NoBassPro Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Went out fishing this evening and there happened to be a guy stranded in the middle of the lake in a large pontoon boat. Now once we got lined up and going in the right general direction it was pretty simple, but with the ten foot (maybe) rope the guy threw me and a little bit of wind and waves, getting the things lined up and turned around was a chore. My boat is far from the fanciest rig out there, and there was no place I felt too confident tying him up to, when things started going the wrong way I wanted to be able to release it before my boat potentially got damaged Since there are alot of pontoons on the waters I fish, and not all of them are out for the winter, thought I'd ask if anyone has any tips for getting things started a little easier should this occur again. Not many other boats out there right now. Also, is there a reasonable place to attach a tow rope to a fiberglass boat that's not even really designed to tow a water skier? My arm got a bit tired before we got to the launch. Quote
grampa1114 Posted October 19, 2011 Posted October 19, 2011 Well...first, you have to understand that as soon as you take control of the other boat, you are responsible for it...so think it out before you hook up. Make sure that you know where you are going and what you will do when you get there...make sure that the other guy knows as well. Ensure that you are pulling the center of the other boat and use both(if possible) of your ski tow loops on your stern. It helps to have 2 boat lengths of rope between the boats for a maneuvering buffer. This is not a race so take your time. Ensure that the other operator keeps his outboard in the water and straight, to ensure a straight tow. Don't expect a lot of gratitude as he will be agravated in the first place. Take comfort in the fact that someone may help you some day. Thanks for helping a fellow boater in need. Grampa Quote
Super User Jig Man Posted October 19, 2011 Super User Posted October 19, 2011 My first suggestion to you is get a long rope and keep it in your boat. I always carry at least 2 40' on board. Quote
Mudwalker Posted October 21, 2011 Posted October 21, 2011 Went out fishing this evening and there happened to be a guy stranded in the middle of the lake in a large pontoon boat. Now once we got lined up and going in the right general direction it was pretty simple, but with the ten foot (maybe) rope the guy threw me and a little bit of wind and waves, getting the things lined up and turned around was a chore. My boat is far from the fanciest rig out there, and there was no place I felt too confident tying him up to, when things started going the wrong way I wanted to be able to release it before my boat potentially got damaged Since there are alot of pontoons on the waters I fish, and not all of them are out for the winter, thought I'd ask if anyone has any tips for getting things started a little easier should this occur again. Not many other boats out there right now. Also, is there a reasonable place to attach a tow rope to a fiberglass boat that's not even really designed to tow a water skier? My arm got a bit tired before we got to the launch. I carry a Y harness similar the ones used for pulling an inflatable tube and a 40' rope. I connect the Y harness to my transom and the end of the rope to the towed boats bow eye. Works like a charm plus I have the rig is I need a tow. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted October 24, 2011 Super User Posted October 24, 2011 The best way to "tow" a boat short distances on calm water is not to tow it. Tie it up alongside with fenders between the two boats. Tie a "spring line" from the forward cleat on the towing boat, to the aft cleat on the boat being towed. Then, to keep them together, tie them together forward cleat to forward cleat, and aft cleat to aft cleat. The spring line takes the strain of towing, and the other two keep the boats together. That eliminates the towed vessel from gliding out of control when you slow, or get to the dock/beach. Secured together, the "towed" vessel can be brought alongside a dock, secured to the dock, and then separated from the assisting boat. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 24, 2011 Super User Posted October 24, 2011 I would NEVER tow a boat from the top rail cleats. They aren't designed to handle such forces. Use your transom ties and the bow ring of the disabled boat. Quote
NoBassPro Posted October 25, 2011 Author Posted October 25, 2011 The best way to "tow" a boat short distances on calm water is not to tow it. Tie it up alongside with fenders between the two boats. Tie a "spring line" from the forward cleat on the towing boat, to the aft cleat on the boat being towed. Then, to keep them together, tie them together forward cleat to forward cleat, and aft cleat to aft cleat. The spring line takes the strain of towing, and the other two keep the boats together. That eliminates the towed vessel from gliding out of control when you slow, or get to the dock/beach. Secured together, the "towed" vessel can be brought alongside a dock, secured to the dock, and then separated from the assisting boat. This sounds like it would make maneuvering much easier. Not quite sure how to lash a 18' boat to 28' boat tho unless the other boats outboard would work as enough of a rudder. The biggest problem we encountered was the towed boat kept wanting to drift in a straight line while we were trying to get it turned around, and it would start dragging my boat with it when it got to the end of its leash. We were able to use my boat to get his onto a waiting trailer, so it ended well. