towing outboards - in gear or neurtral?

[AusCan]

About1 in 20 sailboaters on the Atlantic ICW us their sails on a daily basis.

If I visited the ICW I doubt if I'd be raising the sails or lifting my dinghy. Not really required for flat water.

 

[BruceK]

We used to tow an 11 foot whaler that used to pass us on occasion, when being towed! Exciting to watch it surf by a couple of feet from ramming the stern!....

Towing, outboard in gear,and running, is not recommended.

 

[Nomad Willy]

Mast

I have a dinghy lifting thing called a mast. They are expensive, but it came with the boat. There is a separate halyard for lifting the dinghy onto the saloon roof.

AusCan,
Yes I would have same if we weren’t under covered moorage .. low covered moorage.
I have in mind a fold down inverted “V” type mast made from aluminum tubing much like UL aircraft.
But since we will be anchoring more this summer we may give a go at towing again. My thoughts on this are reflected in my previous recent post.

 

[Group9]

Towing, outboard in gear,and running, is not recommended.

Another narrow escape!

 

[FF]

"They like to use their sails and hate engines and they don’t go very far."

That's probably why sails have crossed oceans perhaps 1,000 times more often than marine motorists?

 

[diver dave]

Towing a tillered OB with engine down will necessitate a way to keep the dink aimed ahead. Thinking ropes here on the tiller. My 15 hp 2s merc has loose steering in spite of how I tighten the swivel adj screw. Uncommanded full lock on the OB will make some excitement in any seas.
I kind of like the drag the line idea behind the dink and keep the motor up. But, I'd darn sure make it a floating line if crossing the banks.

Sea state is a factor. I've witnessed a small dink totally invert and submerge behind a 41 morgan, obviously going slow.