Towing an inflatable - re Jester

[tarik]

I have an inflatable Avon type dinghy, which I will be taking with me, Could anybody give me their views re towing an inflatable, I don't really want the hassle of inflating/deflating/ storing it all the time - its a pain in the butt.

Any tips gratefully received


David

 

[Evadne]

I wouldn't do it. I found it took 0.5 to 1 knots off the boat's speed, and on an inflatable any towing point is glued on and can pull off (I know, and recovering a painterless dinghy is not all that easy).

A big double-action hand pump can inflate a redcrest in a few minutes - you need a few more afterwards to take a rest after that, mind! We fold ours up in a bag on the coachroof. Yes it is a minor pain, but that is all.

 

[johnalison]

There should be no problem as long as you stay within a reasonable weather window. I towed our Redstart around the West Country for 3 weeks a couple of years back and saved a lot of effort. I would never set off across the Channel or North Sea though.

Dinghies tow better with a bridle from the bow, but this doesn't stop it from inverting if it has a mind to. My preference is to pull the dinghy tight up to the stern as this reduces the drag. In no circumstances would I ever leave anything in the dinghy, and certainly never leave an outboard in place.

The main disadvantage of towing is that the dinghy makes a noise and spoils the peace and quiet of a fine day. An inverted dinghy shouldn't come to much harm, but the drag is increased and may strain the painter. Dealing with it on the move can be a pain.

 

[Gordonmc]

I used to tow my Avon Rover, mainly because it was too heavy to pull on board on my ownsome to deflate it.
That stopped after I lost the separately the seat and oars when the dinghy flipped.
Since then I bought a cheap small dinghy to leave deflated on the boat and leave the Avon on the mooring.
If you do decide to tow the dinghy make up a bridle to attach to as many strong points as you can - including the transom if it has one. As has been said the front patch with handle will pull off.
Got that t-shirt.

 

[agurney]

I have a bridle made up at the stern with a couple of snap shackles that clip to the sides of the dinghy.

The dinghy sits a couple of inches off the yacht's stern but cannot turn turtle in strong winds or heavy seas.

Easy to attach and board; the only down side is that the prow is a bit sooty as it is so close to the engine and heater exhausts.

 

[Wunja]

I don't really want the hassle of inflating/deflating/ storing it all the time - its a pain in the butt.

Since most people seem to stop in the marina on arrival in the Azores, You would probably be deflating it in Plymouth and not re-inflating it until you return to Plymouth a month or more later.

Losing a knot on a craft only likely to be doing 5 knots would add an extra couple of days onto your journey.

 

[Seajet]

Towing any dinghy is a major PITA and only to be undertaken on very short, sheltered hops; the drag and problems caused when it inverts are too much.

I always have the dinghy on deck half - inflated when going across the Channel, as I don't have a liferaft ( well I do, but it's 1 man ).

 

[BoyBlue49]

As Evadne said, you will loose upto 1kn. Better towed on a short bridle but a nightmare in a following sea.
I towed mine from Southern Spain to UK, only good thing is when anchoring off you have the use of it to get to shore.
Never leave anything in the dingy and if you have an inflatable floor tie it in, towing with an outboard is a no no and asking for trouble.

 

[jwilson]

I have an inflatable Avon type dinghy, which I will be taking with me, Could anybody give me their views re towing an inflatable, I don't really want the hassle of inflating/deflating/ storing it all the time - its a pain in the butt.

Any tips gratefully received


David

Jester transat??

If you are talking about a long or open water passage absolutely not. I have had inflatables upside-down, airborne and everything in between. The last thing you want when a big squall comes through is fighting the dinghy as well as the sails.

Also a definite loss of speed.

 

[theoldsalt]

I have an Avon R280 that has always been towed. It is 21 years old and has done the same number of sea miles as the yacht I have had. Never flipped and the paddles are always in the dinghy ready for any emergency. The length of the tow is adjusted so that the dinghy rides on the back of the stern wave and follows nicely even in a following sea. However I do not go on long distances cruises - only coastal hopping.

