Tow rope length

[Happy1]

I have bought some SS carabina type fittings to make up a tow rope for my boat, is there any specific length it should be. The boat is 6.1 mtrs and the tow boat is my 2.6mtr zodiac (or RNLI lifeboat /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif). I want to splice the fittings on so need to know what rope size and length I should have.

Thank you in anticipation.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[qsiv]

I have to say I wouldnt start with carabiners - I cant see them lasting, unless it's really calm. Not only are they not really designed for the sort of loads they could be taking, but also you are likely to be clipping them around a metal fitting - metal to metal linkages should be avoided at all costs where there is a significant possibility of movemement - they work just like files againts each other (just look at a modern race boat (sailing) you will find rope strops used wherever these sorts of loads are happening. As a serious observation, it is likely that you will find a suitable strong point from which to tow, or if you can suitable fairleads. It's difficult on a sailing boat, let alone a motor boat.

As for length - it's almost impossible for it to be too long, but a standard estimate is that it should be 2.5 times the wavelength of the waves you are towing in.

Weel - you did ask how long a piece of string should be! As a starting figure I dont think I'd want to start much less than 50 metres under almost any conditions except flat calm in a river (in which case towing alongside may be better anyway). You may also want a drogue (or a bucket as a last resort) to try and keep you in line behind the towing boat, and also to try and prevent you overruning the tug. If you want a really good answer, I'd buy the local lifeboat coxn a pint, and ask his advice - they are forever towing boats.

Dont forget you will also need to have bought the relevant day shapes and lights to show hilst this operation is in progress.

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day Happy 1,

Don't bother with the clips, you will never use them, just adjust the length so the tender is running down the wave behind you, this will have to made shorter or longer depending on your speed and sea conditions at the time.

Avagoodweekend. Old Salt oz.../forums/images/icons/cool.gif

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[Happy1]

Cheers, I will bear that in mind, it makes sense. The problem is the small bolt and eye that goes onto th etender is quite small, that is the reason I got the carabina type SS hook, perhaps I could have that on one end and then just adjust the other end on the bow ring.

Cheers,

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Alistairr]

G'day Happy1 , I flew down to Swansea last thursday to inspect the new boat, everything was great including the dealer, with the exception of the Beaching Keel Protection Strip. After several phone calls and great discussion about it earlier in the week it was deceided that we would not have it fitted.
The dealer suggested a tender instead, so supplied me with a Zodia Cadet 260.
Same as yours i believe, what a co-incadence.
If fast cruising the dealer suggests straping it to the back of the boat, if gentle cruising 20-30mph, towing is fine, inthe manuals that came with it it gives suggestion for towing it says use 2 ropes crossing in the middle connected too the D rings at either side of the dingy tied to opposite side of your boat, if you know what i mean?
What bolt and eye on the tender that is small are you talking about?

<hr width=100% size=1>CHEERS.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

 

[Happy1]

At the back of the boat you will see some small plastic plugs, the dealer supplied me with a stainless steel eye and bolt that has a wing nut at the other side. He also sold me two carabina type SS clips that enable me to have a rope ready fixed and then just clip onto the eye. I got two but after hearing advice I may just splice one on and then I can adjust the other end as required. You MUST get the super dooper inflator, brilliant bit of kit, no need to keep the dinghy inflated just blow it up, then suck it down with reversable position on super dooper sucker /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif What engine did you get for it, I got the 3.3hp mercury because it looked nicere than the others and stows by the side of my engine bay out of view. I am making a fixing so it can be locked for security.

Do you have a depth guage?

Cheers,

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Alistairr]

Do you mean towing as in towing the Glastron???
The power plant that i got for it is 2 oars and a lot of arm power, no need for outboard i don't tend in going far with it.

What was wrong with the pump supplied with it? Electric pump sounds great, but i'm a scot and i grudge paying £65 for it.

If anyone wants to sell me a second hand one for a few pounds then they can PM me.

Cheers.

<hr width=100% size=1>"INDIANA Has Been Born"
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

 

[Happy1]

I just bought it as it blows it up in 50 seconds, I could not be bothered pumping that theing with my foot when the boat is sinking, changing legs as I continued. I look on mine as a type of liferaft / safety boat / tender, I put the idea to SWMBO and she rubber stamped it there and then. It sounds a lot but if I get two to three years use out of the baot and oump, I look on it as a bargain /forums/images/icons/wink.gif Calculate the time spent pumping, times that by your hourly wage or value and after a couple of inflations done, paid for, easy as that. I may start up 'HappyPumping' for tired people /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif I also bought a stand alone battery pack for boosting my battery, it has a 12v ciggy lighter as a bonus, just connect the super booster to that and it works a treat, so if I lose power sinking, I will use the battery pack. If you want one there is a thread about it somewhere.

Cheers,

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[oldsaltoz]

Adjusting at the bow of the tender will be a problem when underway, as adjustments may be required several times in a single trip, just put a small shackle thru the eye bolt and secure the painter, no clips required.

Hope this helps

Avagoodweekend. Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

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[Happy1]

Good idea, I will do that,

Cheers,

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>