Let's go tubing! OTHER uses for c-dorys

H

handmeawrench

New member
Hello everyone. There is a 22' Angler in the family now, and while it's primarily a fishing boat, I suspect it's going to see some recreation time for the non-fishing members of the family.

So, my questions to you are:
- If you pull a tube (or skier), what's your setup like? I.E. where do you attach the tow line? Do you use a ladder, and where did you put it?
- What non-fishing uses of the spacious deck have you tried? Reclining deck chairs? BBQ? Beach towels for laying in the sun? I saw a photo of a teak deck up above the cabin...neato!

Just looking for ideas that will pleasantly surprise the wives and little kids.

Thanks in advance!
 
We have not pulled a water skier, but have pulled a tube with the grandkids. We use a bridle (cable) between the two stern "U" bolts (which have large fender washers behind them. There is a float and sheave on the cable, so that the tow line is attatched with a screw lock carabiner. The tow line is either 50 or 75 feet floating polyprop line.

The ladder is on the swim platform. You can use a fold up ladder. over the gunnel if you don't have a swim step.

Cockpit is pretty full when we cruise. A large cooler, a dry box with propane stove, grill etc, and a chest type of electrical freezer--we sit on these.
 
Interesting, thataway. Our 1987 22' Angler doesn't have any transom u-bolts for tying down (or pulling a tube). Wondering if I could use the two aft cleats?

I sort of hate to drill holes in the transom just to go tubing, but maybe I can convince myself to do it if I say it's for more sturdy trailering.

Thanks for the responses.
 
We use the U bolts for trailering tie downs. I am not sure how many boats had these, or if the U bolts were put in after market. The swim step and ladder are OEM.

I would be sure that the cleats at least had a fender washer between the nut and the glass under the underside of the deck.
 
My 2002 doesn't have the U-bolts on the transom, for what it's worth. I don't know for sure, but had the impression they came a bit later (mid-2000's?)

That said, they wouldn't work all that well for trailering on my particular trailer setup, because they would be running forward on an angle of around 45º. So they would keep the boat from sliding backwards, but to my mind keeping it from moving forward would be the more common need. I have seen that some trailers run right aft to the transom, so then the angle would be better.
 
My 2004 has U-bolts in the transom. I too use them for holding the boat down and side to side while trailering. They hook off the U-bolt and down around the transom corner, then down and forward onto the trailer. Works good, just need a little protection between the strap and hull to protect the gel coat.

Grazer
 
We tried towing a wakeboard this week for the first time. Really worked out pretty good.
I tied a tow bridle on the hand rails above the cabin and the grandchild liked that better than the bridle setup on my other boat. The high tow point made getting up much easier.
I have permatrims on the boat and we used them to get out of the water. Do have a ladder that hangs over the side also.

We cruise with two chairs in the cockpit.

jerry C Nile C22
 
I would be careful using those hand rails as a tow point--something I would personally not do. I realize that there are several attachment points inside the boat--but fairly small bolts, semi tack welded into a plate on the bottom of the tubing, which is semi tack welded to the SS tube. A lot of places for failure--and if someone was sitting in the cockpit, there could be an injury. Maybe I am being over cautions...
 
Pulling kids in a one man tube is not bad , but when you start pulling adults in a 2 person tube it adds a lot of stress to the line and its connection points(as well as the engine).

Smooth water not bad, on rougher water - if the front of the tube digs into the crest of a wave - its like you just threw out a 300pound anchor!

If you find your engine is lugging extensively while getting on plane - a 4 blade prop about 2 pitches lower will help.

Regards, Rob
 
In July, we had three grandsons visit us at our cottage on L. Ontario. They are ages 12, 13 and 16.

We borrowed a tube (for a single person) from a neighbor. We had a good length of nice 1/2" rope, but no tow bridle. We simply looped it through one of the rear cleats.

Though the tow was a bit to one side (a bridle would be better), it worked very well. The boys had a ball, as I swept them back and forth over the wake.

We have a portable ladder. It worked perfectly too.
 
We have a telescoping 4 step gunnel ladder which gets the bottom step deep in the water for easy exit of the water. Have 40 twins with 11" pitch 4 blade props which have plenty of pull. Just added two towing points, one to each outside upper engine mount bolt; added large washers to inboard side of tansom to spread out stress. Towing points are flat steel plates with two holes and a bend between the holes; they are made for stern tie down points on a boat trailer. Haven't tried them yet but they look like they will work well.

Jay
 
we dropped anchor in a quiet and shallow area of Lake Sammamish one 90F day and my son and wife and I made good use of the swim ladder. Cannon balls off the roof, and just general fantastic family fun. probably honestly the best day of my 2013. At one point my wife prepared lunch in the cabin while my son and I still dinked around in the water. It was a floating boaterhome and it was perfect for us :)

My wife has used the cabin roof for sun bathing, but I also think a smarter move would be to tow or pack one of those inflatable islands or inner tubes for sunbathing and just tie it up to the boat wherever you happen to be anchored or drifting.

IMAG0546.sized.jpg
 
Thanks, DuckDogTitus. That is EXACTLY what I'm talking about...an awesome day with the family just screwing around on the water. I like your idea of using a tube as a floating platform for sunbathing. Smart!

I don't have a swim ladder like the one in your picture, so I might look at the telescoping gunnel ladder C-Green mentioned.
 
handmeawrench":xbo3ss8v said:
Thanks, DuckDogTitus. That is EXACTLY what I'm talking about...an awesome day with the family just screwing around on the water. I like your idea of using a tube as a floating platform for sunbathing. Smart!

I don't have a swim ladder like the one in your picture, so I might look at the telescoping gunnel ladder C-Green mentioned.
Click to expand...

I can take another picture of it later as well, I bought this boat from Digger here on the forums and the platform was already there. we've made good use of it though. I think I shocked my little boy that first day, we were out fishing and suddenly dad tightens his life jacket and jumps overboard :mrgreen: from there fishing became splashing :)
 
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