GL: Towing a Dingy

[M S]

Can you do it? Sure, lots of people tow dingys. On calm short runs from anchorage to anchorage, I will sometimes do it.
   
  As far as going into marinas and locks, no thank you. Assuming you are doing the loop, you will regularly be going into unfamilar situations in tight quarters. You might find an occasional dock master who will hang onto the dingy while you dock, most will look at you like you are an idiot. At best you will have to do a lot of explaining and take a lot more time figuring out how to get into the marina. (Example: A few weeks ago I was going into a marina with a strong current. After being told to go in the wrong slip, the dockmaster waved me off and pointed me to the correct slip. I had accounted for the current getting into the wrong slip and when I pulled back the current caught me. I managed to save it and get into the correct slip. Apparently we were the dock entertainment as people congradulated us as boats regularly don't make it. If I had a dingy off either side or the stern, I don't think I would have made it and something would have been damaged.)
   
  There is also the issue of what happens if the weather turns bad. There is risk of damage and loss of control if waves start yanking on the dingy in rough conditions. 
   
  If you can work something out to store the dingy on davits or the bow, I think you will be happier in the long run. When looking at the cost of the upgrade, balance it against the potential to have a cleat ripped out of the deck during bad weather or sideswiping a gold plater coming into a marina due to the hassel of towing a dingy.
   
  I don't think it is poor seamanship to tow a dingy, but I prefer the conservative approach and having options.
   
  Mike
  Valhalla II
  Gemini 3400 (433)
  Vero Beach
   

       
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