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I intend to tow a water toy for the kids this year. Where should I attach tow lines on the boat?

Thanks in anticipation

I pull my kids on a tube with the line connected to the rear mooring cleats via a line and pulley available from shops who sell ski's etc. Whether this is the right place or not I have not had problems as the height of the stern keeps the line clear of the motor.The cleat fixings are strong enough.
I leave the pulley on the outside of the push-pit so that it moves freely from side to side.

We also use the stern cleats. I haven't found a better place. I worry a little about the line getting wrapped on the rudder in the up position so I keep a close eye on it.

BB

I drop the rudders so the line just clears them,but makes it difficult to board the boat.

I drop the rudders so the line just clears them,but makes it difficult to board the boat.

I use the rear cleats, though you're right that the rudders tend to get in the way. Presently I just tie to one cleat and I've had no problems, but I've considered making up a Y-yoke, where I'd have a loose loop running from cleat to cleat, then have a pully running in that loop and tie a line to that, leading to the pull-toy.

That's how I do it on my X. I make a bridle with about a 10-15 foot long piece of line tied between the two stern cleats. I tie a small (floating) fender into the middle of the bridle so that it won't sink down to get in the prop. Then I attach the tow rope near the fender also. The fender comes out of the water at speed.

I had the motor shop install some ski-eye's just above the waterline on either side of the motor.

They backed it with some marine plywood to spread the load. They work fine so far...

Dimitri-2000X-Tampa wrote:I tie a small (floating) fender into the middle of the bridle so that it won't sink down to get in the prop. Then I attach the tow rope near the fender also. The fender comes out of the water at speed.

Oooohh.. good idea! Thanks!

All my tow ropes and bridles are made of that polypropylene (sp?). The whole rope floats...

With my setup, I use those purpose built bridles, made for ski boats. They usually have some additional flaotation built in...

I have one bridle that the tow rope connects to a pulley that rides the bridle. This was a bad choice, as it is constantly changing the load from the tube... I can't keep the boat straight with it...

I too, like Moe, put one on the end of the anchor rode. I made a towing bridle for my dingy that terminates in a small float with a SS ring on it...easy to retrieve and snap on a shackle to get towing. Usually a couple of bucks at WM, but go to afishing store. like 2 or 3 for a buck!

Anyone ever use any kind of rigid towing bridle?

I'd like to pull my canoe behind my Mac, but I don't want it running into the rear...

DLT wrote:Anyone ever use any kind of rigid towing bridle?

I'd like to pull my canoe behind my Mac, but I don't want it running into the rear...

DLT, that sounds a little like the Dinghy Tow. (Previous thread)