May be a dinghy question.....

Fly'n Family

Active Member
Sep 19, 2013
812
TX / CO
Boat Info
2008 Meridian 341
2004 Boston Whaler Sport 130 w/40 hp Merc
Engines
6.2's
But I have to ask.

Bought the kids a Brig 310 Baltic with a 15hp outboard. They're loving it. When I get home from work in 10 days, they want to use it in our favorite cove to explore and putt around.

I have a 98' 310, can I pull it the couple of miles behind it.......safely? Has the standard swim platform, not sure if I can put the nose of the dinghy on that and secure it with the back 7 feet or so in the water - or do something to just tow it a little ways behind the boat? Obviously I would be doing this at a slow speed.

Any thoughts on doing this legally and safely?

Thanks
 
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A friend of mine used to tow his RIB that way behind his 330 Sundancer and had no problems. Use lines from both stern cleats to keep the bow tie down centered on the swim platform, and use lines from both cleats to run to the stern to keep it centered behind the boat.
 
I did that for a crossing of georgian bay. I did take the motor off though.
 
Thank you for the response, did he keep the motor on it? I really don't want to have to remove it.
 
In calm seas I'm sure it would be fine. I didn't want to risk it crossing the bay.
 
I have a Walker Bay Genesis 310 (center console) that I tow behind my boat everywhere I go. I use a standard tow rope like what you would use for tubing. It seems to put he boat it at the right spot in my wake. I am able to lock my steering and I leave the motor on and down, it acts as rudder and keeps the boat straight. I go cleat to cleat with a line on the stern and thread the tow rope through it. Then it's full speed ahead. Been in the 20kt range. Big seas I shorten the lead and the speed.
 
Fly, yes, he left the motor on but tilted it up so the majority of the lower unit was out of the water. If you do that, use one of your dock lines to secure the motor in a "straight" position so it can't flop to the side and cause the dinghy to veer off to the side.
 
Great info guys, I'm going to give it a shot in the suggested method above when I get home.

Really appreciate the input.
 

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