Tow line

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wipe_out

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Hi,

Looking at booking some own boat training and they have a list of things you need on board before they will do the training.. One thing specifically mentioned is a "Tow Line".. Is this something specific or simply a long length of rope?
 
wipe_out said:
Hi,

Looking at booking some own boat training and they have a list of things you need on board before they will do the training.. One thing specifically mentioned is a "Tow Line".. Is this something specific or simply a long length of rope?
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In extremis, one of your warps should suffice.
What "own boat training" are you doing?
 
This might be a bit over the top, but I was at a lecturette by the RNLI. The young chap said we should all carry a towing bridle with two legs going aft to loop over winches and the third heading forward over the bow. Some of this could be wrapped around mooring cleat/sampson post but we were cautioned against relying just on this as the lifeboats tend to pull it out - apparently their boats can't go slow.
 
Spuddy said:
This might be a bit over the top, but I was at a lecturette by the RNLI. The young chap said we should all carry a towing bridle with two legs going aft to loop over winches and the third heading forward over the bow. Some of this could be wrapped around mooring cleat/sampson post but we were cautioned against relying just on this as the lifeboats tend to pull it out - apparently their boats can't go slow.
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I can confirm the speed bit, we were towed in by Harwich LB some years ago, and the GPS track showed a steady 9 knots! This on a long keeled 30'. The substantial samson post was fine though. The biggest problem was the size of their tow line, it only just fitted over the bow roller.
 
Leighb said:
I can confirm the speed bit, we were towed in by Harwich LB some years ago, and the GPS track showed a steady 9 knots! This on a long keeled 30'. The substantial samson post was fine though. The biggest problem was the size of their tow line, it only just fitted over the bow roller.
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The "Volunteer" with a boat under tow on the Stour
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I would have cut the line, too fast and very dangerous, the coxswain should have thrown out of the RNLI for doing this!

You'll find that tugs very rarely tow anything at speeds greater than 5 knots, many insurers had a stipulation of a towing speed of 4 knots. So what the RNLI are doing towing anything at speed greater than this is downright dangerous - considering they tend to use short tow lines as well.

Anyway back to the OP, I think of a line 20mm - 25mm diameter (or the largest you can get around a sampson post/your cleats) and think around 100m, that will give some room to maneuver and take some of the snatch out when are being towed or getting towed.

Making up a bridal is a very good idea, make sure you cleats have good sized backing plates fitted under them, and you have good clean forward; other wise you'll chaff them through in no time. I'd not want my winches used by anybody for towing off, let a lifeboat doing the stupid speeds mentioned on here.

Whichever way you go make sure you are in charge of the tow, and use your gear if possible, you know it is good!
 
Ariadne said:
I would have cut the line, too fast and very dangerous, the coxswain should have thrown out of the RNLI for doing this!

You'll find that tugs very rarely tow anything at speeds greater than 5 knots, many insurers had a stipulation of a towing speed of 4 knots. So what the RNLI are doing towing anything at speed greater than this is downright dangerous - considering they tend to use short tow lines as well.

Anyway back to the OP, I think of a line 20mm - 25mm diameter (or the largest you can get around a sampson post/your cleats) and think around 100m, that will give some room to maneuver and take some of the snatch out when are being towed or getting towed.

Making up a bridal is a very good idea, make sure you cleats have good sized backing plates fitted under them, and you have good clean forward; other wise you'll chaff them through in no time. I'd not want my winches used by anybody for towing off, let a lifeboat doing the stupid speeds mentioned on here.

Whichever way you go make sure you are in charge of the tow, and use your gear if possible, you know it is good!
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The Rib is not RNLI, he had been towed off of the Deben bar & they were raking him home sans mast
 
wipe_out said:
Hi,

Looking at booking some own boat training and they have a list of things you need on board before they will do the training.. One thing specifically mentioned is a "Tow Line"..
Click to expand...

I'm still waiting for an explanation as to why a 'tow line' should be a requirement!? .... If the instructor has so little confidence in the boat in question it raises other questions.
 
VicMallows said:
I'm still waiting for an explanation as to why a 'tow line' should be a requirement!? .... If the instructor has so little confidence in the boat in question it raises other questions.
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Does it never occur to you that you might have to tow someone else?:rolleyes:
 
As said the best rope would be one that would be suitable for anchoring or extending the anchor rode. The cheaper polypropelene is good and floats. You don't want a rope that is disproportionately heavy.
Yes speed of towing is important. We have talked about hull speed and the way it takes a lot more power to exceed hull speed. This comes out as load on the tow line.
There are stories of mid ocean rescues where a yacht has been taken in tow by a large ship. The yacht was eventually abandoned. The ship operator could not afford to tow at speeds suitable for a yacht. ie nothing less than 15 knots. Now 15 knots is a huge load on a tow line pulling a 30ft yacht. You would need a bridle, perhaps even under the hull and around the back of the keel. Your average sampson post would just depart. Cleats would be hopeless. good luck with the course. olewill
 
Its essential if you have a boat with an unreliable engine as if you get into trouble and another boat turns up to give you a tow, under the laws of Shipwreck if they throw you a line they can claim salvage. Whereas if you throw them your rope they cant,
 
Jim@sea said:
Its essential if you have a boat with an unreliable engine as if you get into trouble and another boat turns up to give you a tow, under the laws of Shipwreck if they throw you a line they can claim salvage. Whereas if you throw them your rope they cant,
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Old wives tale!

Anyway, whats wrong with anchoring or sailing, if your engine packs in?
 
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