Has Anyone Tried a Dinghy-Tow?

[Soon2BCruiser]

I was talking to a fellow sailor at my yacht club this afternoon about dinghy davits and he mentioned something about a dinghy tow as an option. I have looked it up and was wondering if anybody has any experience with these and what their thought were on it.

[GordMay]

I've happily approximated (not the actual product) the Dinghy Tow method, over decades, when sailing Lake Superior. At that time, we had very small, easilly removed, outboards (<5HP), and never sailed further than 100 miles between anchorages.
➥ Davron Marine Products (Dinghy-Tow)

Others will (rightfully) advise that it's not a substitute, where davits are required (longer, open water passages).

[Solitude]

I didn't know what you meant so I Googled it. Is this it. Interesting for those that don’t have a dinghy dock. Lot of windage in the upright position.


Davron Marine Products (Dinghy-Tow)

[Solitude]

Gord you beat me to it!

[Soon2BCruiser]

I figure we would put it on the deck for ocean passages if we had dinghy davits or tow dinghy either one. I expect the same would be true in rough weather in areas like the Chesapeake Bay.

[Cheechako]

Depends on your intentions... local daysailing...? fine
If you are going any further it looks like trouble to me. Davits would be superior for sure.

[Solitude]

Looks like something you could easily build yourself.

[Paul L]

I've had a dinghy-tow for 5 or 6 years. They work really well. It puts very low drag on your boat, so you effectively do not loose any sailing speed. In protected waters I leave the outboard on. If it is a longer passage or in less protected waters, I take the outboard off. I've used it on the outside of Vancouver Island in pretty rough stuff without problem. For long passages I put the dink on the foredeck. One thing I really like about it is the quickness you can get your dink ready. No fuss, no muss.

Paul L

[bill good]

What a good idea!!
Just after I fitted davits. Please put up the next best idea before I do it!!

Regards Bill