towing thoughts General Forum Forums

avatar

Please consider registering
guest

sp_LogInOut Log In sp_Registration Register

Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search

— Forum Scope —






— Match —





— Forum Options —





Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters

sp_Feed Topic RSS sp_TopicIcon
towing thoughts
avatar
tom uter
san diego ca
Member
Members
July 14, 2014 - 12:45 pm
Member Since: November 11, 2011
Forum Posts: 7
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

my de45 has never had to be towed, but i did see the aftermath of a de38 that was towed about 40 miles between catalina and san diego.  the dolphin striker and bobstay were toast and there was other damage as well.  the owner said a bridle was used and attached to the forward deck cleats or sampson posts [don't recall what the de38 has], but in a following sea, the bow swung around so much that the damage was done.

my 1" nylon3strand anchor snubber is attached to the plate at the hull end of the bobstay.  this would seem like a good place to attach a tow line as well [or attach the tow line to the working end of the snubber].  any opinions or experience out there???

Print Friendly
Avatar
Scott Carle
Admin
July 17, 2014 - 7:38 pm
Member Since: October 10, 2009
Forum Posts: 1480
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I have wondered about anchoring doing damage like this in bouncy conditions... I just planned on using a snubber through one of the bollards and another line to the rear to anchor at an angle that would clear the line from the front of the boat.

Print Friendly
Scott Carle DE38 Cutter s/v Valkyr
avatar
popeyeloza
Member
Members
July 19, 2014 - 5:11 pm
Member Since: August 6, 2011
Forum Posts: 26
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I have been using a nylon line attached to that point, which I then attach it to the anchor chain as a snubbing line.  I also have wondered about any damage it could be causing, but it sure works GREAT.  I've sat out a few 25 knot blows thru the anchorages and she rode like a champ.  I would rather have attached it to a seemingly stronger point on the foredeck but can't seem to design a bridle that does not end up sawing at the bobstay at some point during, of course, the night.  I keep looking at the hull to see if anything is working yet but there seems to

I've tried using an old sabot sail, attached to the backstay, as a riding sail, but then I really sailed around the hook.  Maybe If I got a REAL riding sail it would work better? 

Print Friendly
avatar
popeyeloza
Member
Members
July 19, 2014 - 5:19 pm
Member Since: August 6, 2011
Forum Posts: 26
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

There seems to be no signs of movement yet. I'm looking at springier (new word) line, like some of the mooring snubbers but as yet have not made the commitment. I have to say that using that bobstay attachment point, once I got a huge bow shackle, has made for some real quiet nights at anchor.

Print Friendly
avatar
popeyeloza
Member
Members
July 19, 2014 - 5:32 pm
Member Since: August 6, 2011
Forum Posts: 26
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

As for the idea of towing from that point.... I would not use it 

Print Friendly
Avatar
svbodhran
Member
Members
July 20, 2014 - 10:49 pm
Member Since: January 22, 2010
Forum Posts: 84
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

When we're towing barges from Seattle up to Alaska we keep enough chain attached via bridle to the barge and enough towline to maintain a catenary.  Coming up tight on a towline is a bad thing.  I know that most pleasure boats just tie a line to something stout and pull, but when a Benetau lost it's rudder between Tonga and Fiji a few years back, one of my towboat buddies met him mid-ocean with his 34 schooner and towed him for 3 days to get into Suva.  They ended up tying off the towline to the end of the Benetau's anchor chain.  Then the Benetau let out enough chain to keep the line from coming up tight in the swells.  It was slow going, but they got them into port with no additional damage and they were just able to use the normal bow roller and foredeck cleats.

 

Jason

DE32 Bodhran

Print Friendly
Avatar
Scott Carle
Admin
July 21, 2014 - 9:25 am
Member Since: October 10, 2009
Forum Posts: 1480
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Damn Jason, that is just brilliant... so simple but eminently practical also. I love hearing the little tricks of the trade that take you from good jack of all trades level to the next level. That one is getting stored in my towing category of how to do things. Most of the time it is the small things that make the most difference.

Print Friendly
Scott Carle DE38 Cutter s/v Valkyr
Forum Timezone: America/New_York

Most Users Ever Online: 120

Currently Online:
11 Guest(s)

Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)

Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today None
Upcoming None

Top Posters:

Jonathan Oasis: 174

bobmcd625: 165

CAE: 150

mgav451: 143

Rick: 94

svbodhran: 84

Member Stats:

Guest Posters: 7

Members: 364

Moderators: 1

Admins: 1

Forum Stats:

Groups: 3

Forums: 13

Topics: 744

Posts: 3833

Newest Members:

Spirare, BradHartliep, Duncan, MistyDawn, realitysailing, Kwally@sbmn

Moderators: Patrick Twohig: 134

Administrators: Scott Carle: 1480