 

[chinita]

I have an inflatable Avon type dinghy, which I will be taking with me, Could anybody give me their views re towing an inflatable, I don't really want the hassle of inflating/deflating/ storing it all the time - its a pain in the butt.

Any tips gratefully received


David

Is your profile up to date? You say you have a Colvic Atlanta 31ft ketch which:

a. Is not eligible for JAC
b. Does not appear on the entry list
c. Should have ample space for a deflated Avon.

Surprised you are asking the question as presumably you have completed the recommended 500 mile non-stop passage already and would have considered the viability of towing.

 

[rakaaw]

Is your profile up to date? You say you have a Colvic Atlanta 31ft ketch which:

a. Is not eligible for JAC
b. Does not appear on the entry list
c. Should have ample space for a deflated Avon.

Surprised you are asking the question as presumably you have completed the recommended 500 mile non-stop passage already and would have considered the viability of towing.

a.Why not? Other 31 footers have taken part by invitation.
b.Entry is open until starting day.
c.Storage space is not the problem .
d.I have heard that some Jesterites do their qualifying miles on the way to the start.

 

[chinita]

a.Why not? Other 31 footers have taken part by invitation.
b.Entry is open until starting day.
c.Storage space is not the problem .
d.I have heard that some Jesterites do their qualifying miles on the way to the start.

Thank you. I was aware of all of that having entered the first JC.

 

[Kelpie]

Have towed the dinghy something like twice, ever, when doing very short trips in sheltered waters. The loss of speed is just not worth it.

The best £10 I have spent on the boat was a 12v dinghy pump, so much quicker and easier than pumping by hand. Needs a few strokes on the hand pump to finish off.
(Somebody will probably tell you to spend £70 on a LVM pump instead.... well I have one and all it does is blow up the dinghy a little quicker, it still needs finished manually, and to boot it has blown so many fuses with its stupidly high current draw that I threw it in the back of a locker and never use it now)

 

[Searush]

I tow my dink quite a lot in sheltered coastal waters, but it comes aboard as soon as the wind picks up. F5 is enough to lift an empty inflatable & it will often flip, if it does, it acts as a sea anchor until the painter attachment pulls off. Then you have the fun of recovering, deflating & stowing anyway. Might as well do it on the mooring or in harbour where it is easy.

If pottering around locally & using the dink twice a day or more then by all means tow it, but for any deent passage I have always deflated it. It only takes a minute or less to deflate & roll it up. Then lash it firmly down or put it safely in the forecabin. It will not be needed again until the end of the passage - if doing the JC that could be up to 6 weeks off! Even if only an overnight passage I wouldn't even consider towing.

Best pump I've found is one of those oval foot operated ones with fabric bellows that came with the boat.

 

[Seajet]

LVM electric dinghy pumps are good kit, but it's essential to clip them direct to the battery due to the current draw mentioned.

I was on a boat once when the skipper connected his LVM to the ( new ) boat wiring, knobbling it into a molten mass and very nearly starting a fire...his job ? Electrician !

 

[Fascadale]

I used to tow my inflatable on shortish passages if I was confident of the weather.

I now have a wind vane on the stern and would not be willing to risk the dink being swept into it.

The dink now travels rolled up on the coach roof.

If the OP is considering a Jester, does he have a vane, and how is the vane to be protected from a towed dink?

A pre vane "Where is it"?

 

[tarik]

Jester

Is your profile up to date? You say you have a Colvic Atlanta 31ft ketch which:

a. Is not eligible for JAC
b. Does not appear on the entry list
c. Should have ample space for a deflated Avon.

Surprised you are asking the question as presumably you have completed the recommended 500 mile non-stop passage already and would have considered the viability of towing.

a - I am eligible
b - I am on the list - No 52
c - What is the relevance of the 500 mile trip to my question, I was seeking the opinion of more helpful readers.

Knowledge is valuable - sarcasm is two a penny.

D

 

[agurney]

A pre vane "Where is it"?

Heading to Coll from Tobermory with Calliach Point in the background?

 

[ytd]

I suspect it's the sort of thing you have to try to be convinced that it doesn't work. I haven't even thought about it since towing our rib in a 1m following sea. The rib was launched into the backstay adjuster breaking the its cable guide.