Tag: towing

The Right Way to Stow your Tender

It’s more fun to tour The Bahamas on your tender. Caves, coves, and shallow waters are the perfect tender setting. But how do you stow your tender when playtime is over?

Tenders come in many styles: small inflatables, fiberglass runabouts, rigid inflatables (RIB), center consoles, and extended limousines tending a superyacht. For most, they are a great part of the boating experience, especially when cruising The Bahamas. Anchored in a secluded cove, there’s no better way to explore the pristine waters than taking a ride on a RIB. Tenders can scoot over the shallows to that private island picnic spot or moonlit beach getaway. In more populated areas, local beach bars await, sometimes only accessible by a tender. It’s the perfect way to access dive and snorkel spots larger boats can’t reach. Which is why it’s so important to know the best way to stow your tender.

Indeed, tenders are fun to play with and enable access to the shallows and shore, but storage, deployment, and retrieval can sometimes be a challenge. Even large yachts have limitations when it comes to tenders, and on small to midsize cruisers, it can be even trickier. The good news is there are numerous options that can work well depending on the size of the mothership and the type and size of tender.

Stow your tender in a garage, like on this Riviera 4800

Garages

Some boats are designed to carry a tender. A properly designed boat garage stows the tender away in a convenient spot and allows for easy launch and retrieval. There are limitations to the size and type of tender that can be carried, but garages are a safe solution, and having the dinghy stowed keeps the boat tidy and out of the way for docking and dockside activities.

Some vessels are designed to work only with a specific type of tender, such as a Williams Jet Tender, and some only accommodate relatively small tenders with or without outboards. The drawback is that garages take up storage space, and launch and retrieval can sometimes be difficult. While many popular manufacturers offer models with tender garages, you don’t see many on boats smaller than 50 feet. Garages are an option for people in the market for a new boat, but some boats simply don’t have them, and some boats are not big enough or the right style to use them.

Cranes

Crane davits are a popular option to launch and retrieve tenders. Flybridge boats controlled from the bridge will often have a crane on the bow and chocks or a cradle that can stow your tender on the foredeck. Then, it can launch while the boat is med-moored. But if the helm is on the main deck, this isn’t really an option. Similar setups on the aft flybridge deck allow some vessels to carry substantial RIBS and hard-bottom boats like Boston Whalers; however, there are limitations to the tender’s weight and size as well as what the deck can handle.

Crane launching is limited to relatively calm conditions because the tender could swing out of control and cause damage. Davit systems require balanced lifting harnesses and substantial tie-downs to keep them stable and secure on deck. Once the dinghy is in the water, chocks can get in the way, but some are removable and leave the decks open for entertaining.

Don’t Stow Your Tender… Tow Your Tender!

Towing a tender is a popular option. There are some very well-thought-out commercially available tow rigs, and properly sized tow harnesses with large lines or cables allow even moderately sized vessels to pull substantial RIBs, Boston Whalers and small center consoles. The key is to figure out an appropriate setup and rig it properly ahead of time. It’s not as simple as tying a line on the little D-ring that is meant to clip your dinghy to a trailer and taking off at 30 knots for Bimini. You must use special heavy-duty tow eyes and three-point harnesses correctly.

Even when properly rigged, towing has limitations. You’ll have to keep watch to ensure the tow vessel is still attached. Electronic tow alarms can help, but someone still must keep an eye on the dinghy, since the skipper needs to look forward, especially in shallow Bahamian waters. That towing rig may be perfect in calm waters, but in the Gulf Stream, things can change fast. If the towline parts, the spring-back whips violently toward the boat and can be deadly; losing a tow and trying to retrieve it in rough water is equally dangerous. Towing also affects the performance and fuel consumption of the pulling vessel, and long tow lines can foul props if not careful when docking. In other words, towing is not for everyone.

Swim platforms

Smaller boats and those not configured for garages, cranes, and deck cradles can still carry substantial tenders. Traditionally, vessels were rigged with hang davits (think the lifeboats on the Titanic). Some still use those systems (mostly sailboats), but those systems can’t handle heavier RIBS and outboards. Modern systems for transom/swim-step tender storage come in all shapes and sizes.

Submersible swim platforms are an option on many boats or as a retrofit for existing vessels. You’ll find swim platforms on boats in the 30- to 60-foot range. They’re popular because many companies manufacture, sell and install these systems. A detachable section of the swim platform is lowered and raised to launch and retrieve by actuator-controlled hydraulic arms. The tender enters a cradle when it is submerged and then is lifted clear of the water for tie-down stowage.

This makes launch and retrieval easy when you stow your tender on the swim platform. There are limitations to the size of tender and outboard that can be lifted, and putting a lot of weight on your transom affects boat performance, so properly matching the right size dinghy for the boat is important. External systems, such as Freedom Lift, can accomplish the same thing without moving the swim platform and may be an easier retrofit for some boats.

Another way to stow your tender is on the swim platform.

Snap davits

Less expensive options that work well on smaller boats include snap davits. Stainless steel davit heads with clips will attach to the back edge of the swim platform and on the dinghy. When the dinghy comes up alongside, it clips on. Although the dinghy remains in the water, it stays in place, making it easy for kids, dogs or anyone else to get on or off. Once everyone is out, cant the dinghy vertically and lock in place with standoff brackets for stowage.

Snap davits work on small to midsize RIBS and a variety of hard dinghies. The basic system requires removing the outboard before the dinghy is lifted either manually or by a winch. A hydraulic lift system operated by a foot pedal can raise and lower larger tenders. A stainless bracket known as a Weaver Leaver keeps the outboard level while the tender is cranked up and then locks in place for stowage.

You can safely launch, retrieve and stow a tender with proper preparation and equipment. And now, you can explore the Bahamian shores to your heart’s content.

