Towing 26 Cutwater with Weaver mounted RIB on swim platform

[BB marine]

We just bought an aluminum RIB. I have mounted the Weaver davit system on the Rib and swim platform . The question is do I leave the RIB on the boat and secure it While towing? What is the best way to secure it while towing? For those that have towed with the Rib set up what are the experiences? We can deflate the RIB and put it in the truck bed. I am just thinking of the experience at the ramp , Getting the boat ready to launch then pulling the Rib out of the truck inflating it, then lifting it up and attaching it to the platform setting it up. I have 100 mile trip to the marina where we moor the boat. Launching it this weekend. I think if we were towing cross county or hundreds of miles I would put it in the truck bed. I appreciate suggestions , and advise. Thank you !

Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE

 

[scross]

Brian,
I've seen it done! Last year going north on I-5 a R27 with rib in place on the swim platform passed us by doing 65 mph. We were doing 60 mph towing our R25. I always take my dinghy off and into the truck bed anytime I plan on trailering speeds over 25 mph. That dinghy is just a big drag chute back there and I hate to think of the loads it's drag puts in the davits and standoffs. But I guess I'm a woos since others are braver than me.

 

[Brian B]

I have done it with my Achilles inflatable for short distances. I did not use the standoffs, I let it rest against the stern and tied it down very securely. I recall a FL dealer stating on this site that he does it this way over long distances.

 

[Red Raven]

We tow about 30 miles on a 50mph road to launch/retrieve the boat each spring and fall with the dinghy on the davits and the Bimini up. We keep it at 45 mph max. We have additional straps tying the dinghy up tight. We use these straps on the water as well. No problems doing this for three years. I would definitely take down the Bimini before going above 50 and probably take down the dinghy if going very far on the freeway. I know that Kenny delivers the tugs around the Puget Sound area via freeway with the dinghy mounted on the davits (I believe tied with extra line though similar to our straps) and the Bimini stowed and tied with tie wraps. That is how our boat was delivered.

 

[BB marine]

Thanks you for the response. I will be finishing the Weaver set up on Thursday. I glued the Pads last week, 7 day cure for glue. I have not had the RIB mounted yet. I am hoping to be able to lay it against the transom and strap it down. I will see how it looks. I really would like to keep it on there but I don't want to damage anything . I always take enclosure and Bimini down when I tow. I have seen RIBs mounted on TUGs and CUTS sitting on trailers. I will give it a try this week to the marina. I'll do the 45mph approach. I will put it in the truck when we Tow any distance so I can pull at highway speed.
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE

 

[pleeson]

We take the dinghy off the davits at the launch dock and pull it bow first over the swim platform, flipping it upside down when it is resting just on the heels of the inflatable chambers. Two of us then pass it forward until it is nose down in the cockpit. After getting the boat on the trailer we close the cabin door, move the dinghy as far forward as possible and run a strap over the dinghy at the back of the cockpit. No risk of losing it on the highway. When ready to launch we unstrap it, move it aft enough to open the cabin door, and once in the water reverse the process to relaunch it and then secure it to the davits.

 

[BB marine]

After finalizing the RIB installation on the Cutwater, we elected to give towing a try with RIB on the platform. I laid it against the transom seat with padding, tied it down and trailered it 120miles at 50 to 55mph. Unfortunately my padding fell out and then RIB chafed on the back of the transom seat. No real damage but if I towed much further it probably would have. I think my limit would be 30 miles any more then that I will spend the extra time taking it off deflating it and putting in the truck. We normally tow at 65mph on the highway. There is no way I would do that with the RIB on the platform.
Brian Brown
26 Cutwater
PORT-A-GEE