Best way to tow someone if they are broke down?

[haknslash]

Today I was on the lake Tuscaloosa with @Bill D and when we left to head home we saw a group of folks flagging us down for help. Pull up and it's like 6-7 college kids and they are broke down in what looks like a big ass keg boar. I kid you not. It was wooden on the back and rounded off just like a barrel. Not sure how they all fit in the thing as it looked like a 2 seater vintage craft but it would not start. I had my wife and daughter with me and I wasn't sure if my boat could even tow another safely. We had to go about 2 miles to the dock but I was t sure how to tie them off my boat. Would the rear tow on the swim platform even hold another boat or would I need to use each cleat?

I tried to call Bill but no answer so I told them to hang tight while I ride back to where we were swimming with Bill about 3 miles or so but they had already left and went somewhere else. So I ride back to the college kids and their boat is gone. So I think either they got it started, it sank or they got another tow. I head to the launch ramp and I spot them about a mile away, pulled up next to them and they thanked me for trying to help but they got it to crank. I was relieved for them because I didn't want to leave them out there. They said they had been broke down for a while and flagged a lot of boats but nobody came over to help.

Anyways what's the weight limit I can tow a boat and how do I hook up another boat safely just in case I need to tow someone else.

 

[Bill D]

Dang @haknslash! We must have just missed you. We headed up the lake. Sorry Bud.

Anyways when I've towed a distressed boat, I use one of these. They're meant for tubes, but I've found that it works just fine for towing boats too. I hook to the rear cleats on each side and run the 50' rope I carry.

 

[Speedling]

Been talked about before but i will tell you how i do it after watching some tow companies at Cumberland.

Long rope. I tie it from tie down then through the dead boats bow hook then to your second tie down hook.
This is for higher speed towing through choppy waters and longer range.

When at the destination or in a no wake zone etc put the boat along side yours with fenders between and tie front and back tightly. Then bring the dead boat alongside the dock so they can tie off.

This is the safest for both boats.

 

[haknslash]

Nice @Bill D ! What thickness size rope do I need? Yea I figured we just missed y'all but it's all good. Btw is your cell supposed to be North Dakota area code lol?

 

[Bill D]

Lol, nope! Sent you a PM.

 

[Bruce]

My solution would be a 1/2" dock rope between the transom tie down u bolts with a 100' 3/8" anchor rope clipped to the middle of the 1/2" rope and to the bow of the distressed boat.

 

[swatski]

@Bill D Do you pull tubes off the rear cleats as well? Just curious. I hate pulling tubes and never know what to use.

@Speedling and @Bruce - we have learned from @McMark that those transom tie downs in our boats do not necessarily have any backing... Made me really wavering about usage...

 

[Bill D]

@swatski, to be honest, I've pulled a tube from our boat like 5 times... And they were all from the tow hook on the walk thru. It makes me nervous the entire time, and I'm always somewhat jealous of all the blissfully ignorant folks I see running around the lake with two tubes yanking at the stern of their boat.

The harness came with the boat and seemed like a useful tool for towing things. I bet that the "couch" tubes can be more weight than a boat. Boats are made to move through the water. Tubes... Eh, efficiency is likely not their primary agenda.

I really have no idea what kind of load a cleat, tow hook, or D-Ring is rated for. The original owner of my boat reinforced the transom D-Rings so he could use them to lift the boat onto his dock. So the two of them can definitely support the rear half of a 242.

I attached some pictures of the reinforcements and my baby hanging in the wind before we knew each other.

 

[swatski]

@swatski, to be honest, I've pulled a tube from our boat like 5 times... And they were all from the tow hook on the walk thru. It makes me nervous the entire time, and I'm always somewhat jealous of all the blissfully ignorant folks I see running around the lake with two tubes yanking at the stern of their boat.

The harness came with the boat and seemed like a useful tool for towing things. I bet that the "couch" tubes can be more weight than a boat. Boats are made to move through the water. Tubes... Eh, efficiency is likely not their primary agenda.

I really have no idea what kind of load a cleat, tow hook, or D-Ring is rated for. The original owner of my boat reinforced the transom D-Rings so he could use them to lift the boat onto his dock. So the two of them can definitely support the rear half of a 242.

I attached some pictures of the reinforcements and my baby hanging in the wind before we knew each other.

View attachment 45453 View attachment 45454 View attachment 45455

Man - that looks pretty awesome. I wouldn't worry about a thing pulling from those tie downs, the way those are enforced!

Now I'll need to do the same.