Towing 15 Sport, is there anything made to affix to bow

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Author Topic:   Towing 15 Sport, is there anything made to affix to bow

dnh posted 11-08-2010 11:08 AM ET (US)
I have a trawler and my 15 Sport is slightly too big to go on the boat a a dinghy without modifications.
I generally am traveling 10-14mph.
I don't feel comfortable towing the 15 with the eye hook that it comes with (which basically has one bolt holding hte boat), as I have had one break before on a boat ramp.
Do they make something to shore up the boat for towing?

2manyboats posted 11-08-2010 12:19 PM ET (US)
We have towed our 13, 17 and 22 hundreds of hours with no problem. We do go slower 7 to 8 kts. If you don't trust the stock bow eye, I would have one fabricated with a small flange on the outside and a washer of some type on the inside. Our 22 Outrage came with something similar as it was used as one of the lifting points to load the boat on a 100ft yacht.
leadsled posted 11-08-2010 12:21 PM ET (US)
I would put a backing plate on the inside under she lifting eye and tie a rope from the bow eye to the norman pin(bow cleat) incase the bow eye failed.
tedious posted 11-08-2010 12:45 PM ET (US)
That's a fast tow. You do want to use the bow eye, so you're pulling from down low to help keep the bow up.
Recommendations:
1) inspect and replace any suspect parts of the current bow eye hardware (and I like the idea of an extra washer on the inside).
2) get one of those mooring snubbers (http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10391|296895|321828&id=33029)
and use it in your towline to absorb shock - towline itself should be nylon for the same reason.
3) use a safety line from the clip or eye on the towline to the norman pin.
4) use a long towline, and adjust it when you change speeds to get the least amount of tugging.
Tim
kwik_wurk posted 11-08-2010 04:50 PM ET (US)
I tow my Montauk with at least 2 points, and sometimes 4.
The 2-point system just uses the bow eye and the norman pin with a single piece of rope (making a "V") and a small bungie strap to keep the line in the bow chalk. This works well and I haven't notice any problems. I used this about 100+ hours last two summers, and was good up to 16 knots.
The 4-point system uses the above same two points ("v" rope), plus two bungees going to the first port/stbd bow rail side stanchion. I glassed in (and re-drilled) the thru-hull side-plate for the stanchion support so it is in solid. From these two interior locations I add heavy duty bungee to the bridle attachment point, and this absorbs shock and excessive swinging. I have only used this 3 times, high speeds (20+ knots) and in nasty nasty wind waves. (I don't think this will work for the 15 without new holes, which is a painful option as owner.)
I do not suggest nylon rope, it has too much stretch, and if it breaks, it will snap (spring) back and break a something (or someone). A snubber or similar shock absorber is definitely needed. (I use a dacron braided line, as it is pre-streched, and is very supple. Followed by a small but heavy-duty section of bungee with multiple loops, this gets tossed after a couple seasons.)
(If your bow eye has broken once already, then I do suggest really getting in a stronger eye bolt bedded down in glass (not just screwed in). Maybe you have done this already.)
deepwater posted 11-08-2010 05:29 PM ET (US)
Try towing the 15 closer to your trawler,,Get it up on the hump closest to your stern and stowing some weight in its stern to help raise the bow
leadsled posted 11-09-2010 08:16 AM ET (US)
In a early 70's catalog it has a section on towing the 13',it may help you.
It reads, Towing:Use of 13' boston whalers as tenders for auxiliary sail boats and power yachts has become commonplace. At speeds below 10 knots, no unusual problem is presented and the advantage of a self-draining boat(plug left open) is outstanding. At higher (planing) speeds , a tendency to yaw from side to side can be overcome by towing on a bridle,both parts separately tied to the bow eye. The engine or equivalent stern ballast should be left in position. Some remove propeller and secure engine straight ahead in operating position for long passages,Warning: avoid nylon tow lines...unless of excessively large size,these stretch like a rubber band and can,in case of accidental breakage,propel hardware like a missile. As precaution against breakage or chafe, secure short extra line loosely from tie-up bit to main tow line.
Note:owner's manual has complete operating information.
MY Warning to you, if that hull slams into a tall wave at 14 mph bad things could happen to the hull if the rope dosen't let go.
dnh posted 11-09-2010 03:11 PM ET (US)
The tows will be short distances, generally 2-10 miles.
I guess, ultimately, I am going to have to get the mast modified to lift my 15. Ugh.
JMARTIN posted 11-09-2010 04:33 PM ET (US)
Put someone on the boat in charge of your tow. Forgetting that you are towing a boat is where I have seen damage done.
I agree with "sitting on the hump" can be the best tow area, but if you have to do an emergency stop, watch your tow.
John
dnh posted 11-09-2010 05:16 PM ET (US)
Unfortunately, its my wife, a 7 year old, a 3 year old, and a 10 month old. No one can watch the 15, but the trawler does have a back up camera.
Anyway, I need to get something bolted through the bow, and I can always run under 10 knots when towing, and that should solve things.

