Tow line info needed

[baz]

I want to have a tow line onboard our R-25 for times when a tow is required. BoatUS will surely have one but there will be times when they aren't available.

Questions
1) How long a line is recommended
2) What type of line should be used... Strength, diameter, etc
3) The best attachment point is I believe the U bolt on the bow's stem, so what kind of shackle is needed
4) What are the general guidelines for when being towed
5) If a tow is seemingly required under what conditions should a tow be inadvisable
6) Is one tow line sufficient and if not should/can two be employed
7) Other thoughts ?

Thanks 🙂

 

[Newtugnut]

We oversized our stern line for tieing to shore to half inch poly - so it can double as a tow line. Recalling the old power squadron days, poly is the preferred choice for towing - it floats has no memory ie: wont stretch and snap back, plus highly visible. Our stern line is about 200 ft long which should be plenty for towing.

What we havn't done is to make up a simple bridle say 10 to 15 ft on each side with an eye in the middle. There should be no loops on the ends of the bridle (like a mooring line) so that the line can be let go if you are under load.

We have been towed a few times each time fastened to the bow cleats. However, at least on the R31 there is only one cleat in the middle with just two outboard fairleads, so I agree attaching to the U bolt might be better - but can you reach it. SO ... I go back to the bow cleat through the fairleads.

I guess based on sail boat exprience, the tow should be slow at say 5 knots. Certainly slower is safer and easier on the gear.

After a tow, as we get close to the marina - typically the tow vessel goes along side and attaches to your boat fore and aft to complete the journey into the marina proper.

 

[baz]

Back in 2010 I bought 350 feet of stern tie rope from West Marine. It was spendy at the time and cost me a little over $400 as I recall. I thought that this could double as a stern tie and a tow rope and I think it will.

The rope is the NEW ENGLAND ROPES Floating Dinghy Tow Rope Model # 2671642 (7/16" dia, floatable and with a 5000 lb breaking strength) and cost me around $1.20/foot. Ref: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...60_-1____ProductDisplayErrorView#.UjE4sBa9P4M

So with this line already onboard and wound up on a reel located on my swim step I think I'm good to go. I just need to find a suitable shackle for attaching the rope to the bow stem's U bolt.... any advice out there for this ?

Yes, reaching down to the U bolt does present some difficulty I agree, and this is why I'm asking for advise on what kind of shackle to buy.

 

[Crewdog]

An interesting question, and I found this USCG Boating manual online at:

http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/16000-16999/CIM_16114_5C.pdf

Skip down to Chapter 17-36 on towing procedures, and there's some good info on bridles, lines, etc.

Bill

 

[baz]

Bill: Thanks very much for that reference... I like the Skiff Hook for attaching the tow line to the bow stem's eye bolt. This approach means it's relatively easy to attach the tow line to our boat.

I've also downloaded this USCG Manual for keeping on my boat.... many thanks. 🙂

 

[RProffer]

It might be nice to have a couple hundred feet of floating nylon line available for the rare event you might need to be towed or need to tow someone. I just do not have the space on my boat for an extra line. What you can do is have a harness available, as discussed above, and then use your nylon anchor rode for the tow line. I have done that a couple of times and it worked well.