Looking at towing (RIB) tender.

N

nomadcruiser53

New member
I'm thinking about getting a 9-11 foot RIB with a 9.9 hp 4-stroke. I like the idea of the hard bottom inflatable. I'd be looking at towing it on longer trips and was wondering if anyone had info on what it's like to tow an inflatable. What kind of speeds can I tow at? Will I see a decrease in fuel economy? It will mostly be used as a tender for 2 adults and a dog, but I'd also like to throw it in the back of the truck for lake fishing. I see lot's of the inflatables stored on the roof of the boat, but since the RIB is over 100lbs I don't think that's viable for me.
 
We tow a 10 ft inflatable behind Journey On. Tows great, up to about 15 knts. Judy gets spooked if we go faster. Can't tow with the motor on, and I'm not sure I would want to. I have had the dingy do a 360 around the end of the tow rope, and it was spectacular. Anyway, every time we tow the dingy, we hoist the motor back onto Journey On. I think a RIB would tow better. Can't tell the difference in mileage.

The bridle has two parts: a V from the dingy connecting to a V which is tied to the aft cleats (I guess that makes an X.) Gives some stability. And unless you're a better man than me, use polypropylene rope, which floats. Even then be careful to tend the bridle when you come to a stop, so it doesn't get caught in the propeller. We remove the seat and oars if we think of it. Get the lightest engine you can (Tohatsu?.)

ALWAYS remember the dingy is back there. I haven't.

Boris
 
I realize that a fair number of folks tow dinghies--I prefer not to. There is too much risk of capsize, or filling with water in rough weather. I also fully understand the importance of an RIB in AK. An option is an aluminum hull inflatable. Many are lighter than the fiberglass boats and more durable. There are some which are light enough to put aboard your trawler--and that would be my first choice.

We will probably go that route when we go back to the PNW next year. (Aluminum hull Hypalon inflatable)

I have towed dinghies up to a 22 foot Grady White behind a Symbol 42 foot Trawler--and have a friend who tows a 26 foot Contender behind a 60 foot motor sailer...We only towed our 12 foot RIB behind the Cal 46, once--and it was in heavy weather--and got significant water in the boat (even with a bilge pump in the dinghy) We have friends who have lost dinghies towing them.

On this last trip, we towed our 6'7" dinghy several days, (without the engine on it--use a Garhauer davit to lift the engine, especially if it is heavy). We felt that our fuel effeciency was decreased by about 10%. . Hand hold the line while you are towing (if you can-be sure it is cleated as a back up)--you will be surprised at the drag.

If you do choose to tow, consider a bridle, pulling against the transom after installing eyebolts into the transom, and using the foreward attatchment points as guides is best--have a second "safety" line--and some way to alarm is the primary line fails--or the resistance greatly increases (swamp, or capsize).
 
Guys, I don't know what i'm talking about when it comes to towing dingies so take this very lightly.

I have seen a gadget used to tow PWC's (big sit down jet skis) that looks to be two 10-15' pvc 1" water pipes, with a rope through them, that clips to the tow cleats of the tow boat. The other end comes together in a "V" with a couple noodle floats on it, then clipped to the bow cleat of the PWC (towed vessel).

The gist of it is that the pwc stays in the flat center of the prop wash, can't possibly catch your prop and when you slow down there is no way it can ram you. No way it could do a 360.

Just a thought, no idea if something like this could work on a rubber dinghy. Would be inexpensive to try and make one. Would want it so it did not lift a roostertail and fill the puppy up. That would really cut into your fuel efficiency. You might not need the noodle floats as you've got plenty of flotation back there.

Chris
 
Its been a long time but in the 70's my family hada 28 chris in maryland and we always towed the dingy. It was a 10 ft hard plastic double hull thing. It was not light as I recall. We towed at cruising speed and never had a problem. I think the key to happy boating is in how you have it rigged. I would think that some kind or rudder would stop any spinning or dancing in the wake. Also getting the dingy as far back pass the wake is a must. I have seen a lot of bigger boats in the SJ's towing dingys all the time.
 
When setting the mokai up for towing we set the tow rope length so it would ride in the notch between between the wakes from the CD. Even though the towing line was centered from the CD it would naturally find this notch with the right length on the tow line.

Personally I would not tow a lighter weight RIB in the places we have towed the mokai. Doubt very much we would still have one if attempted. We have towed our RIB dingy for short distances in good conditions with a bridle with no problems tried going up in speed with chop and and it danced way to much. A gust of wind and think it would have been off like a kite.

Even with our connecting the floating tow rope high to the back of cabin still must be careful in places where a stop or reverse may be required to not tangle rope in prop. Didn't think it really could be done with our set up, but we did manage it, so there after when in doubt went to a hip tie.

This is a photo of where the mokai rides and I think would be good place for dingy also.
PICT0319.jpg

This a photo of the dingy we wouldn't tow for any distance in rough conditions.
alaska_2004_trip_101.jpg

Jay
 
We towed a West Marine RU-260 for our entire trip to the Gulf Islands, Princess Louisa Inlet, Desolation Sound, and Howe Sound. We cruised at a wide range of speeds...all the way from 5 knots to 23 knots, and never had a problem. Even in very rough conditions the dinghy towed okay. A few conditions caused us some anxiety, but never any problem. These were when going slowly in a following sea and when going fast in a head sea. Slowly in a following sea resulted in the dinghy sometimes burying its bow. We towed with the plug out, and the water would quickly drain, but you sure noticed the extra resistance when driving. Fast in a head sea, especially with a strong head wind, resulted in the dinghy becoming airborne on a few occasions, but it never flipped. Ultimately, C-Dory's really don't like to go too fast in a steep head sea anyway, so it wasn't too big a deal.

If you do tow make sure you have appropriate gear. Make sure you have a bridle for the dinghy since the adhesive used to attach the hardware on the inflatables is very strong when dealing with lateral forces but will pull off easily from other forces. We used a heavy duty bridle from Boaters World to attach to the boat that was designed for pulling multiple tubes. This attached with a carabiner to about 25 feet of 1/2 inch polypropylene line and then to another carabiner around the bridle on the dinghy. When we were docking, anchoring, or otherwise maneuvering the dinghy was pulled in and secured to the side of the boat.
 
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