92 BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS TOWING MULTIPLE SAILBOATS


The two basic methods for towing most dinghies using their dedicated bowline are the Daisy Chain and Bowline-to-Bowline.


Single-Line Tow 3 x L 3 x L L (Boat Length)


Bowline-to-Bowline Method Boat B towline


Boat A mast


Boat A towline


The load on Boat A’s mast is only that of Boat A and not of any of the boats being towed behind it.


Key Points E Number of boats on a tow depends on the size of the boats and the towing ability of the towboat.


E Towlines should be fastened to a strong point suitable for the pulling load. With sailboats it is usually the mast, unless it is stepped on the deck. Use the Bowline-to-Bowline method to reduce the load on the mast.


E Sailboats can be manned or unmanned depending on the type of boat, how the towline is attached, and if it is led through a fairlead on the bow.


E A long tow reduces maneuverability. E A separate towline is needed for each boat.


Emergency Release Knot A towline tied with this knot can be released while under load. 3 x L or more


Start by taking two turns around the towing bitt or sailboat mast.


Double the line and tie a half-hitch.


Finish with a second half- hitch.


Boat-Specific Points E Lasers with towlines led through bow fairleads can be towed with daggerboards removed without anyone in them, except for the last boat which should have someone in it to control the tow. In windy or rough conditions with masts stepped in the boats, a person should be in each boat to prevent capsizing.


E When towing unmanned 420s, towlines are attached using the Bowline-to-Bowline method around the masts and passing the towlines through an improvised fairlead arrangement at the transoms to keep the boats tracking straight. A person should be in the last boat to steer and control the tow. When boats do not have anyone in them, a flotation device at the top of the mast will help prevent turtling if a boat capsizes.


Table of Contents


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98