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted October 25, 2011 Super User Posted October 25, 2011 This sounds like it would make maneuvering much easier. Not quite sure how to lash a 18' boat to 28' boat tho unless the other boats outboard would work as enough of a rudder. The biggest problem we encountered was the towed boat kept wanting to drift in a straight line while we were trying to get it turned around, and it would start dragging my boat with it when it got to the end of its leash. We were able to use my boat to get his onto a waiting trailer, so it ended well. I'm speaking from plenty of experience, having been on both ends of tow jobs. I was a commercial lobsterman for more than 25 years with thousands of hours experience on the water in all sorts of conditions. It is the way towing is done in close quarters and narrow channels. In the ocean, a boat is always towed in the usual manner. The rougher the seas, the longer the tow line. When the shelter of the harbor or river is reached the vessels are usually lashed side by each for better control. This is the procedure used by harbormasters in our area whose boats have the tie up cleats that come with Boston Whalers, Makos, Aquasports or whatever brand they may use, and they do it without a problem. They often have to negotiate between moorings to get to a boatyard's dock. It is done as I said, slowly, with only enough power to maintain headway in river currents and eddies. I learned something from the following video. It's better to use two spring lines, and the towed boat should be positioned forward of the boat doing the towing. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 25, 2011 Super User Posted October 25, 2011 This is the procedure used by harbormasters in our area whose boats have the tie up cleats that come with Boston Whalers, Makos, Aquasports or whatever brand they may use, and they do it without a problem. Are these bass boats? Perhaps their bow and stern cleats are heavier duty than what is on most small bass boats. Again, I would NEVER tow a boat by these. They are meant to hang a fender, and tie a loos connection to a dock, not towing. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted October 25, 2011 Super User Posted October 25, 2011 The two boats in the animation looked like inflatables. The two boats in the video were a Boston Whaler, maybe a Montauk, and a sailboat. It matters not that they were not bass boats. Under calm conditions and at headway speeds the cleats on a bass boat are more than adequate, unless you could rip them out by hand. I've seen small outboard boats handle 55 foot lobsterboats in the side by each method, in the calm waters of a river. The local boatyard uses a small boat to pick up commercial fishing boats at the town dock to take them to the railway for haulout. I just went out to check the cleats on my boat. They are each secured with four bolts. More than adequate for side by side towing in calm waters. But, you are correct, they are not made for towing. Then again, neither is the bow eye or the tie down U-bolts on the stern. In fact no pleasure craft that are used by members on this forum are made for towing. Sometimes circumstances dictate that we use our vessels for unintended purposes. Knowing how to tow in various circumstances comes by learning, either reading or actually doing it. In towing, there is no one size fits all. What's best in open water for long distances is different from what you would use in tight quarters where absolute control over the towed vessel is necessary. Tug boats towing barges behind entering Buzzards Bay headed for the Cape Cod Canal will "drop" the barge. Then they will run the tug up behind the barge and bring the bow into the vee at the stern of the bow. Finally, hawsers connected from the barge to winches on the tug will be tightened until the two vessels become one. This gives the tug operator total control over the combination for the trip through the canal. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 25, 2011 Super User Posted October 25, 2011 OK, Tom, I'll defer. You can tow the idiot in the sailboat in. I'll call the sea tow service for them - I just checked, I'm not insured to tow a boat. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted October 25, 2011 Super User Posted October 25, 2011 Actually, yours is the best solution since the tower assumes all responsibility for injuries and damage caused during the tow. I'll defer to your phone call. Quote
grampa1114 Posted October 26, 2011 Posted October 26, 2011 Nobasspro...I still say that you should be commended for attempting to help someone in need...By staying and lending a hand instead of calling for a tow you aided the "peace of mind" and probably showed the other guy how to help someone in need of help, later. The best advice when you are helping someone is to make sure that you are "helping" and not "hindering"...Your instincts and common sense are normally your best tools...again thanks for lending a hand... Grampa Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 26, 2011 Super User Posted October 26, 2011 Nobasspro...I still say that you should be commended for attempting to help someone in need Yep, always stop and ask if they look like they need help. If anything, it promotes the idea of aiding someone else to them. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped to ask, to hear them tell me they were just waving. OK, next time don't be so enthusiastic, LOL. Quote
NoBassPro Posted October 26, 2011 Author Posted October 26, 2011 Honestly, there were no other boats on the lake at the time and this lake has no navigational hazards, so I'd have had to go out of my way to damage anything other than the boats in question. I guess you could slingshot a towed boat into a dock or something and cause damage, but that would almost require effort. Think I'll just ask if they happen to be lawyer or lawmaker before I offer assistance in the future though. Quote
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