On-Water Towing Tips/First Good Deed of '17

SIKSUKR · 05-18-2017, 01:57 PM

I'll add one thing to Top-Waters post that occurred to me while reading it. While pulling a sinking boat you might want to make sure there is a quick way to disconnect from it if that boat starts sinking to the bottom. It might want to take yours with it. I guess a knife handy would be in order to cut it loose.fwiw

Barney Bear · 05-18-2017, 03:33 PM

We have towed (and been towed) several times during our many years on the lake. In one instance, we encountered a disabled boat with a young couple on board. We towed them to the marina from which they rented the boat. They offered to pay us for the tow. We refused saying consider it a wedding gift. 🐻

SummerIslander · 05-18-2017, 04:34 PM

Need to be very careful when towing another boat with a normal boat - you can easily fry your engine if going much more than headway speed - 5mph, due to the extreme engine load. (Did that once long ago, the 3-cyl Merc 65 was never the same after that.) The damage may not appear be immediately, but will show up as shortened engine life. Towboats have huge engines and large short-pitch props, and probably other modifications so they can sustain a lot of tow power at low speeds.

[4-cycle]: If you must tow another boat, consider changing your oil afterwards, or at least check it for a burnt smell or bad color.

In defense of using the ski line: It floats, so easier to keep out of your prop, and it is weak enough that it will break if you tow too hard.

Just Sold · 05-18-2017, 06:22 PM

I agree that towing at headway speed is the best way to tow a disabled boat. I speak from experience over the years. I have towed a 22' pontoon & a 21' bowrider with a Four Winns Sundowner 225 w/350 Chevy and an older/heavy 22' Cobalt cuddy with a 135hp 4cyl 18' Stingray without issue by being careful and keeping the speed very slow. The Stingray tow was in April 2016 in Alton Bay.

05-18-2017, 01:57 PM	#1
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I'll add one thing to Top-Waters post that occurred to me while reading it. While pulling a sinking boat you might want to make sure there is a quick way to disconnect from it if that boat starts sinking to the bottom. It might want to take yours with it. I guess a knife handy would be in order to cut it loose.fwiw __________________ SIKSUKR

05-18-2017, 03:33 PM	#2
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 498 Thanked 274 Times in 175 Posts	Memorable Tow We have towed (and been towed) several times during our many years on the lake. In one instance, we encountered a disabled boat with a young couple on board. We towed them to the marina from which they rented the boat. They offered to pay us for the tow. We refused saying consider it a wedding gift. 🐻

05-18-2017, 06:22 PM	#4
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 1,083 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	I agree that towing at headway speed is the best way to tow a disabled boat. I speak from experience over the years. I have towed a 22' pontoon & a 21' bowrider with a Four Winns Sundowner 225 w/350 Chevy and an older/heavy 22' Cobalt cuddy with a 135hp 4cyl 18' Stingray without issue by being careful and keeping the speed very slow. The Stingray tow was in April 2016 in Alton Bay. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata Last edited by Just Sold; 05-19-2017 at 06:17 AM.

05-18-2017, 04:34 PM	#3
SummerIslander Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Need to be very careful when towing another boat with a normal boat - you can easily fry your engine if going much more than headway speed - 5mph, due to the extreme engine load. (Did that once long ago, the 3-cyl Merc 65 was never the same after that.) The damage may not appear be immediately, but will show up as shortened engine life. Towboats have huge engines and large short-pitch props, and probably other modifications so they can sustain a lot of tow power at low speeds. [4-cycle]: If you must tow another boat, consider changing your oil afterwards, or at least check it for a burnt smell or bad color. In defense of using the ski line: It floats, so easier to keep out of your prop, and it is weak enough that it will break if you tow too hard.