By Arnie Hammerman, Southern Boating May 2018

Photos courtesy of Davco Winch Systems and Jim Favors

Top Twelve Towing Tips

Top Twelve Towing Tips

Be a better boater with these towing tips.

When discussing “the laws of the sea” down at the yacht club’s Tiki bar, the big one will invariably be your duty to render assistance to those in trouble while on the water. Probably the most common assistance will be in the form of a tow. Despite the proliferation of commercial towing companies, there will be times when a fellow mariner can arrive on the scene faster than a professional first responder. Let’s take a look at what you need to know in order to protect not only yourself but also those you are trying to help with these towing tips.

Towing basics

Providing a non-emergency tow (i.e. boat and occupants are not in any immediate danger) may be the most common form of assistance, but that doesn’t mean it’s commonly done correctly. Towing is not simply a matter of tossing Bubba your ratty dock line and goosing the throttle. Before offering a tow, there are things that you as the captain will be required to know both from a practical and legal responsibility standpoint. No set of guidelines will be able to cover every variable you’ll encounter, but the following towing tips should be useful for almost any towing situation.

Top 12 Towing Tips

  1. Take a moment to assess the situation when arriving at the disabled vessel. Everyone wants to lend a hand whenever possible, but you have the responsibility to do so without placing yourself in danger or worsening the situation of the other vessel. For example, a boat that’s aground could have sustained significant damage, causing it to sink once towed into deeper water.
  2. When towing, have the disabled boat pass the tow line over to the tow boat. This lets the towing vessel easily cast off once the tow is completed. A nylon anchor rode is ideal for this as it is typically easily available, is long (allowing for length adjustments) and provides good shock-absorbing qualities due to the nylon’s stretchiness.
  3. If the towing vessel has an on-centerline towing fixture (pylon for skiing, etc.), it might make a good place to attach a tow line assuming it is robust enough. Otherwise, you’ll want to make a towing bridle. A simple bridle can be made by running a stout line between your two stern cleats. Attach the towing line to it using a bowline so that the loop can slide along your bridle. Keep the bridle loose enough to provide room for the tow line to slide freely but not so loose that it can come in contact with your propeller.
  4. Establish communications before starting the tow and keep in constant touch throughout the tow. Using your VHF on a “working” or non-emergency channel will likely be the most common means of communication, however, cell phones or even hand signals will work. For the latter, make sure everyone understands the basic hand signals to be used (stop, slow down, speed up, release the tow, etc.)
  5. Once the tow line is attached to both vessels, slowly take the slack out of the tow line until the full load is achieved at which point you can throttle up to a suitable towing speed.
  6. Always agree on where the disabled vessel will be towed prior to heading out. It’s also a good idea to have a contingency plan in place in case something goes wrong
    (deteriorating weather, low fuel, etc.).
  7. Maintain a “tow watch” during the tow, both to make sure the towed vessel is doing okay and to ensure the tow line doesn’t foul your propeller.
  8. If towing in open water, increase the length of the tow line. This not only puts some safe distance between the two vessels but also increases the shock-absorbing qualities of your tow rope. If towing in larger waves, adjust the tow line so that both boats ride in sync with each other at the wave crests, troughs, etc. Boats that are out of sync while towing can experience significant shock loading causing boat damage(ripped out cleats, for example) and injury to those on board.
  9. Shorten up tow lines in calm waters or when maneuvering in close quarters (such as approaching a boat ramp or dock). Always remember that just because the tow boat stops, that doesn’t mean the towed boat will quickly do the same.
  10. Provide chafe protection for the tow line anywhere it touches the tow or towed boat. Old fire hose makes great chafe gear, but even something as simple as a fish towel, old piece of canvas or a T-shirt will work in a pinch. On the opposite side of the equation, always keep a sharp knife handy should you need to sever the towline in the event of an emergency.
  11. Make the tow as smooth as possible for the towed vessel. Try different speeds to find the best speed for both the boat being towed and the conditions.
  12. Never hesitate to decline to offer a tow if circumstances make it unsafe: bad weather, rough seas, your boat is too small, etc. The bottom line is that while you are obliged to provide as much help as possible in the event of an emergency, you also don’t want to attempt something that is beyond your capabilities, a situation that could create civil liability for you, even if follow these towing tips. If the crew is stranded but not in imminent danger, the most prudent course of action may be to simply stand by and provide moral support until a professional tow company arrives to assistBy Frank Lanier, Southern Boating January 2018

For more tips: Trailering Tips

Enter our Summer Photo Contest!

Southern Boating and Airhead Sports Group have teamed up to give away a state-of-the-art tow package.

One lucky winner will take home the ultimate summer prize. Creativity and originality are highly encouraged. Send us an epic tubing wipeout, some spectacular wakeboard tricks, or just a smile on a SUP. Anything goes! Just be sure to send all photos to marketing@southernboating.com

Hurry, the contest ends June 30th!

Use the arrows to see the submitted photos and send us yours!

Full Jet Ski

Little trees fall hard

Smile Pile

The Face

Get Some Air

Wipeout!

Hiking Out

Oh, Hello

The happiest dog

The 3 Best Friends that Anyone Could Have

All Smiles on the Kneeboard

 

THANKS DAD

Catching Some Air

BIG ups

Say Knees! 

A Summer Well Spent

Three’s a Crowd

Greenland Skurfing

Three’s a Crowd

Royal Views

Strictly Sail

Up, Up and Up! 

Fishin’ with my best bud

Here fishy, fishy! 

Tow-less Tubing

 

Uh-oh

Double Uh-oh

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Hot Dog Dance?

Skurf City

 

Sunset Salsa

 

Paddleboard Views

Exit mobile version