Towing when disabled
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Bruce Moore
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Check out your bow. There is a towing ring about halfway up from the waterline.
Stella Maris
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At times a cleat will actually be the safest option. In rough weather it could be nearly impossible to reach down and secure a line to the towing eye. In the event that a cleat must be used, use the larger of the two at the bow. Run your line through your bow roller as if you were anchoring. Prior to taking full tension on the line, have all personnel leave the bow area. If the cleat should break loose, you would not want to be near it.
Stella Maris
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Barry,
That would be one and the same. That is why at times it may not be possible to reach down and secure a line to it. Certainly in rough waters, you would not have another vessel approach to do this. And for laying on your belly, hanging a good portion of your body over the rail...... well..... not quite sure if that is the right thing to do.
The number one cause of failure that you can prevent is a clogged fuel filter. Keep your tank full, change your filters regularly and you should have no problem. I do use a biocide in Solitude that a cummins dealer recommended in San Diego. I am not sure of the brand. I will get it for you in the future.
Again, no matter where you attach to tow your or another vessel, stay clear of the attachment point once the load has been placed on the line. The line can part and kill you, the cleat or tow ring can pull out and kill you....... BE CAREFUL!
That would be one and the same. That is why at times it may not be possible to reach down and secure a line to it. Certainly in rough waters, you would not have another vessel approach to do this. And for laying on your belly, hanging a good portion of your body over the rail...... well..... not quite sure if that is the right thing to do.
The number one cause of failure that you can prevent is a clogged fuel filter. Keep your tank full, change your filters regularly and you should have no problem. I do use a biocide in Solitude that a cummins dealer recommended in San Diego. I am not sure of the brand. I will get it for you in the future.
Again, no matter where you attach to tow your or another vessel, stay clear of the attachment point once the load has been placed on the line. The line can part and kill you, the cleat or tow ring can pull out and kill you....... BE CAREFUL!
David:
I know full well about the danger of a cleat flying loose. I was sailing in a 70-foot gaff rig schooner in English channel in the 60s and the large jib sail split down its leading edge. The sail flew up vertically and pulled out the very large cleat the sheet was looped around. The affect was that the cleat was catapulted forward at high velocity and I unfortunately happened to be in its way. The cleat hit me in the side of my thigh and my leg was momentarily paralyzed and the pain was unbearable. I literally stumbled and threw myself into the cabin and lay down on the floor for about an hour trying to recover. The skipper was sympathetic but could not spare time to assist me as he had more important issues to address. 🙁
I was lucky because had the cleat hit my head I would likely not be here today!
I know full well about the danger of a cleat flying loose. I was sailing in a 70-foot gaff rig schooner in English channel in the 60s and the large jib sail split down its leading edge. The sail flew up vertically and pulled out the very large cleat the sheet was looped around. The affect was that the cleat was catapulted forward at high velocity and I unfortunately happened to be in its way. The cleat hit me in the side of my thigh and my leg was momentarily paralyzed and the pain was unbearable. I literally stumbled and threw myself into the cabin and lay down on the floor for about an hour trying to recover. The skipper was sympathetic but could not spare time to assist me as he had more important issues to address. 🙁
I was lucky because had the cleat hit my head I would likely not be here today!
Stella Maris
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Barry,
Sorry, I did not intend to insult you with my last post. I have just seen too many lines part and someone come close to getting killed.
In the future, I will keep my opinions to myself when you have a question.
Sorry, I did not intend to insult you with my last post. I have just seen too many lines part and someone come close to getting killed.
In the future, I will keep my opinions to myself when you have a question.
rustednail
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Take a look at this: http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/oops!.asp
While these guys were anchored in rough seas with a swamped engine, I think towing in rough seas could possible lead to the same conclusion.
I will user the bow/tow eye for towing.
While these guys were anchored in rough seas with a swamped engine, I think towing in rough seas could possible lead to the same conclusion.
