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What rope is recommended for towing another boat? I understand the 3 strand nylon like folks use for anchor lines are too stretchy. Double braid? Nylon, polyester, what? What diameter for towing something like a 17 or 18 foot center console?
I like 1/2" braided Dacron for a medium duty "bull line". Close in strength to nylon without the stretch. 3/4 " for more serious weight. I am not a big fan of "core rope" (line within a braided line). My favorite knot at the end is a "bowline with a bite". I found that the bowline by itself, when slack, may unravel itself. When used with weight, becomes a hatchet knot (hack off the end to remove knot). The bowline with a bite gives a fighting chance for untying later. 3 strand of the same material and size has a little more strength but cutting and keeping the ravel intact is extra work, especially if a quick cut is needed.
Nylon stretches and if it breaks can shoot toward the tower or towee with great force. If it is carrying a deck fitting it will be that much more dangerous. Polypropylene will float, does not stretch and will not target you if it parts. In reality though, as cheap as it is, anyone on the water without towing insurance (Boat/US, Seatow etc) is being foolish. If you agree to tow someone on the water and there is any kind of mishap, you could find yourself in court. I have only once been requested to tow someone. I offered to call a towing service for them and wait for his arrival. If the boat in trouble is in a dangerous situation that may be reason to take an active role in rescue but I would still call for a towing service and turn the boat over to them after the danger is past.
I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.
wing15601 wrote:
Nylon stretches and if it breaks can shoot toward the tower or towee with great force. If it is carrying a deck fitting it will be that much more dangerous. Polypropylene will float, does not stretch and will not target you if it parts. In reality though, as cheap as it is, anyone on the water without towing insurance (Boat/US, Seatow etc) is being foolish. If you agree to tow someone on the water and there is any kind of mishap, you could find yourself in court. I have only once been requested to tow someone. I offered to call a towing service for them and wait for his arrival. If the boat in trouble is in a dangerous situation that may be reason to take an active role in rescue but I would still call for a towing service and turn the boat over to them after the danger is past.
So Sad and True.
1/2 would be good for boats that size. Rope will likely break before your hardware does which would be Much better for everyone both safer and Cheaper. The longer the rope the better. If you have a long way to go I would put out 75'+. Choke up when you get to the dock. At the dock is where you are going to have to most risk for damage so its at that point where you have to ask yourself if it worth it.
In the past I have been both the tower and the towee. 100' of 1/2" anchor rope worked fine. Some stretch is good, a towing bridle that uses both rear eyes and floats is also good. Tie a tee shirt a third of the way from each end to slow down the sling shot of a broken rope.
