Equipment Outfitters

A fundamental custom of the sea has been for seamen to help each other out of scrapes. Today’s skippers still offer assistance to those having problems. This may be as simple as a tow back to the fuel dock or launching ramp, or helping free a boat that’s run aground. But both skippers should understand the procedures involved in giving and accepting a tow in order to make the operation go smoothly.

Boat Towing Equipment Needed

The tow line should be sturdy and stretchy. Most boats use their anchor rodes for tow lines. Even if you don’t plan to tow far, you may want protection from chafe where the line passes through fittings. Wrap the line with rags or towels. The most effective towing design is a “bridle” on the towing boat, made up of lines of equal length, attached by bowline to a loop at the end of the towed boat’s line.

Boat Towing Points

The attachment point must be extremely strong. The bow and stern cleats on modern power boats are usually designed strongly enough to withstand towing shocks. The bow towing eye or waterski eyes in the stern may be better suited to the task.

Boat Towing Signals

A VHF radio is the best way to communicate with the other vessel but the universal symbol for “tow line attached securely” is to clasp both hands over your head.

Boat Towing Information

It is the responsibility of the towed vessel to indicate how fast to go. Towing a boat too fast can result in loss of control and cause the boat being towed to plow from side to side or to jolt as the boat hits waves. Outboard and sterndrive boats sometimes surge from side to side unless the drive units are raised. If the drive unit can be kept down, you may be able to use it to steer. Try to stay directly behind the towing vessel.

With any luck, you’ll never be towed. But you should understand what to expect when you offer someone else a tow. Warn your crew as well as the other crew to stay clear of the tow line when it is under extreme tension. Operate your boat in a cautious manner and you’ll have the satisfaction of being a seagoing “Good Samaritan.” Remember: Some day you could be at the other end of the tow line.

Passing the Boat Tow Line

Bring your boat close to the other craft and heave the tow line across. Be sure your engine is in neutral until the tow line is clear of your propeller. If the seas are rough and you can’t get close enough to throw the line, you can tie it to a buoyant cushion and float it over to the other boat.

Taking Up the Boat Slack

When both ends of the tow line are secured to sturdy fittings and the other crew has signaled that it is ready, idle your boat ahead while a crew member makes sure the tow line is clear. As the line comes taut, slowly increase power to the agreed upon towing speed.

Boat Towing Distance

The longer the tow line, the more it will absorb shocks and be less likely to break. In open water, adjust the tow line so that both boats are on the front face of waves. You don’t want to be in the position of trying to pull the other boat “uphill.” In harbors, shorten up the tow line for easy maneuvering.

Boat Towing Steering

With the tow line attached to the stern of your boat it will be difficult to steer since the stern will not be free to turn. Leave extra room when making turns. If the towed boat can steer, it should stay in the wake of the tow boat.

Legal Boat Towing

The courts have held that the skipper of a boat offering a tow is not legally responsible for damages to the towed vessel so long as the towing skipper “acts as any ordinary, reasonably prudent person would.” Although the language is vague, it assumes that the skipper has a level of boating experience acquired with time. If you have any doubts about your own ability to handle a tow, decline the project. You do, however, have a moral (and legal) obligation to save lives. Since you are not responsible for property, you should not get into a situation where you might be accused of damaging property, even if it was done in an honest effort to help. Good seamanship sometimes means standing by until the Coast Guard or some other capable party arrives.

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