Insane question!!!!

[acdc96]

My Friend asked me to follow him with my 14ft Jon boat with a 9.9. He has a 22ft cruiser with a sterndrive. He just restored the boat and did a lot of engine work. He said if he breaks down he wants me to tow him down river to the boat ramp with docks!!! The boats would be side by side tied off to each other. I did this with my last boat when a guy ran aground. But that was a couple of years ago with a 18ft cobia with a 110hp evinrude. He also said he'd put my 2hp kicker on his boat.
Is this possible? Or just crazy?
The only advantage I see is where going down river.
Hopefully nothing goes wrong with his engine.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Insane question!!!!

What are your concerns as far as helping him out? Is he looking for a back up if the boat fails to make it under his own power? Besides it being below freezing temps outside, and the dangers that can occur from boating in these types of weather, if your boat is still in the water it may not be as bad as you think. If you need to unwrap your boat from winterization, I would be very cautious but perhaps willing. Depends how close a friend he is I guess.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Insane question!!!!

What does he think 2 hp will do with a 22' cruiser? Going down current will help. A strong current and 10 hp maneuvering 2 boats will be a fun trip,,, up a strong current even more fun....

 

[agallant80]

Re: Insane question!!!!

You will be able to pull him back just not very fast or well. I would insist that he fills you up after Also I would only agree to it on a very nice calm day and not venture far from the docks.

 

[acdc96]

Re: Insane question!!!!

We are waiting till spring or a warm day. I use my boat for hunting and fishing and trailer it. It's also a tidal area it rarely freezes over. When I take the boat out I run it in Luke warm water and put the engine inside.
Water temp in the river now: low 50's *F to high 40's.
Concerns:
Putting to much load on my engine
Swamping my boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Insane question!!!!

I wouldn't tie em side by side as you won't be able to steer plus the size difference in the two boats puts the smaller one at risk of being swamped by wakes from other boats.... Tow him behind you... IF he has a place to mount the kicker tho just put the 9.9 on HIS boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Insane question!!!!

pulled a 37' sailboat with the dinghy and small motor a few miles from an anchorage to the marina. pulling a 22' should not be a problem on a calm day.

Just plan on it being a long and slow trip

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Insane question!!!!

I wouldn't tie em side by side as you won't be able to steer plus the size difference in the two boats puts the smaller one at risk of being swamped by wakes from other boats.... Tow him behind you... IF he has a place to mount the kicker tho just put the 9.9 on HIS boat.

That's my thoughts too. All I can think of is bad things happening if tied together........

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Insane question!!!!

That's my thoughts too. All I can think of is bad things happening if tied together........

I pretty much sunk a jet ski while being towed in by another one, and if we didn't have a knife to cut the tow rope we would have sunk both of them when mine went down. The knots were so tight from pulling/towing that we couldn't get them undone in time when I took on water. Be careful about how you help, safety first.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Insane question!!!!

generally, nothing to worry about.

Always best to head out for test runs like that against the wind and against the tide.

If you tow him (preferred to tying off) set a bridle on your two transom cleats/handles or use a ski bridle so you tow him in the center--although with a small boat that may not matter as much as it does with a wider one.

Use proper line and know your knots (a proper yacht knot can be untied). A long line is better, even if you shorten it up when close to home.

Won't hurt your motor at all.

be sure he is equipped with a properly rigged anchor just in case.

PS I've heard that towing jet skis is a different thing altogether and that's the one thing I won't tow; I'd take the operator to get help. Or home, depending.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Insane question!!!!

sounds like both of you are out of your league. putting a vessel through seatrials, in a frozen river with a only a jon boat for support is a recipe for disaster. Just try and think how you'll explain yourselves to the EMS, fire department and who ever else they have to call to drag y'all out of the water. "Uh, sorry officer, it seem like a good idea at the time...." :/

 

[acdc96]

Re: Insane question!!!!

The problem with towing him behind me is I have a very low transom. I don't have transom hook points or thru hull fittings just cleats.
Speed is not an issue for me. Plus his transom mount is home made and won't handle a 9.9.
I've looked over his boat and ran it in his driveway it seems to run without a problem. I gave it some throttle with it out of gear and revved up great. It's a mercruiser 5.7L V8 with a Alpha drive.
So knowing this engine pretty well it shouldn't fail him.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Insane question!!!!

cleats are fine. Keep an eye on the transom esp when you slow/stop. His boat may actually lift yours some.

wishful thinking about his motor, however, is the road to perdition.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Insane question!!!!

… and don't go too far away from the pier. No reason to run 4 miles upstream to find out if it floats and works. Y'all can just run back and forth within a mile and accomplish the same sort of tests.

If you're wanting to do longer range trials, look into a tow subscription for the time period that you're doing those trials.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Insane question!!!!

If his transom mount won't handle a 9.9 then mount the 9.9 on it anyway and use 1/2 throttle max.
Tying a light small boat to a big heavy boat won't be at all maneuverable.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Insane question!!!!

As said above, it is most probable that nothing will happen. HOWEVER: If you do have an accident the skipper of the tow boat is responsible. Also, as said above: Why not let him put the 9.9 on his boat? He should be able to get 3-4 MPH and will have better maneuverability than if under tow.

 

[Stumpalump]

Re: Insane question!!!!

Ain't the internet great! Do it...No! You may die! You have nothing to worry about if you keep distance with a long rope with only a loop over the cleat. Before you get too far ask to do a quick trial pull to sort things out and get a feel for it. Don't sweat it.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Insane question!!!!

It sounds like you only have side cleats?? I would not try to tow that boat with yours. I definitely would not tie up to the side and try to "drag" it.

I once towed a 34' cruiser with a 19' 220 HP IO and I was surprised at how hard it was. When I first hit the throttle to go we did not move, I had very little control as compared to towing a boat of similar size.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Insane question!!!!

I pulled a 30+' wooden deadrise a couple miles through marsh creeks and strong tides with a 17' and a 70. It's what you do here to help others out.

My worse tow was a pontoon broke down not far from his house so I didn't take time to hook up right and he didn't know much about being towed; once he got a liitle sideways he got a lot more and it was a mess. So take time to h ook up correctly and get lined up.

 

[acdc96]

Re: Insane question!!!!

Great news!!!
My neighbor said I can use his boat, a 18ft bayliner bow rider with a mercruiser V6 alpha drive. All he wants me to do is winterizes it and tarp it. He has a custom made frame for the cover. Sounds like a good task for my friend.