Suggestions to tow a PWC?

This forum is for comments and the exchange of information relating to Trojan Boats and boating. Please do not post used parts or boats For Sale in this area. For general, non-boating topics please use our "General Discussions" section.

Note: Negative or inflammatory postings will not be tolerated.

Moderators: BeaconMarineBob, Moderator, BeaconMarineDon

Post Reply
User avatar
Longshanks
Registered user
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2015 12:02 pm

Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by Longshanks »

i Just bought my first cruiser (76 Trojan tri bridge) but i want to bring my PWC on trips as well. Does anybody know a way to do that without having to spend thousands on new hydraulic hardware? I contemplated towing with a rigid arm attached to swim platform but i've read some posts that say its hard on the PWC.
Perry
1976 F36
Ottawa
User avatar
gettaway
Active User
Posts: 1142
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:48 pm
Location: Coronado CA

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by gettaway »

What kind of PWC? do you know if the manufacturer has a recommended method of towing? look in the manual
1984 Silverton 37C
Silver Lining
Scott
User avatar
bjanakos
Moderate User
Posts: 498
Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: Richmond, TX.
Contact:

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by bjanakos »

What speed? two lines attached to the aft corners will be fine. If you are planning on getting on plane, thats something completely different.
User avatar
LandVF36
Moderate User
Posts: 436
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:05 pm
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by LandVF36 »

i've used these for years. http://www.towdster.com/ I installed two SS U bolts to the outsiide edges of my swim platform that I clip this thing on to. Simply, works well.
The best part is that if you stop quick, it deflects what you are towing off to the side vs crashing up into the back of your transom.
Current Fleet:
2000 Carver 450 Voyager
1991 Thompson 21' Carerra Cuddy
1994 Scout 15'
2005 Caribe LCX9 dingy
1981 16' Hobicat
Former Owner - 1973 Trojan F-36 "Light and Variable"
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by prowlersfish »

LandVF36 wrote:i've used these for years. http://www.towdster.com/ I installed two SS U bolts to the outsiide edges of my swim platform that I clip this thing on to. Simply, works well.
The best part is that if you stop quick, it deflects what you are towing off to the side vs crashing up into the back of your transom.
Very interesting
Hows it work at speed with a V hull ( they used a pontoon ) ? Rough water ?
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
User avatar
K4282
Moderate User
Posts: 355
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2012 2:12 pm
Location: Bullock Cove, RI

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by K4282 »

I like that towdster!!! but I dont think it would work well on a plane with it that close, i tow my 12ft twender about 20 feet off my swim platform, probably more, it rides in the wake nicely there, bounces around and rolls too close, id have to measure the line i made specifically to tow it to be exact
User avatar
ready123
Ultimate User
Posts: 1841
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 5:53 pm
Location: Mactier, Ontario Canada
Contact:

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by ready123 »

This is classic whaler behind my F32 @ 20 mph.... line from each aft cleat.
Image
Michael
Rum is the reason Pirate's have never ruled the world
Done Dreamin'
1987 President 43' Twin Lehman 225SP Turbo
Highfield 310 Ally 15 HP Yamaha 2cycle
1978 F32 Sedan twin 318 Chry SOLD
Safe Cove Marina, Port Charlotte, FL
User avatar
captainmaniac
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 1917
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:26 pm
Location: Burlington, Ontario

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by captainmaniac »

On plane, tender should ride on the back of the second wave back of the transom.
User avatar
LandVF36
Moderate User
Posts: 436
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:05 pm
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by LandVF36 »

Paul, mostly I've been dragging along a jetski or a 15' "dingy". At 6-10 knots, you really don't know its back there regardless of the seas (although I should point out that being trapped on the Mississippi, getting 2-3 footers is even pretty rare. Whats more common is some jack-wagon passing you throwing a single 4' wake and coming in closer than 20' when doing so. In any case, these things are bound together with bungie lines so it gives and returns the boat nicely to center. Just once when pulling the kids Jetski do recall running on plain and as long as you kept the ski "climing" the first wave behind the boat, its fine. If its falling off a wave, it tends to push and ride up and then the sticks will naturally push it to port or starboard.

One other comment, if you are towing a craft with an outboard, lift it out of the water and it tracks easier + its not so hard on the outboard.
Current Fleet:
2000 Carver 450 Voyager
1991 Thompson 21' Carerra Cuddy
1994 Scout 15'
2005 Caribe LCX9 dingy
1981 16' Hobicat
Former Owner - 1973 Trojan F-36 "Light and Variable"
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by prowlersfish »

I rarely tow the rib and when doing so it seems to get squirrely at or above hull speed I can't even think about planning .It may have to do with being stern heavy ( heavy OB) But that's no big deal if I am going any distance up on the bow it goes .
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
mikeandanne
Moderate User
Posts: 628
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:30 am

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by mikeandanne »

captainmaniac wrote:On plane, tender should ride on the back of the second wave back of the transom.
Yep I agree, thats the rule, been doing it that way for years.......works great and the dinghy or whatever you tow is very stable.........you can get away with the back of the first wave for short calm trips at hull speed.....
User avatar
K4282
Moderate User
Posts: 355
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2012 2:12 pm
Location: Bullock Cove, RI

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by K4282 »

26 knots no problem, 12ft Center Console Rib
Image
yellow floating line with a loop to slide between a dock line going between stern cleats
Image
User avatar
lawyerdave71
Moderate User
Posts: 423
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:24 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by lawyerdave71 »

ready123 wrote:This is classic whaler behind my F32 @ 20 mph.... line from each aft cleat.
Image
OK I have a stupid question - what do you do with your tender when you are docking? Do you tie it up to a side?
Captain Dave -

1978 F30 Flybridge Express
User avatar
lawyerdave71
Moderate User
Posts: 423
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:24 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by lawyerdave71 »

Also, how long are the lines that all of you are using?
Captain Dave -

1978 F30 Flybridge Express
User avatar
ready123
Ultimate User
Posts: 1841
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 5:53 pm
Location: Mactier, Ontario Canada
Contact:

Re: Suggestions to tow a PWC?

Post by ready123 »

My marina has a dinghy dock. When I visit other places I put it where the setup has space, alongside, bow, stern or it's own slip. ;)

My engine is down when towing because it is a 40 HP and really too heavy for that whaler, so it does not clear the water when lifted and therefore is worse than fully down.
Line lengths are adjusted to suit the second wave and can vary with speed and sea.
Michael
Rum is the reason Pirate's have never ruled the world
Done Dreamin'
1987 President 43' Twin Lehman 225SP Turbo
Highfield 310 Ally 15 HP Yamaha 2cycle
1978 F32 Sedan twin 318 Chry SOLD
Safe Cove Marina, Port Charlotte, FL
Post Reply