[CKF Info] Towing

[dennis]

Chuck,

I was going to say the same thing.  

I've tried towing a kayak from a Sailboat over even a short distance without
much luck.  I was also very concerned with the stress on the kayak deck
fittings.

I have had good luck securing the kayak to the Stanchions and lifelines on
the Foredeck opposite the Spinnaker pole.  Be sure to face the hull toward
the Centerline of the boat to avoid snagging the jib sheets and be sure you
can get to the anchor well. The only problem is that only one Kayak will fit
there unless you do without the spinnaker.  I have also transported
additional kayaks on the Cabin trunk roof, but they do get a bit in the way
in that location, but it's been done.

 

Good Luck, Sounds like a fun time.

Dennis

 

  _____  

From: info-bounces at list.ckf.org [mailto:info-bounces at list.ckf.org] On Behalf
Of Doug
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 9:30 AM
To: Chuck Fowler
Cc: CKF
Subject: Re: [CKF Info] Towing

 

Chuck-

We've tried lots of configurations and rigs for towing kayaks. Bottom line
is that it usually works well if going UNDER 4 kts, but at 4kts everything
becomes quite unstable (boats spinning longitudinally, even in calm seas) .
And over 4 kts we have found nothing practical for moving two, on their own,
without being supported on pontoons or a towable raft. If you have a big
enough dinghie, it will be stable with a load of kayaks, but, unless you can
set up a very low CG with other gear in the boat, it too becomes unstable,
even in pretty calm water. 

 

With all of that said, we have had great success at towing 14 kayaks laced
in a big macrame raft, at 3.5 kts. It was a wild ride!

 

Take the easy (and safe route) and put your kayaks onboard for this short
journey.

 

Joanne

 

On May 12, 2008, at 8:26 AM, Chuck Fowler wrote:





Hey Gang:

I am sailing to Catalina for the 4th of July and would like to take my boats
with me for some paddling at the island.

Has anybody out there towed a sea kayak over open ocean? Any tips?

I have a great deal of sailing experience with towing dinghies and the like
but not kayaks.

I have a Current Designs Gulfstream and Squamish. Our speed will be in the 5
to 7 knot rainge. 

If the sailboat were big enough I would put them on deck but we are going on
a 36' sailboat with a total of 6 people aboard. 

::Chuck Fowler
::Greneker Solutions
::3110 E. 12th St.
::Los Angeles, CA 90023
::323 263 9000p
::323 980 1173f 
www.greneker.com

HELP ME SAVE LIVES!
http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/nikesf08/cfowler

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