Towing an inflatable dinghy can make short trips on calm waters more convenient, especially when you’re shuttling between your main vessel and shore. However, without proper preparation, towing can lead to accidents, equipment damage, or even the loss of your dinghy. Imagine looking back to find your dinghy has flipped or disappeared altogether—an unfortunate reality if safety measures aren’t in place.
When towing, you need to navigate multiple variables like weather conditions, sea state, and vessel speed. These factors can create challenges, but with the right techniques, you can tow your dinghy safely and effectively. In this article, we’ll walk you through the most important safety tips and instructions to ensure smooth sailing when towing your inflatable dinghy.
Key Safety Concerns When Towing a Dinghy
1. Watch the Weather: Avoid Towing in Bad Conditions
Weather can quickly turn a routine tow into a risky operation. Strong winds, large waves, and storms not only make it harder to tow but also increase the likelihood of damaging both your main boat and your dinghy.
Important Tip: If rough weather is expected, lift your dinghy onto your deck rather than towing it. This precaution will prevent damage from waves or flooding, which could cause your dinghy to sink or flip.
2. Limit Towing to Short Trips
Towing is ideal for short distances. Longer journeys put unnecessary strain on both your tow line and the dinghy, which could lead to wear and tear or equipment failure. Plus, longer trips increase the odds of running into bad weather or rougher seas.
Pro Advice: Plan your route carefully and avoid long hauls while towing. For extended trips, it's safer to lift your dinghy onto your vessel.
3. Remove the Outboard Motor
An outboard motor adds considerable weight to your dinghy, making it harder to tow and more prone to flipping. The extra drag and instability can quickly turn into a dangerous situation if you hit rough waters.
Safety First: Before towing, always remove the outboard motor and store it securely on your main vessel. This reduces the overall weight and drag, making towing far easier and safer.
Best Practices for Towing Your Dinghy
1. Use the Right Length Tow Line
A properly sized tow line is crucial. If it’s too short, your dinghy risks colliding with the stern of your boat, especially when speeding up or slowing down. For the safest results, your tow line should generally be 1 to 2 times the length of your main boat. So, for a 30-foot boat, a 30 to 60-foot line is ideal.
It’s also essential to adjust the line length depending on the sea conditions. In choppy waters, position the dinghy in the wave trough for a smoother ride. Avoid towing the dinghy on the front of a wave, as this can lead to instability and increase the risk of flipping.
2. Pull In Your Dinghy When Docking or Leaving Anchor
Before maneuvering in tight spaces, such as marinas or anchorages, always pull your dinghy in close to the stern of your boat. This prevents the tow line from getting tangled in the propeller or other hazards, saving you from damage or a frustrating retrieval operation.
3. Keep a Close Watch on Your Dinghy
Towing requires constant vigilance. Periodically check on your dinghy to ensure it’s riding smoothly and that no issues—like flipping or line failure—have occurred. Assign someone on board to keep an eye on the dinghy during rough conditions or crowded waterways.
Quick Tip: A dedicated spotter can make a big difference in avoiding potential problems while towing.
True Kit's Top Towing Tips
1. Use a Bridle for Balanced Towing
Attaching the tow line directly to both sides of the dinghy with a bridle helps evenly distribute the load, reducing the risk of the dinghy swaying or flipping. This method also minimizes stress on individual D-rings, ensuring a safer tow.
For closed-bow designs like True Kit’s Navigator, the recommended method is to use the three D-ring system. Feed the towline through the center D-ring and attach it to the outer D-rings for better control of bow rise and overall stability. For open-bow models like the Discovery, use all four bow D-rings for excellent tracking and balance.
2. Opt for Floating Tow Lines
Floating tow lines, such as those made from polypropylene, are ideal for towing. These lines stay on the surface of the water, significantly reducing the risk of them getting tangled in your boat’s propeller or any submerged obstacles.
3. Add Ballast to Your Dinghy
While inflatable dinghies like True Kit models offer great performance, their lightweight nature can make them more vulnerable to wind when being towed. In certain conditions, adding ballast can help stabilize the dinghy during towing. Consider placing water bags in the dinghy to temporarily add weight and improve stability.
Pro Tip: True Kit’s catamaran-style dinghies, with their twin pontoons, naturally tow better than traditional V-hull designs. This superior stability is particularly noticeable in windy conditions.
Tow With Confidence
While towing isn’t always necessary, knowing how to do it safely can be a game-changer when you need to move between locations efficiently. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the convenience of towing your inflatable dinghy without unnecessary stress or risk.
Towing doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right preparation and equipment, you’ll be well on your way to a safe and hassle-free towing experience!
