flubber towing tied to pushpit

[solent clown]

24ft yacht, 9ft inflatable. I experimented on a very short 10 minute trip under motor with lashing the bow of the inflatable to the pushpit rail and letting the back trail in the water. It seemed to work well until we moored up, and a gust of wind got under it and it danced about a bit out of the water.
I could in theory make a u section in stainless tube that would run its length and beam underneath, and lash it to that with the ends of the U section hinged to the pushpit. That could have a stop lock or something like a boomstrut to prevent it flipping , but I am trying to visualise how that would be when the boat heels. The flubber is an old avon, so not two end tubes but a rounded stern

 

[Seajet]

If at all possible use two bow lines from the dinghy to the pushpit at 45 degrees or so, and keep them tight; the dinghy will definitely have a sense of humour and try to spin and invert at the most awkward moment if on a single painter.

 

[solent clown]

If at all possible use two bow lines from the dinghy to the pushpit at 45 degrees or so, and keep them tight; the dinghy will definitely have a sense of humour and try to spin and invert at the most awkward moment if on a single painter.

Andy, I actually had the nose of the dinghy on the pushpit mounted directly. If if flipped like that I think that would have killed the dinghy. I will take that on board and have a rethink.

 

[rogerthebodger]

If at all possible use two bow lines from the dinghy to the pushpit at 45 degrees or so, and keep them tight; the dinghy will definitely have a sense of humour and try to spin and invert at the most awkward moment if on a single painter.

If you can take your two bow lines from two separate points on the bow as far as part as you can, it will reduce the tendency to spin and invert.

I do the same with my rigid dingy on short trips.

 

[solent clown]

If you can take your two bow lines from two separate points on the bow as far as part as you can, it will reduce the tendency to spin and invert.

I do the same with my rigid dingy on short trips.

what about using the rowlocks?

 

[solent clown]

My idea for the dinghy carrier,
like this


IMG_20180302_141714[1] by mark punksteel, on Flickr

 

[RupertW]

You'll know more about the mechanics of it than me but I don't like the idea of the sideways strain on the pushpit from the dinghy being pushed sharply by wind and/or wave.

 

[solent clown]

You'll know more about the mechanics of it than me but I don't like the idea of the sideways strain on the pushpit from the dinghy being pushed sharply by wind and/or wave.

yes, I will have to have a look in to all that as I do not know how well it is mounted. But if it worked it would be a simple matter when moored to flip the dinghy up past vertical and attach it to the backstay.

 

[rogerthebodger]

what about using the rowlocks?

Too far back.

I found the best way is to tow in such a way the the bow is pulled from both sides and lifted a little so the stern drags in the water keeping the boat a straight as possible.

A lowered outboard can also help.

 

[[163233]]

yes, I will have to have a look in to all that as I do not know how well it is mounted. But if it worked it would be a simple matter when moored to flip the dinghy up past vertical and attach it to the backstay.

It'd be a lot of windage...

Perhaps a boom arrangement so you can stick the dinghy out to leeward like an ama?

 

[Seajet]

yes, I will have to have a look in to all that as I do not know how well it is mounted. But if it worked it would be a simple matter when moored to flip the dinghy up past vertical and attach it to the backstay.

That would mean some pretty fearsome windage, on a mooring or anchor she'd shear around a LOT in a breeze, as well as the load on the mooring / anchor.

There's a very good Peyton cartoon with a yacht, inflatable tied to the backstay - streaming from the masthead in a gale - I'm not sure if I've seen this in reality or not but have always been wary after the cartoon.

Have also had the inflatable flipped when tied behind the boat on a mooring in Salcombe, we'd been galebound a week and the constant noise and motion wore us / me down so I got careless, I'd taken the oars out but left the Mariner 2hp on; it survived that and other dunkings since and still goes strong.

 

[rogerthebodger]

You'll know more about the mechanics of it than me but I don't like the idea of the sideways strain on the pushpit from the dinghy being pushed sharply by wind and/or wave.

I agree with that comment.

If the attachment was on the stern cleats at deck level would be better.

How to you plan to attach the U shaped stainless to the dingy.

Just two rods attached to the stern cleats and to fixing on each side ot the bow of the dingy would give you enough control.

Have you considered towing it backwards

 

[solent clown]

It'd be a lot of windage...

Perhaps a boom arrangement so you can stick the dinghy out to leeward like an ama?

you will get the wife talking catamarans again. Of course with the dinghy lashed to the backstay it would self right if it capsized on the pontoon

 

[solent clown]

I agree with that comment.

If the attachment was on the stern cleats at deck level would be better.

How to you plan to attach the U shaped stainless to the dingy.

Just two rods attached to the stern cleats and to fixing on each side ot the bow of the dingy would give you enough control.

Have you considered towing it backwards

thanks for that. yes towing backwards would work. though the back is almost as point as the front on ours.

Was planning to have a strap that passed over the flubber and through the rowlocks

 

[solent clown]

I like the idea of the u section, or even a A section as there are other potential uses for hauling and winching?MOB etc. It could serve as a davit over the stern

 

[rogerthebodger]

I also posted a pic of a double front tow which shows better what I do.

You could also change the tow ropes for rigid rods that would stop the dingy trying to over take of slam into the transom.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The thing that I've come to accept about towed dinghies is that there will always be that odd gust that catches it, no matter that it was happy for the last three hours. Trying to stop that will damage the dinghy if the force is out to get you.

My best bet is to have it, bow up as you had but only to the lower rail of the pushpit, on the lee quarter. At that height, and when the boat is well heeled, it should just be staying bow up. That almost always works well - it's the forgetting (or CBA because it's not that windy) to tack it that's where it goes wrong.

 

[solent clown]

I take your guys point on windage if we put the dinghy vertical, bad idea. Shame as it would be an excellent space saver. I guess we could just haul it onto the coachroof out of the way, or deflate it and roll up behind the pushpit

 

[solent clown]

The thing that I've come to accept about towed dinghies is that there will always be that odd gust that catches it, no matter that it was happy for the last three hours. Trying to stop that will damage the dinghy if the force is out to get you.

My best bet is to have it, bow up as you had but only to the lower rail of the pushpit, on the lee quarter. At that height, and when the boat is well heeled, it should just be staying bow up. That almost always works well - it's the forgetting (or CBA because it's not that windy) to tack it that's where it goes wrong.

lower sounds sensible

 

[solent clown]

and yes, I am sure I am thinking far too deeply about this for a tiny little 24ft yacht :encouragement:
I cant help it, engineer.