Towing Another Boat
This helping hand could turn out to be a tow to safety, an act of kindness, provided you do it right.
by Dave Kelley
November 1, 2004
Secure Your Line
In a pinch, virtually any dock line will work as a tow line, but if at all possible, use a
line at least 75 feet long, with little stretch (if a stretchy line snaps, it's more dangerous than
a non-stretch line). A ski rope is ideal for this kind of situation. If you don't have a 75-foot
line, use the longest one you have on board for the job. If you have a ski pylon or tower, use that
to secure one end of the towline to your boat. Otherwise, secure one end of the towline to a sturdy
deck cleat at the transom of your boat. It's important that you don't tie off to a cleat that's
difficult to reach ' you want to be able to release the line quickly and easily if you have to.
Look Twice, Act Once
Approach the disabled craft slowly, and then circle it clockwise, so you, at the helm of your
boat, can see the other boat and take a look at the surroundings on the water to plan the safest
route possible toward a dock or release point. Pull very carefully alongside the disabled boat, and
tell everyone on board the boat ' actually both of the boats ' to don PFDs. Tell everyone on the
disabled boat, except the captain, to have a seat on board and remain seated until the boat is
safely docked. Explain your plan of action to the captain of the disabled boat: Tie up, and then
begin to tow slowly to the nearest dock/marina release point.
Give 'Em Enough Rope
While still alongside the disabled craft, with both bows pointing the same direction, pass
the tow line across, and have the captain of that boat secure the line to a forward cleat. If you
have a passenger riding aboard, have him or her sit at the transom of your boat and man the
towline. If you don't have a crew member, the captain of the disabled boat will need to sit in the
bow of his or her boat and man the towline. As you VERY SLOWLY pull forward, the person manning the
towline should maintain some gentle tension and hold the line as high as possible to keep it from
possibly fouling in your propeller.
Start Towing
As the towline nears full extension, the person manning the line should call out, 'On the
tow!' alerting you that the slack is about out and that he or she is getting safely away from the
line. Maintain a slow, steady pace to keep the line taut and 'line bounce' to a minimum. While
towing, your boat won't handle nimbly, so give yourself maneuvering room. As you near the
dock/marina, slow down and have a crew member pull in the line's slack to bring the boats closer
together for easier maneuvering. Don't try to attempt a docking. Just get close enough to a dock to
throw a line ashore, and let the dock hands pull the boats in ' first yours, then the disabled
boat.