Just thinking of a towing situation...

[Nick2]

Perhaps I should direct this at Moose but I was wondering about what to do should I ever need a tow or be in a position to tow someone else.

How long a line and to where should it be secured are obvious questions but any tips would be appreciated to enable me to know what to do and how to do it should the neccessity arise ?

Thanks

Nick

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[DepSol]

At least 3 boat lengths and be attached to both cleats at the rear to make a convenient Y shape at the back using a bowline knot on the main rope.

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[Nick2]

So one warp linking the two cleats and then another attatched to it and then on to the towed craft ? ......is that correct ?

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[powerskipper]

and go very slowly, allow lots of time for slowing down. and lots of fenders on the stern, /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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Julie

 

[Nick2]

Funny that can't recall having been told about it before yet its a real life possibility and clearly needs to be done safely and well hence my question.

Thanks

Nick

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[BrendanS]

Yep.

If towing for any distance, sometime worthwhile adjusting the tow length so that you are both going up and down waves together (assuming regularish wave lenghts) otherwise you can get significant snatching.

If after open sea tow, you are then trying to get up somewhere where maneouvring an issue (eg going into and up Hamble say) better to stop, and rig for an alongside tow. Lots of fenders, two springs bow/stern and stern/bow and then bow to bow and stern to stern -lots more ability to control the boats this way. even a smallish rib can propel and control a large boat this way.

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[BrendanS]

Doesn't have to be that slow in right conditions. If right combination and sufficient power in towing vessel, much easier on engines and tow boats fuel economy if you can get towed boat just up on plane.

I've towed a deep v 20' from forts to Hamble at 4 knots and used a lot of fuel. Another time towed a much bigger boat, and managed to get it just planing, and fuel consumption was much much less, and quite safe towing in the conditions

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[Talbot]

The whole point about towing or being towed is to spread the load onto points that will minimise chafing, yet accept the strain (e.g. mast on a raggie). The biggest problem is often the jerk strain as the weight comes on. therefore the stretchy line is useful, and octoplait is best, if being towed for some distance quite useful to attach tow to anchor cable and let out 5-10 mtres of chain (dependant on depth of water) this will help to reduce the likelihood of a jerk as the weight comes on (i.e. snatch load) The deploying of the tow line is also something that is best practised, as a small mistake could easily end up with the line around your own propellor - thus two boats in trouble not one! If the other boat can steer then that may assist in some situations, in others, it is better to find the correct attitude for the rudders (which may not be straight, but require a small deflection to assist in keeping the towed boat at the right attitude.

The most important point of all for mobos is that the spped of the tow is dependant entirely on the ability of the towed boat to accept the strain and the effects of the towing. dont forget on a mobo, when you put power on you raise the bow and thus make the ride easier. when a mobo is being towed this wont happen - indeed if you have streamed some cable the bow will be slihtly down) this will have quite an effect on the ability to handle waves.

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[Solitaire]

Nick - I'll set you up a towing kit! Bridle etc. Part of QHM VP training is towing and I've already done several while on duty. No doubt more will come, they do every weekend! Basic info given is correct. Log tows are for open water and a weight can be used mid poit to preventing snatching. Rigging a bridle will distribute pull on two points. In close confines, can rig side tow but need to have your stern behind stern of vessel being towed. Also easier to move in certain directions in reverse.

Pre planning are we?



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[powerskipper]

yes ,can see the logic in that, the towed vessel would slow down very fast once the power to keep it on the plain was removed. The towed vessel would have some amount of steerage , due to legs or rudder, [unless that problem] so could in theory steer to one side of the towing vessel to some extent, [got brain going now!!! ] Does any one have any idea the minimum size of vessel to maximum tow able vessel, if that makes sense, or would it all depend on the power / torque that vessel produces.
mmmmm interesting,/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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Julie

 

[Solitaire]

I've towed an 11 1/2 ton motor yacht on a side tow on a 5.2 metre rib!! In Force 6. Tidal flow will play a big part. Gets a little interesting towing in on ebb tide through Portsmouth Harbour entrance but a 17ft rigid raider with 60 HP outboard on the back happily towed a 38 ft yacht in.

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[Nick2]

\"Being prepared\"

Certainly not pre - planning as (touch wood) boat going well having given over 26knts at one point in slack water on way back from Poole after we saw you - its just that its a topic that I have not noticed much written about and thought I should have an understanding of.

I was a cub scout you know....

Thanks to all for the excellent info here

Nick

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[PhilF]

We had to be towed back in on our first day out with our first boat, the Maxum 3000.
Pissing down with rain, no experience, Captain (me) panicking and no idea how to use the anchor.
Side by side tow, fore, aft and springs, loads of fenders and a bottle of scotch when we got back. - ah the wonder of experience,
also got a tow in the rib once when we broke down in Portsmouth harbour - thats a tale for another night
Byeeeeee

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[Solitaire]

Re: "Being prepared"

Blimey mate!/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif Last time we did that was in a "strong wind" if I recall! You'll need a lot of fenders though! Particularly for a side tow. And some long warps, not to mention strong.

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[Nick2]

Re: \"Being prepared\"

Conditions were a little different this time and we left the rib at home which seemed to make a great differance. Genny may be next for the chop....

Nick

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[BrendanS]

Yes, if you take throttle off slowly, there are no problems. Even a 'crash stop' wouldn't be that much of a problem, just go sideways in an S, and towed boat behind will end up alongside if it overshoots. Probably even that not essential, never had an issue with towed boats coming up my backside as if you are towing you can keep control to a greater extent than towed boat. Also you are extremely aware of what is going on around you when towing, as you are aware that you cannot react in normal way, and make speed and course adjustments accordingly

Usually when towing I get them to raise the leg if they have one - much easier to tow, but still have steerage way to some extent. Wouldn't recommend they steer of to one side though, it will add drag to the tow

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[Renegade_Master]

fully concur with stern behind stern David, we towed a Searay 34 back from Soto the other day using our rib, just out side our Marina Phil went from the straight forward towing rope to alongside for coming in.
He too tied up with the ribs stern aft of the Seasrays to get the steerage he needed.

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[boatone]

Re: \"Being prepared\"

quote....I was a cub scout you know....


at last....the missing link.......now i understand everything /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif


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[Tomsk]

Something to bear in mind on the opposite side. Have you any where suitable to be towed from? I was recently towed in by Fleetwood Lifeboat and they had a hell of a job tying there huge warp onto my forward cleat - it was just two small! Now changing cleat for somehting conciderably larger!

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What the hell... it's only money!

 

[tcm]

loads of good info on this thread.

I agree with the difficulty of managing the "snatching" load, and for this the key is a massively long, long line. I tied together a lot of mooring lines, with bowlines, and then made a bridle at each end. At the stern of the towing boat, i used floating line, or i suppose a non-floating line praps with a fender here and there to keep it well off the props would be as good. Obviously, for a teeny weeny boat towing a bigger boat more accurately (like into port) then lashing alongside is the way to do it.

I spoke with Moose about his rescue activities, and he was fairly cautious after all his experiences. Easily the most important thing is not to endanger your own boat, else it's all a much bigger problem, so standing by ready for others with a more appropriate boat and skills is often a better option in significant seas - offering refuge rather than a total solution - or that seemed his view, and i agree.

Making vhf contact, then either floating a towline downwind with fenders attached, or dropping it with fenders and turning around the target upwind - waterski style - must be a better options than attempting to get near enought to throw a line aboard the proposed towed boat, i suppose.




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