I will user the bow/tow eye for towing.
captd
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My personal experience took place the last try accross the Gulf Stream . About twenty miles out, I had to shut the engine down. We called for Sea Tow. In the mean time a private boat ( about a 55 ft'er )came on the scene. The seas were 4 to 6 ft. This good samaritan Insisted I take a line so he could tow me out of the shipping lanes. He said do it or I will leave you right now. He had to pass our bow very closly for me to hook the line. It took several passes. I run his line through the fairlead to a cleat. The waves would cause the tow line to snap tight and then to give slack causing the tow line to hook on to the anchor. Abraiding the rode. It was obvious this would not last. I would rather have had him leave me to wait for Sea Tow.
Sea tow got there, He insisted on tieing to the d- ring which I perferred. He came right up to the bow and tied on the line himself. In the process of the tow we took seas from the beam , stern and bow. At about 5 miles an hour and $1200 later we were safely at the dock. This was my older Mis Dee. Only two bolts held the fairlead to the bow. Damage was going to be inevitable if towed by that method.
I tried to get the factory to install a samson post on the Lucky Fin. They were past the point in construction to do it. Not only that but a samson post must go all the way to the stem and be reinforced forward to the bow peak. That is not in the Ranger plans.
The first larger boat I owned, had a samson post and I had an occasion to be towed by the US Navy. When they reached 12 knots I heard this horrible cracking sound. I radioed the ship to stop. Upon inspection I found the post had pulled through the fiber glass all the way to the fairlead. The post was 4 inchs sqaure and it cut a nice four inch swath right through the deck.
A towing harness is a good thing to have if you every plan on a rough water tow. It would go around the stern and forward to the bow. On the nice kiddy cruises we take, when the water is flat as a pancake You can tow with the dingy and hold the line in your hand, but sometimes................... 😱
Sea tow got there, He insisted on tieing to the d- ring which I perferred. He came right up to the bow and tied on the line himself. In the process of the tow we took seas from the beam , stern and bow. At about 5 miles an hour and $1200 later we were safely at the dock. This was my older Mis Dee. Only two bolts held the fairlead to the bow. Damage was going to be inevitable if towed by that method.
I tried to get the factory to install a samson post on the Lucky Fin. They were past the point in construction to do it. Not only that but a samson post must go all the way to the stem and be reinforced forward to the bow peak. That is not in the Ranger plans.
The first larger boat I owned, had a samson post and I had an occasion to be towed by the US Navy. When they reached 12 knots I heard this horrible cracking sound. I radioed the ship to stop. Upon inspection I found the post had pulled through the fiber glass all the way to the fairlead. The post was 4 inchs sqaure and it cut a nice four inch swath right through the deck.
A towing harness is a good thing to have if you every plan on a rough water tow. It would go around the stern and forward to the bow. On the nice kiddy cruises we take, when the water is flat as a pancake You can tow with the dingy and hold the line in your hand, but sometimes................... 😱
captd
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jingram":mk29nmkn said:
The trip was aborted about twenty miles out. No fault of the Yanmar engine or the Ranger Tug. Just a freak situation. The drain plug on the heat exchanger fell out an dumped all the antifreeze into the bilge. Bussers went off. Not knowing what the problem was at that time, thinking it was serious engine problems we called sea tow. It was quite lumpy out there. The Ranger was handling the sea from all directions. Guess thats why I went for another Ranger.
Once I quit towing across the country. 3500 miles. the 29 is certainly in the cards.
With my type of boating I felt the extra horse power would be better for us. With the Mis Dee loaded for crossing to the Bahamas, 10 miles an hour was my best shot, the 150 Cummins does about 17 mph.
We are planning on putting the boat in the water in Homosassa on Wed. Down to the Keys and to the Abacos in Feb.
The 25 Ranger can handle the crossing and makes a nice live aboard while inexpensively wandering the whole of the Bahamas.
Captd
Ps: The Ranger held it's value so well it was possible to sell out right or trade for a new one. The factory looks after you and your boat. Even tho the Mis Dee was one of the 1st ( hull # 6) and had a few minor bugs, the factory never let me down. Always corrected every problem. Rare trait this day and age.