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Over the weekend, I saw a dinghy towing device at my marina. The owner
had very positive views about the device, but he couldn't tell me what
brand it was, what its exact name was, or where it could be purchased.
He came to own it via a trawler he bought, and the towing device was
purchased by the PO.
So here's the description. It is an 8 foot PVC tube (about 2'
diameter), with permanently mounted end caps. These caps are drilled,
and a half inch yachtbraid exits each end. There is a large, about 3"
SS snap shackle on each end; one attaches to the mothership, the other
attaches to the towing eye of the dinghy. The whole contraption is
wrapped in a layer of foam which prevents marring and aids in
flotation. It looks like an 8 foot swimming noodle with snaps on each
end! However, there is a snubbing device in the interior, and it acts
like a shock absorber when the dink jerks.
He is using it to tow an older 12 foot Carolina Skiff with a 25hp
Mercury. He estimates the weight of his dinghy at about 450 pounds. The
tube device keeps the towing line out of the prop, prevents the dinghy
from ramming the trawler, and also makes it track safely in following
seas. He claims the device will not work with a high speed power yacht
because of the prop wash, but it does fine with a hull that moves at 8
knots.
So, what is this mystery device called? Has anyone used it in the past,
and can you provide the pros and cons of the device? Who makes it and
where can it be purchased? If this is a home made device, does anyone
have plans for making one? Any info appreciated, as I have nearly the
same dinghy to tow with Micha. Martin Veiner
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