Re: Proper way to pull a disabled boat?
The only tip I have is, The best way, I've found is alway's tie on to the bow ring (anchor ring, winch ring) of the towed boat if possible, It is one of the strongest points, and it keeps the bow up as high as possible, so the boat does not "nosedive" into the waves. Also, keeping as much weight towards the rear, of the towed vessel helps this too, because if the boat nosedives, it will pull you more off course as it hits the waves. Speed should be slow normally, but if conditions are right you can speed it up some, as long as both vessels are staying on course, and moving safely, but it will put more stress on your boat, & motor, and use more fuel of course. The best place to tow from on your boat is the ski tow rings on the transom, both if you can spread the load between them, remember deck cleats are not fastened as securely as those. A standard 1/2" anchor line is pretty sturdy to tow with, but I've used 3/8" line, if the boat is not too big, or heavy, and towing at 5mph.
I towed in a small 16' jet boat last week with my jetski, had the rope tied onto the center ring used for the tie down straps, but he had the rope on a deck cleat, so I had to go slow, and his boat kept weaving from side to side for this reason, and the fact that he had a family of 5 in it (little people though,,,lol), at one time I started to speed up some from idle, and when I turned around to look, my Yamaha water spout was spraying the people in the boat,,,lol. So, immediately I went back to idle., luckily it was not out very far from shore.
