Towing a disabled boat-how?

[landlockedsailor]

Another thread about getting tow assistance from other boats prompted me to think about how I would lend assistance to a disabled boat. Your set up? Do's and Don't's?

[BoatCop]

1. Always tow with a bridle.

2. Always use YOUR towline. You don't know the condition of the other guy's.

3. Make sure there's sufficient length of towline to have a catenary (look it up) in the line.

4. Make sure the towed boat is "in step" with yours. That means it should be in the same relative position on waves, wakes or swells. You don't want the tow going down a swell as you're going up one.

5. Make sure everyone in the towed boat is wearing a life jacket. (once you hook up to another boat you own it and the people on board)

6. Tow at idle speed or just a little higher. No "on plane" tows.

7. Never hook a line to a sinking, sunk or flaming boat.

8. Make sure the tow line is fastened to sturdy cleat or (preferably) the bow eye. The bow eye usually has a backing plate so it won't pull through the hull.

9. Have the other boat steer to keep it directly behind you. If the drive or outboard is stuck in a turn position, have them raise the drive out of the water.

[steveiam]

Excellent advise Boatcop---

I have a 20 ft tow strap at all times.
I have been towed once because of a bad battery, jumper cables would have kept me from being towed, I have that corrected now by buying a new battery AND I have jumper cables on board now.
Also I would be sure you have a way to communicate with the other boat, you would think most of the time there will be more than the driver of either boat but IF one boat has only the driver maybe a cell phone number?
Things could go wrong quick and multiply quicker, so communication is important.

[BoatCop]

I don't carry jumper cables on my boat. Never have and never will. A few reasons why:

1. The battery is most often located in the engine compartment or other areas that may have gas fumes. Hooking up cables can cause a spark and BOOM!

2. A dead battery is usually a sign of some other problem. Jumping someone so they can go out on the lake and possibly become disabled miles from port creates more problems than it solves.

3. The other guy may not hook the cables up correctly which can fry their electrical system and YOURS.

I do carry a jump pack. Mostly for my own purposes, but if someone is out on the lake and needs to get back to the ramp, I'll hand the pack to them and let them hook up and start themselves. No danger to my boat or liability to me. But I'll NEVER use it at the ramp so someone unprepared can go out and become a problem for themselves or the water patrol.

[steveiam]

I don't carry jumper cables on my boat. Never have and never will. A few reasons why:

1. The battery is most often located in the engine compartment or other areas that may have gas fumes. Hooking up cables can cause a spark and BOOM!

2. A dead battery is usually a sign of some other problem. Jumping someone so they can go out on the lake and possibly become disabled miles from port creates more problems than it solves.

3. The other guy may not hook the cables up correctly which can fry their electrical system and YOURS.

I do carry a jump pack. Mostly for my own purposes, but if someone is out on the lake and needs to get back to the ramp, I'll hand the pack to them and let them hook up and start themselves. No danger to my boat or liability to me. But I'll NEVER use it at the ramp so someone unprepared can go out and become a problem for themselves or the water patrol.

Much wisdom here--
I am learning.

[BoatCop]

Much wisdom here--
I am learning.

I've spent the last 38+ years, between the Coast Guard and my current job, helping people on the water. From the minor "routine" tows, sinking boats, towing through the surf, medivac-ing/treating injured and burned victims to fighting tanker and freighter fires and anything you can imagine on the water, big and small.

You learn quite a bit from trial and error, experience, training, investigating accidents & mishaps, and listening to those who've been there and done that. If I can pass some of that down to others to make their boating experience more fun and enjoyable, then my job is complete. Boating is supposed to be fun and bring families and friends closer together. But there's nothing fun or enjoyable about a lot of the stuff I've seen and been through.

I wouldn't wish that side of it on my worst enemy.

Stay safe, my friends.

[curtiscapk]

you rock sir

[sunnyside]

We've boated for many years and been tooning for less than a year but I always carry a Jump Pack. Only had occasion to use one a few times (myself and others) but great to have if/when you need it. Just recently had to replace my old one but wouldn't be without it on a boat. Also, comes in handy if you have battery trouble with vehicles, ATV's, generator, tractor, and etc. Good investment.

[tuned]

Great stuff here. Another little tidbit:
If using a small boat to tow with, especially at the marina where maneuvering is difficult, it is easier to tow from the bow of the little boat. It is almost impossible to steer two boats when towing from the stern of a little boat, but it gets much easier when you are pulling in reverse.
I've watched my marina guy do this quite a few times. He brings in BIG boats with a twenty horse on a 14 foot Lund in high winds. Once he gets them close to the ramp, he drops the line and pushes them up to the trailer with a tire and boat cushion that he has permanently lashed to his bow. Pretty slick.

[landlockedsailor]

Wow, hadn't thought about ANY of this stuff. Yes, much learning going on! And most important ah-ha for me right now is Don't Tow another boat. I have nowhere near the knowledge, wisdom, experience, etc. to tow someone else.

I'd be happy to render other assistance (phone, water, CPR). This whole motoring thing is sooo new to me. If I was in a big sailboat, I'd be fine towing another sailboat (well, under 38' anyway.)
I love this forum- you guys are great! And BoatCop, I looked up your terms & googled pics of same. I agree with Curtiscapk- you do ROCK!

[Marineengineer]

I am a "Deep Water Sailor" by Trade, and everything that BoatCop has stated is so true. We seem to have to rescue some 'UN-PREPAIRED" individual at least 3-4 times a year, stuck in a current going away from land, no radio, no water, some with life jackets, some with not. It has happened in the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean. Race, color or creed makes no difference, all countries have people who think they know more than they do. Also, if you don't know what your are doing, take a 'Boating course', there is some much to learn. It cost @$45.00 per person, how much is your life worth, your best friend, your kids. Sound really in-expensive to me.

[Bamby]

I have a 20 ft tow strap at all times.

I've towed in more than a few boats myself over the years but there is no way I'd even think about utilizing a rope strap or anything as short as twenty feet. If some jerk should cut you off and stop progress you haft to have plenty of room behind you allow the towed boat to loose it's momentum. Remember the towed boat has no ability to hit reverse to stop it forward progress so it's needs enough room to loose it naturally due to water resistance. This distance can varies considerably in real world applications, hull design, weight and other factors all come into play here. But I consider 20 ft. to short even towing a disabled boat under the best of conditions myself, I like a minimum of about 50 ft. and sometimes longer between me and the boat I'm towing in.

[sunedog]

I have a 20 ft tow strap at all times.

I've towed in more than a few boats myself over the years but there is no way I'd even think about utilizing a rope strap or anything as short as twenty feet.

Agreed.

Also want to add my suggestion: Attach a ski vest or PFD on the tow rope about half way between your boat and theirs. Serves two purposes. 1) A long tow rope may be not be immediately visible from a distance and some jerk may try to cut between you and the boat you are towing. 2) If the tow rope breaks under tension, it will (hopefully) dampen the energy and keep it from hitting someone on either boat.