Towing other Boats

A

alwood0422

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Question for all out there - I am an ex Coasty and will eventually end up using this boat to an extent with the USCG Auxiliary. With that will come some hard work for the boat and quite possibly towing disabled boats out of harms way.

Has anyone done this before, if so what do they use for rigging the tow line.

I currently have a bridle that will go between the rear tow hooks to a another hook on a pulley. This allows for the tow line to move on the bridle and ability to pull from both tow hooks. I have a Overnighter 206 with the engine sitting on a plate a foot behind the Transom, so I need to keep out of the way and have access to it.

Thanks

Al
 
The rear hooks on most boats are for trailer tie down, not towing, especially heavy loads. You really should check with the factory on this one as I've seen towing and other pulling lines break and the results are devastating. As usual make sure only essential personell are within shot of the towing lines.

Make sure you use an appropriate tow line with plenty of stretch and possibly even a shock absorber to reduce fatigue on the boat equipment and motor. I make it a rule to never tow anything bigger than my boat and in less than 5' of water. My gear and safety are not worth someone saving a tow policy. There are plenty of tow services out there and anyone in less than 5' of water should be able to set an anchor or even walk an anchor our further if a falling tide is the problem while they wait for tow operator. jh
 
Thanks for your comments. I thought the rear hooks were stronger than just a tie down for trailering. I'll reach out to Grady. I have a few thousand tows under my belt with the Coast Guard and ties to the local station. They will be giving me the lines for tow work. We are in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, there is no Sea Tow here, just local marina tow boats, and with the current, ship traffic, and local idiots, sometimes you need to get them out of the way quick.
 
FOR BEST MANEUVERABILITY, YOU WANT A TOW BIT FORWARD OF THE ENGINE (THROUGH-BOLTING A POST). MY CONCERN W/ TOWING FROM THE TIE-DOWNS IS FOWLING YOUR PROP AND NOW HAVING TO DISABLED VESSELS!
 
I would agree, but I am not going to modify my boat for this, it is still my primary fishing boat. I am trying to work within the means of what I have.
 
My understanding was that the tow eyes on the back of the smaller grady's were lifting eyes. The bow one is an option, but the rears are standard. If they'll lift the boat certainly they'll work for towing. Yeah, get hold of the factory on that one...let us know what you find out.
 
I agree with CJBrown on this one...

The stern eyes are designed to hold the weight of the boat in a lifting situation. If you order the lifting kit, you get the reinforced bow lifting eye...thats it.

While I would agree that a towing post or eye, mounted forward of the engine, is better for frequent towing, I am all for saving another vessel from harm as long as I can do so safely.
 
Put a commercial fishing net float on the bridle, maybe one float on each side of the middle hook. Also a float on the tow rope near the point where it connects to the bridle. Commercial net floats are available that have a hole through them large enough for a tow rope.

Far better chance of keeping everyting at the surface rather than around the prop.
 
Parthery said:
I agree with CJBrown on this one...

The stern eyes are designed to hold the weight of the boat in a lifting situation. If you order the lifting kit, you get the reinforced bow lifting eye...thats it.

While I would agree that a towing post or eye, mounted forward of the engine, is better for frequent towing, I am all for saving another vessel from harm as long as I can do so safely.
Click to expand...

I agree as well, as a ex-coastie cox'n he knows how to tow stuff. If the stern eyes will lift the boat they will tow another boat with no problems as long as its at a safe speed.
 
If the stern eyes are a concern in a towing situation, just put some larger SS backing plates on the inside and outside. IMHO, that would be far better than trying to install a towing post in the center of the floor...which consists of the gas tank cover that's held down with a few screws and some caulking.
 
Thanks for all the help on this. I contacted Grady and after 3 attempts I got an answer. Not sure why they failed to write back until the third time but whatever. They said the rear eyes are for lifting and are strong enough. As expected they said use all the standard precautions and don't tow anything longer than your boat. I will rig a bridle with a float on the end through a eye. Should be interesting the first time, I am curious how much the Grady drive will get in the way.

Thanks

Al
 
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