Towing inflatable toys with a Fairline Targa 40

[danieleither]

Having discussed this briefly in another topic with a fellow forum member, I understand it is perfectly doable. I'm curious though, where / how would you attach the towing line? I've also heard that you'd need to use a longer towing line than 'normal' (e.g. vs. towing with a small boat or jetski), is that correct and if so, why?

Any other advice / information regarding this topic would be much appreciated (I'm struggling to find anything online about towing inflatables with 'larger' boats)...

 

[julians]

You use a long line for a couple of reasons

1. The significant turbulence in the wake of a bigger boat extends further behind the boat than a smaller one.
2. The diesel fumes from a big boat plodding along just on the wrong side of 'the hump' are awful.

You can tow inflatables etc on a biggger boat, but in my experience it's pretty unpleasant.

The above coupled with the relative lack of maneuverability of a big boat, and the fact that they typically don't plane until higher speeds makes them very sub optimal for the job.

With regards to where to attach the line, rig a bridle between the two rear cleats and then attach the tow rope to the bridle.

 

[Restoration man]

Should be no problem ,years ago I waterski’d off the back of our old birchwood 35 in the Bristol Chanel and in Milford haven ,(me and my dad did some stupid things ??‍)
boat would only do about 18 knots but the torque was great it was really easy to ski behind , I wasn’t very good at waterskiing but it was much easier than doing it off my old searay with a 5.7l engine ,think I might have video of it somewhere ?
just Chuck the inflatable out back and see where it lands with the wash and adjust the line accordingly

 

[jrudge]

I had a t40 and pulled toys.
Your fuel consumption is horrific as on and off the power. You can see the gauge fall !

 

[alt]

In the long run (fuel consumption), ot would be cheaper to buy a small RIB for the job

 

[danieleither]

In the long run (fuel consumption), ot would be cheaper to buy a small RIB for the job

Not an option due to garage size Original plan was a Targa 47 that could take a decent jet-rib, however this is my first boat and I was advised to go for something smaller (until more experience etc)

 

[bluetooth]

Video i've been meaning to post since the summer for T40 towing a donut.
Dont recall the diesel taking a crazy hit
See link to Fairline FB page as was easier to upload there !!

Facebook Groups

 

[danieleither]

Well - it actually worked a treat. The wake is excellent for donuts, very smooth when directly behind the boat - but aggressive enough to flip them out when you turn hard. Obviously fuel consumption is far from ideal, but as it's an extreme activity, it's not something you do for an extended amount of time. There was no issue with diesel fumes whatsoever.

As you can see in the video, I used a towing bridle across the rear cleats. Also not visible I used a small towing elastic (shock absorber) on each cleat - probably wasn't necessary but could only help in preventing excessive pull on the cleats.

When the guys fell out, I would just stop the boat, double back and carefully loop around them with the towing line before putting the boat into Neutral while they climb back into the donut. For dismount back onto the boat, switch engines off and pull the donut to the swim platform manually.

Towing ringo with a Fairline T40

I'm aware I did get too close to the anchorage in the above video, I'm sure some people were cursing - but mistake noted and I wouldn't do it this close again.

Conclusion - Yes you totally can tow inflatables with a 42ft MY.

 

[Portofino]

Not wanting to put a damper on this , but having recently been through the insurance renewal malarkey I did see a few policies exclude water toys towing etc .Not something I am interested in but those that are might be more interested in following up if they are covered assuming they are bothered ?
An injured guest or 3 P might be and escalate officialdom hassle - you know compo etc .

 

[BruceK]

That's brilliant and just completely off the wall! Those guys took a pounding in that wake! I'll stick to towing from the dink. Thats plenty adventurous enough to get the wife's approval for this fat old begger. Far more sedate and I can enjoy a beer before it and after

TikTok

 

[danieleither]

That's brilliant and just completely off the wall! Those guys took a pounding in that wake! I'll stick to towing from the dink. Thats plenty adventurous enough to get the wife's approval for this fat old begger. Far more sedate and I can enjoy a beer before it and after

TikTok

HAHA Love this!! To be fair I'd much rather tow inflatables with the tender, however it's a 2.7m Valiant with 4hp outboard. It can barely get on the plane itself let alone pull a ringo onto the plane!

 

[BruceK]

Thats a RIB!! Put a 15 2stroke on it ? ? the one towing above is a 2.8 avon and mine is a 2.9 mercury (below) both with 15's on. A 20 would be awesome if a tad heavy

TikTok

 

[Rappey]

There is that saying " go big or go home"

 

[BruceK]

OK chaps, challenge on, this is how to sneak a ride

 

[Seastoke]

That's brilliant and just completely off the wall! Those guys took a pounding in that wake! I'll stick to towing from the dink. Thats plenty adventurous enough to get the wife's approval for this fat old begger. Far more sedate and I can enjoy a beer before it and after

TikTok

How does that rib pull that belly

 

[BruceK]

Takes a strong back ? ?

 

[Bigplumbs]

Not an option due to garage size Original plan was a Targa 47 that could take a decent jet-rib, however this is my first boat and I was advised to go for something smaller (until more experience etc)

Smaller 40 ft that is a huge boat a small starter boat is 21 or 24 foot ?

 

[bluetooth]

Not wanting to put a damper on this , but having recently been through the insurance renewal malarkey I did see a few policies exclude water toys towing etc .Not something I am interested in but those that are might be more interested in following up if they are covered assuming they are bothered ?
An injured guest or 3 P might be and escalate officialdom hassle - you know compo etc .

My insurance has 3m£ cover.
Don't plan on using it and being sensible

 

[danieleither]

Smaller 40 ft that is a huge boat a small starter boat is 21 or 24 foot ?

Oh really!? It's pretty manageable to be fair, and most of my boating is solo. I did get a stern thruster fitted (to accompany the bow thruster) with remote control - this is VERY helpful when docking solo. And ironically I noticed when you get up to 60ft-odd boats, many modern ones have IPS with full joystick control and hydraulic thrusters with dock-hold - so in a way I imagine that would be even easier to manage solo than my 'little' 42ft-er.. Anyway I'm happy with this for now, does everything I need and more