BASIC POWERBOATING. SAFETY & RESCUE FOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS 93 Daisy Chain Tow


This method is used for small sailing prams and eliminates the need to tie and untie knots. It requires a painter at least 3½ times the length of the boat attached to the boat with a loop on the other end, preferably a spliced loop. When the safety boat releases the tow, all the painters will come undone like a chain stitch.


Boat 1


1 Boat 1 is taken under tow using its painter.


Boat 1 Boat 2 Boat 2


2 Approach Boat 2. Towboat crew takes the painter of Boat 2 and passes it through the loop of Boat 1’s painter.


Boat 3


3 Approach Boat 3. Towboat crew takes the painter of Boat 3 and passes it through the loop of Boat 2’s painter.


Boat 1


Boat 2


Boat 3


4 The painter of Boat 3 is attached to the towboat.


The painter (yellow) of Boat 2 is passed through the loop of Boat 1’s painter (black).


Boat 2 is on the tow with Boat 1 towed behind it (black painter).


Boat 2’s painter (yellow) is attached to the mast step and led through a fairlead (blue loop).


Boat-Specific Points E When towing with sailors in the prams, the sails should be depowered to avoid capsizing and daggerboards should be pulled halfway up. Instruct each sailor to sit in the middle of the boat and steer to follow behind the boat in front of them.


E When towing prams without anyone in them, any loose gear should be secured in case of capsizing. Some operators recommend removing the daggerboards and inserting the rudders in the daggerboard trunks.


E If rigs are removed, they will need to be stowed in the tow boat. E Optimist sails are depowered by removing the sprit and disconnecting the hook on the mainsheet from the bridle.


E Sabots are depowered by unhooking the boom from the sail. The sails may be wrapped around the mast to reduce their flapping while under tow. Sabots are best towed with their leeboards up or removed and their rudders removed. Towlines may be tied to the mast and a strong point on the transom, which will prevent the use of the Daisy Chain tow.


Table of Contents


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