Towing A Dinghy

These days most cruisers use inflatable dinghies or RIBs as their tenders and most also power these with 9.9 or even 15-hp outboards. The combination can be quite heavy and therefore difficult to hoist on deck when you are heading out sailing. There's no question that a boat will sail better and faster and the dinghy will be safer if it is carried on deck. But, if you are like us, you will tow the dinghy on daily runs in everything but storm conditions.

If you have a small inflatable with an inflatable floor, it will tend to scoot around on its painter and has the capability of flipping if air gets underneath it. For such light dinghies, it is best to remove the engine and gas tank and then haul the painter in tightly so the dinghy's bow is snug against the boat's transom. It will ride there easily and safely even in really bouncy conditions.
With heavier dinghies and RIBs, you need a long painter attached to the boat and a good harness on the dinghy that will spread the towing loads to both side of the dinghy's bow. If the dinghy doesn't have towing rings welded to both sides of the bow, you can add them quite easily. You should be able to buy them and the appropriate glue from the dinghy's manufacturer. The harness should extend about three feet in front of the bow and is then attached to the long painter.

When underway, let the dinghy out behind you far enough so it tows one wave trough behind the boat. You want it to be towing in synch with the big boat's motion through the waves and not chasing down the front of a wave as the big boat climbs the next wave.
Make sure the engine is locked in the up position and that it and the gas tank are well secured to the dinghy with strong lanyards.