Dinghy towing

[South lake]

Just curious. Has anyone towed a dinghy behind a R25 or R27 and if so, where did you secure the tow line to the towing vessel?

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Jeff:

We towed our dinghy behind Kismet for a year. Here's what we did based on our research and it all worked out. The line to your dinghy is best if it is nylon or polypropylene with a couple of floats. The line should run about 3 boat lengths away so it rides on or behind your cresting wake. I ran my line up to and under the transom cockpit railing. It was a little off center but it worked. The only word of caution is upon take off and stopping or slowing down. I always got under way until I let the dinghy line out and pulled the line back snug to the transom as we slowed down to dock or whatever. The reason for the floats and nylon line is to help reduce the possibility of getting the line down into your propeller. Hope this helps,

Jim F

 

[South lake]

Thanks Jim... Question, was the line connected to the transom railing or did you run it up to one of the cleats?

 

[Stella Maris]

On Solitude (our R-25) and Karma (our R-29) we removed the stainless steel flag staft mount and install a towing eye in its place. We then flew our flag from the mast on the roof.

This placed the towing eye outside of the cockpit and dead center on the stern.

You can go here to see a picture:

http://www.rangertug25-solitude.com/sol ... ments.html

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Jeff, I did run the line around the transom rail post and over the port side cleat.

Jim

 

[South lake]

David, the towing eye is a clean looking approach. I wonder if using a backing plate would work in liew of building up the fiberglass?

 

[Stella Maris]

I placed an aluminum backing plate behind it. A good marine grade plywood would work as well.