Pram Variation for Single-Line Tow Painters (bow lines) should be at least 3½ times the length of the boats being towed. Loops are formed at the end of the painter. Starting with the last boat, painters are led successively through the loop in the painter of the boat ahead. The first boat picked up will be the last boat on the tow line. The loop at the end ot the towline shoudl be a bowline knot. The painter of the last boat is led to the safety boat.
When the safety boat releases the tow, painters come undone like a chain stitch. This is an excellent method to use with young sailors who may have difficulty untying knots that have been tightened by the strain of towing.
Starting with the last boat, painters are led through loops until first pram whose painter is led to the safety boat. Release by safety boat releases all boats - no knots to untie!
Boat 1 Boat 2
1Boat 1 is taken under tow using its painter.
2Approach Boat 2. Towboat crew takes the painter of Boat 2 and passes it through the loop of Boat 1’s painter.
Boat 1 Boat 2 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.
Towing details should be adjusted based on boat type. International Optimist Class Rules 4.3b specify, a painter of a single piece of buoyant rope, not less than 5 mm diameter and not less than 8 m long securely fastened to the mast thwart or mast step. When towing Naples Sabots, have sailors pull up the leeboard. When towing unmanned dinghies, take the rudder out and put it in the empty centerboard case to help with tracking.
Towline Towlines should be inspected frequently to insure they are free of knots and frayed spots. Use 5mm floating line. To improve the maneuverability of the tow boat, the towline should be fastened either to a towing pylon (bit) near the middle of the boat or to a bridle with a quick release fitting.
Towline Communication Make sure those being towed know the basic hand signals associated with towing, such as come closer, slow down, towline is tied (okay signal), cut/let go the towline, etc.
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