Towing a 22 center-console behind a 70CPMY ?

[Buccaneer]

I’m able to get a 22 foot center console for “a good price.“
Is it worth doing? I would need to tow it behind my 70. And I’m gonna be cruising the 70 up and down the East Coast Maine to the Bahamas. And there’s only two of us aboard the boat.
I think that the logistical nightmare makes it not worth the flexibility the additional boat would give me.

Thoughts?

 

[Captain Ralph]

It's not a dink. Your going to pay full price (cash) for it in the islands.
You will be watched thru a micro scope to ensure no charter services are in the offering. Even for family.

We drug our 17 down to the keys and back. It was a PIA all the way down and back.
When on a anchorage ball, that management will charge for total LOA, not just for your big boat but both. On the hip does not count.
When on a marina dock, that management will charge for total LOA, not just for your big boat but both. On the hip does not count.
PIA at the fuel docks.
PIA in bad inlets.
PIA when discussing this with your insurance company.
I'm going to get bashed on this; Throw your ships fuel consumption tables out the window.

The only real advantage I got from our 17 Mako; Fuel pump on the lil gen-set died.
Brother Pascal received it for me and I ran back to Diner Key to pick it up.
Other than that one hop, A tender on deck would have done all else we used the 17 for.

Just the two of you?? You really want to stretch a relationship that far??
It was just the two of us. We anchored out, Palm Beach fuel barge, and lots of cheap hootch for me. She had her kats. But it was close to,,,,, sometimes.

Brother Buccaneer
Please don't think I'm bashing you but you asked. ☺
Go to the islands and rent a local boat if needed.

 

[Pascal]

I ve towed small boats and it s a pita especially with just 2 people on board. Like Ralph said, every bridge, marina etc will require special care

If necessary, upgrade to a more comfortable RIB and winch that up instead. I used to run a 70 footer with a 13’ RIB, launching and retrieving an easy solo deal once rigged properly.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have towed, but only with extra help. It pretty much takes an extra hand to keep it away from the big boat during slow or close quarter operations. With my son along, I would just sent him off in it and meet up when we were out away from things and ready to turn on the autopilot.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Oh Bridges;; We avoid the ditch anyway possible. But back in my early days, dragging something around bridges was also,,, a PIA..

 

[JD5652]

I have a 21 Mako and have the same visions of grandeur... after I thoroughly researched it, I did not do it.
I now have a 13' RIB with a 40 HP motor that can hold 6 adults easily and even get up on plane int he right conditions.
Think you have some solid advice in this thread...

 

[Sadey]

Same as above. Towed our 14’ RIB for a season and it was a pita. We had to do two bridges off the dock to get to the bay and it got real old real fast. Thank God I spent the money on the Marquipt. Even in a blow it was far easier putting the dink on the deck instead of behind the boat.

 

[Buccaneer]

Well, that settles that.

I’m reminded that the most expensive boat is a free one.

Thank you all…

 

[Hatty53]

Take the cheap boat and sell it to help pay for Marquipt.

 

[Passages]

It's not a dink. Your going to pay full price (cash) for it in the islands.

Just a point of clarification, Bahamas does not charge extra for a tender under 25'.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Just a point of clarification, Bahamas does not charge extra for a tender under 25'.

When it is on deck or towed?
Interesting.

 

[Pascal]

Tenders under 25 are included whether towed or on board.

Cruising Permits | Bahamas Marinas

Rates and information on Bahamas Cruising Permits. Visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry.

www.bahamasmarinas.com

 

[piripucha]

Assuming you have the proper towing equipment it would be no problem towing a 22 ft center console. But with only two people you are going to be very short handed. It can be done but you will have to take several measures before anchoring maneuvering, like tying the tender alongside so you do not tangle the props. Good luck

 

[Dan Mapes]

We towed a 13 AB rib with a 40 Etec. We did ok going across Florida via Okeechobee, over to the Abacos and down to Emerald Bay with a number of stops at places like Compass, Staniel, Hawksbill, Shroud etc.. The AB was plenty for all of that and I will admit I was at my limit being on the aft deck of the 85 43' MY.
So ask yourself some questions.

1- Can the S.O. manage the helm while you manage the tow?
2- Can the S.O. manage the helm in traffic while you manage the tow?
3- => How is your back? <=
4- Will you have a winch installed to reel in the tow?
5- How will you keep the tow from hammering the stern? Once they start to glide and catch up things can get knarly.

The chore will be a bit easier given you are in a CPMY but that is quite a bit to manage for one person. Then there is pulling into West Palm on Memorial Day to go North when Peanut Island is jammed with boats, and people like to run up on you, next to you, and around you.

A rib on deck for the long hauls sounds good to me, and for short hops around the Abacos or Exumas it can be towed easily with much less strain.