Swim Step Cleats - OK to Tow Dinghy?

[dbsea]

I am setting up a tow harness and rope for my dinghy on the occurrences when I am slow cruising and I want to tow it behind the boat. I have a tow harness that attaches to the transom anchor points in the dinghy and crosses over the D rings to reduce tension on the Hypalon and meets in a central ring where you attach the tow lines. Are the swim step cleats strong enough to attach a 30ft tow line with eyes on each cleat end and a locking shackle on the tow ring end, to tow my 100lb dinghy + 55lb outboard?

 

[Rocky]

My opinion - I would say no. Towing anything on the water can generate tremendous loads in the right conditions.
I have seen Wakeboard towers pulled out of the fiberglass when a tube catches a wave.... (that is why you don't tube from a wakeboard tower - but that is another day). Obviously you wont be going that speed, but the concept is nearly the same.

I would try to get the attach point up to the aft cleat(s) on the hull. Those are secured far more substantially than the little baby cleats on the swim step.

I hope that helps.

Rocky

 

[dbsea]

Thanks Rocky, that makes sense. I can use the two aft cleats in the cockpit vs the swimstep cleats. I'll have to see if the swim platform staples get in the way, but that's the only gotcha I can think of.

 

[JeffreyAC77]

I only think the cleats on the swim step are to be used a tie downs. I was told by a Ranger rep that the swim step cleats should not be used for tying up to the dock as well unless temporarily or a short period of time.

 

[dbsea]

Thanks. Got a towing rope made at fisheries this evening and will use the two main aft cleats.

 

[scross]

Dave,
Not sure if you have these on the C-30 but on the C-28 there are towing “bow eyes” just a few inches above the swim platform on the transom. One on each side of the propane locker. Much stronger than the cleats. You could use stainless quick links to attach them to the tow harness.

 

[dbsea]

Dave,
Not sure if you have these on the C-30 but on the C-28 there are towing “bow eyes” just a few inches above the swim platform on the transom. One on each side of the propane locker. Much stronger than the cleats. You could use stainless quick links to attach them to the tow harness.

That would be too convenient! On the C30 they are UNDER the swim platform, and I assume they are used for trailering the boat which I’ll never do. :lol:

 

[it4llc]

We tow a tube occasionally and use the aft cleats. The challenge is the railing in the swim platform on our C28 and not wanting the lines to put any stress on the railings. I got a town harness https://www.airhead.com/products/heavy-duty-tow-harness for about $25 on Amazon. It attaches easily and I route it between the first and second posts on each side of the swim platform. This has kept it from putting any pressure on the railing, even when making fairly tight turns with the tube.

 

[dbsea]

We tow a tube occasionally and use the aft cleats. The challenge is the railing in the swim platform on our C28 and not wanting the lines to put any stress on the railings. I got a town harness https://www.airhead.com/products/heavy-duty-tow-harness for about $25 on Amazon. It attaches easily and I route it between the first and second posts on each side of the swim platform. This has kept it from putting any pressure on the railing, even when making fairly tight turns with the tube.

I have a dinghy towing bridle that attaches to the transom eyes inside the dinghy, and routes through the d-rings, its supposed to reduce tension on the Hypalon. I had a 10ft section of line made with a low friction ring, which will attach to one transom cleat, and then a 25ft section of floating line made, with a wichards shackle on one end that will clip to the ring of the towing bridle, and the other end goes through the low friction ring and cleats off on the other transom cleat. This will allow the boat to stay on center and also allow us to easily shorten or lengthen the towing distance behind the boat.