13' Whaler w/ a 22 Cruiser

ssilver

I bought a 13’ whaler a while ago and have yet to pick it up. The whaler is in NJ and we are based out of Upstate NY on the Hudson about a 130 miles north. We are taking our C-Dory down next week by water to NJ and the person I got the whaler from is suggesting he make bridal and I tow home. There is no motor on it and the hull is 320 lbs. He said you wouldn’t even know it’s there. My original plan was to head down in August w/ truck and trailer to pick it up. I do not recall does my 2004 Cruiser have tie downs on the stern to attach a bridal too anyway. I don’t like the idea of towing that distance w/ cleats. I am sure I would feel it just not sure how much. I am sure the fuel consumption would go up but still would be less than gas and tolls on the highway there and back. It is tempting to think about just concerning w/ only a 90 hp. Thoughts?

SnowTexan · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:51 pm Post subject:

I dont even pretend to be qualified on this question, but if I was doing this I would beg borrow or steal a kicker for the whaler just in case you have to cut it loose and keep it controlled. Good luck, and i’m certain pros will be along shortly to advise

thataway · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:21 pm Post subject:

Can you do it? Yes. Should you do it is another question. The boat is supposed to be 320#. Many older whalers have water in the foam, and the weight is often considerably more. (There is documentation on "Continous Wave"--the Boston Whaler site, that some weigh as much as 1000 lbs when waterlogged.). IF you can easily lift the stern and move it around then most likely the boat is OK.

Is the bow eye in good shape? Is there a good way to check the backing plate? I would rig safety lines to the stern eyes and fair lead them to the towing line, just in case. You want a bridle from your towing eyes on the stern of the c Dory.

I have towed a 12' Duraboat, with motor fuel and battery which is about the 300#. It slewed around some when at planing speed. But the C Dory 22 with a 90 hp Honda was up to it.

The worse case scenario will be that you cannot not tow it on. a plane, and will have to do displacement speed for 130 miles....Then it becomes a 2 day trip.

Your fuel milage will suffer. If you were getting 5 mpg, I would figure closer to 3 when towing.

ssilver · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bob.

The boat floats like a “cork” All whalers of that vintage have some water in the foam; I am hoping this one has minimal. I have owned my current whaler for almost 20 years and just love them. This is our dedicated Crab boat and will not see to much use. I was just reading on Continuous wave about this.

"Towing at speed (20 knots) is not possible with the engine raised as the boat will yaw from side to side (sometimes dramatically). The engine must be in the down position to create drag and straighten the boat out. At low speed (7.5 knots), you can probably tow with the engine raised. Try it.
Each mariner has to find the best solution for their setup. What works for one, might not work for another when towing. Factors include: weight distribution in the towed boat, wake configuration of the towing boat, sea conditions, etc."

I defiantly do not want to lug the 25hp Merc down to the Jersey shore for our vacation and I do not think the 2hp Johnson we are bringing for our rooftop stowed inflatable will provide much ballast or rudder so I think I will be stuck heading home @ 8 mph + -
Seems doable and factoring in truck/trailer fuel and tolls still would be more economical from $$ and time to pull it up the river. I am leaning towards plan A pick it up on the highway. Something just does not feel right about towing a 50-year-old 13’ for 130 miles. I am going to talk to my wife and get her input. If that bow eye pops out that is another crisis I would have to deal w/ on the way home.

thataway · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:27 pm Post subject:

At displacement speeds you should be fine. I used to tow a 20' Grady White Weekender behind my 42' trawler.--and 18' deep V runabout behind sailboats from 45 to 62'. Both of those were towed at about 7 knots.

The 2 HP motor would help to prevent any yawing. The skeg would probably have enough effect. At displacement--the bow eye should be OK.

I have a friend who has a home on Obstruction Island S J, who has his 1969 original 16' Nauset and is on his 8th outboard.

Barry Rietz · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:22 pm Post subject: Towing the Boston Whaler

SSilver; You might consider towing the Boston Whaler off either stern quarter. Using several fenders and properly rigged with breast and spring lines, you will have control of the situation. Make sure you use dacron lines, not nylon, when rigging the tow.

hardee · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:51 am Post subject:

For that long a tow, I would not want it on the hip. Plan on the 2 day trip, tow slow, and let the dink hang back. Give it a little ballast so the bow is high, and give it some drag, (the 2HP) leg in the water. At that speed it should be pleasure to tow. Yes, the fuel mileage will drop a bit, but compare that to your land mileage and you should come out happy.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Schuster · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:07 am Post subject:

There is no doubt as to what I'd do. If you have access to a trailer to drive down and pick it up then I'd do that. You can be down and back in no time and have the task done without a worry and the small amount of added expense would be well worth it.. Just too many variables to towing. But that's just me. Good luck, be safe.

kcohen4 · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 4:44 pm Post subject: I've towed a 13ft Whaler

For many years we had a 13 ft Whaler as a tender for our Grand Banks Trawler. I used a nylon bridle and tow line so it would absorb the shocks.
Now towing with a Trawler is not the same a planing . I traveled displacement at 9 knots.
We had a 40HP in the up position for towing and would play with the length of the tow rope depending on the conditions.
BTW towed it up the Hudson, through the locks and went to Montreal. In the locks put it on the hip. Also every summer towed to from Norwalk to Nantucket and many times to Block Island.
Never had a problem with the tow.

WeekiTiki · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:08 pm Post subject:

Whalers are a perfect example of something that spoils with age

Hunkydory · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 11:12 am Post subject:

I think you will be ok towing from the cleats with a bridle. Only hip tie it in tight places & smooth water. I towed a 25 foot ranger tug 20 plus miles in tide & wind chop across the Strait Juan De Fuca & a motorized kayak & rubber inflatable for thousands of miles with at times severe conditions using the cleats.

Jay