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Author	Topic: Towing 15 Sport, is there anything made to affix to bow
dnh	posted 11-08-2010 11:08 AM ET (US) I have a trawler and my 15 Sport is slightly too big to go on the boat a a dinghy without modifications. I generally am traveling 10-14mph. I don't feel comfortable towing the 15 with the eye hook that it comes with (which basically has one bolt holding hte boat), as I have had one break before on a boat ramp. Do they make something to shore up the boat for towing?
2manyboats	posted 11-08-2010 12:19 PM ET (US) We have towed our 13, 17 and 22 hundreds of hours with no problem. We do go slower 7 to 8 kts. If you don't trust the stock bow eye, I would have one fabricated with a small flange on the outside and a washer of some type on the inside. Our 22 Outrage came with something similar as it was used as one of the lifting points to load the boat on a 100ft yacht.
leadsled	posted 11-08-2010 12:21 PM ET (US) I would put a backing plate on the inside under she lifting eye and tie a rope from the bow eye to the norman pin(bow cleat) incase the bow eye failed.
tedious	posted 11-08-2010 12:45 PM ET (US) That's a fast tow. You do want to use the bow eye, so you're pulling from down low to help keep the bow up. Recommendations: 1) inspect and replace any suspect parts of the current bow eye hardware (and I like the idea of an extra washer on the inside). 2) get one of those mooring snubbers (http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1\|10391\|296895\|321828&id=33029) and use it in your towline to absorb shock - towline itself should be nylon for the same reason. 3) use a safety line from the clip or eye on the towline to the norman pin. 4) use a long towline, and adjust it when you change speeds to get the least amount of tugging. Tim
kwik_wurk	posted 11-08-2010 04:50 PM ET (US) I tow my Montauk with at least 2 points, and sometimes 4. The 2-point system just uses the bow eye and the norman pin with a single piece of rope (making a "V") and a small bungie strap to keep the line in the bow chalk. This works well and I haven't notice any problems. I used this about 100+ hours last two summers, and was good up to 16 knots. The 4-point system uses the above same two points ("v" rope), plus two bungees going to the first port/stbd bow rail side stanchion. I glassed in (and re-drilled) the thru-hull side-plate for the stanchion support so it is in solid. From these two interior locations I add heavy duty bungee to the bridle attachment point, and this absorbs shock and excessive swinging. I have only used this 3 times, high speeds (20+ knots) and in nasty nasty wind waves. (I don't think this will work for the 15 without new holes, which is a painful option as owner.) I do not suggest nylon rope, it has too much stretch, and if it breaks, it will snap (spring) back and break a something (or someone). A snubber or similar shock absorber is definitely needed. (I use a dacron braided line, as it is pre-streched, and is very supple. Followed by a small but heavy-duty section of bungee with multiple loops, this gets tossed after a couple seasons.) (If your bow eye has broken once already, then I do suggest really getting in a stronger eye bolt bedded down in glass (not just screwed in). Maybe you have done this already.)
deepwater	posted 11-08-2010 05:29 PM ET (US) Try towing the 15 closer to your trawler,,Get it up on the hump closest to your stern and stowing some weight in its stern to help raise the bow
leadsled	posted 11-09-2010 08:16 AM ET (US) In a early 70's catalog it has a section on towing the 13',it may help you. It reads, Towing:Use of 13' boston whalers as tenders for auxiliary sail boats and power yachts has become commonplace. At speeds below 10 knots, no unusual problem is presented and the advantage of a self-draining boat(plug left open) is outstanding. At higher (planing) speeds , a tendency to yaw from side to side can be overcome by towing on a bridle,both parts separately tied to the bow eye. The engine or equivalent stern ballast should be left in position. Some remove propeller and secure engine straight ahead in operating position for long passages,Warning: avoid nylon tow lines...unless of excessively large size,these stretch like a rubber band and can,in case of accidental breakage,propel hardware like a missile. As precaution against breakage or chafe, secure short extra line loosely from tie-up bit to main tow line. Note:owner's manual has complete operating information. MY Warning to you, if that hull slams into a tall wave at 14 mph bad things could happen to the hull if the rope dosen't let go.
dnh	posted 11-09-2010 03:11 PM ET (US) The tows will be short distances, generally 2-10 miles. I guess, ultimately, I am going to have to get the mast modified to lift my 15. Ugh.
JMARTIN	posted 11-09-2010 04:33 PM ET (US) Put someone on the boat in charge of your tow. Forgetting that you are towing a boat is where I have seen damage done. I agree with "sitting on the hump" can be the best tow area, but if you have to do an emergency stop, watch your tow. John
dnh	posted 11-09-2010 05:16 PM ET (US) Unfortunately, its my wife, a 7 year old, a 3 year old, and a 10 month old. No one can watch the 15, but the trawler does have a back up camera. Anyway, I need to get something bolted through the bow, and I can always run under 10 knots when towing, and that should solve things.