Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

[df909]

I have a 20' Capri I/O with only cleats. I have one just above the transom in the centered right to left and there are two more on the stern on either side. I don't have anything specifically to tow anyone with.

Am I asking for trouble towing a tube or skier with the line attached to the cleat? If so, what would you recommend? Thanks

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

No way unless that one in the middle is actually tied into more than the fiberglass. Docking cleats are normally not anchored well enough to pull skiers or tubers, good way to turn the cleat into a projectile.

 

[df909]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

That's what I worry about. I don't think my kid would appreciate a cleat zooming towards him like a rocket. Any ideas what I can do to safely tow? Thanks.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

That's what I worry about. I don't think my kid would appreciate a cleat zooming towards him like a rocket. Any ideas what I can do to safely tow? Thanks.

I'd install a standard tow ring with a sizable aluminum or wood backing plate to distribute the load.

 

[df909]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

OK, I can do that. I think there's plenty of room to get behind the motor and put that together. I very slowly towed a boat that was on fire with the center cleat and was nervous the entire time. Having the proper attatchment point will be a relief. Thanks again.

 

[DJ]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

If you are talking about one of these, in the center of the transom, it is designed to tow.

The two outer rings are typically called lifting rings. You an tow with those too.

It's always good to have a look as to what is backing them up.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

He's talking about a docking cleat. A lot of older bayliners had 3 in the back. Why they placed one in the middle I've got no idea.

This picture is of an older bayliner L drive, but some of the I/O's had a similiar arrangement

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

you must have transom eyes on the back of your boat that you use to secure your boat to the trailer?

If so, connect one of these. I use it and it's great.

http://www.iboats.com/Airhead-Heavy...92111590--**********.016862447--view_id.38990

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

you must have transom eyes on the back of your boat that you use to secure your boat to the trailer?

If so, connect one of these. I use it and it's great.

http://www.iboats.com/Airhead-Heavy...92111590--**********.016862447--view_id.38990

Might work for tubing, but completely worthless for skiing.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

Might work for tubing, but completely worthless for skiing.

Let's not call the pulley-system "worthless for skiing". It may be less than ideal, but I'd venture a guess that there are as many people skiing with the pulley on the transom u-bolts as there are people skiing on the center ski-ring. Just my .02.

That being said, I installed a ski-ring on my old ski boat while the motor was out just so I could have it for slolam skiing.

 

[df909]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

The picture oldjeep posted is exactly what I have, except I have the 4.3L. The middle cleat is what I was wondering about using to tow with.

The transom eyes sound like a good idea, but my eyes are pretty low and I think would drag in the water as we went forward. Take a look at the pic and let me know if those eyes are too low.

Last, if the middle cleat has a backing, would it work ok? If not, I'll mount a ring and put some wood backing just below the middle cleat.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

Let's not call the pulley-system "worthless for skiing". It may be less than ideal, but I'd venture a guess that there are as many people skiing with the pulley on the transom u-bolts as there are people skiing on the center ski-ring. Just my .02.

That being said, I installed a ski-ring on my old ski boat while the motor was out just so I could have it for slolam skiing.

The rope would be dragging in the spray. If "skiing" means sitting directly behind the boat on a pair of combo skis, then it may work. For actually carving turns, no way.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

Last, if the middle cleat has a backing, would it work ok? If not, I'll mount a ring and put some wood backing just below the middle cleat.

Even with a backing it wouldn't be good. Problem is that all the force on the bolts and the glass is sideways. Better off using something designed for the load. A good skiier can put a tremendous load on the rope attachment point - something like 5x their body weight.

 

[df909]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

Wow, that's a lot of wieght. I think if I got my big butt on skiis I'd end up pulling the entire transom off.

I'll use one of the things DJ posted with the biggest backing plate I can fit. I should be able to fit something as big as 4"x8" as there's a ton of room in the engine compartment.

 

[DJ]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

Wow, that's a lot of wieght. I think if I got my big butt on skiis I'd end up pulling the entire transom off.

I'll use one of the things DJ posted with the biggest backing plate I can fit. I should be able to fit something as big as 4"x8" as there's a ton of room in the engine compartment.

df909,

Even at that, the ring I posted is designed to go through 2" of transom wood AND a backing plate.

You may have that, don't know.

I'm glad we straightened out what you were describing. That is a dock line cleat.

 

[df909]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

I'm gald too...don't want to be unsafe- that'll be a project for pretty soon. So now why would Bayliner put that cleat in the middle??? Hmm...sniffing a bit too much epoxy.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

You could just mount a ski-tow ring right below the center cleat and use a backing plate. If there's room, that's what I would do.

oldjeep, the pulley-style dragging in the water is entirely dependent on the height of the tow-eyes above water. My ski tow ring isn't more than an inch above where my u-bolts are. Results will vary from boat to boat depending on design. I will say that after seeing a picture of the OP's boat-style, his u-bolts wouldn't make a good location for the pulley mainly because they are so close together, but also right at the waterline.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

You could just mount a ski-tow ring right below the center cleat and use a backing plate. If there's room, that's what I would do.

oldjeep, the pulley-style dragging in the water is entirely dependent on the height of the tow-eyes above water. My ski tow ring isn't more than an inch above where my u-bolts are. Results will vary from boat to boat depending on design. I will say that after seeing a picture of the OP's boat-style, his u-bolts wouldn't make a good location for the pulley mainly because they are so close together, but also right at the waterline.

I understand that about the height of the tow eyes. But we're talking about his bayliner, and bayliners have those loops low on the transom.

The other issue with the fixed Y-bridle regardless of height is the snap you get from transitioning from side to side. What the guy linked too was not a pulley style which is for waterskiing.

Even in a boat where the rings are high enough, I'm not a fan of the pulley type. I don't like a system that puts a metal projectile at the most likely point of failure.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Using cleats to tow skier or tuber

The other issue with the fixed Y-bridle regardless of height is the snap you get from transitioning from side to side. What the guy linked too was not a pulley style which is for water skiing.

The link i provided was to a harness to be used for tubing. OP indicated tubing and water skiing.

For clarification, I don't have any water ski experience, and my recommendation is that would solve the problem for tubing and never using the cleats for anything but mooring the boat.