MODELS
There are two models of Dinghy-Tow. The traditional model has straight poles that mount 24" - 30" apart on the stern of the sailboat and is suitable for most applications. The second model of Dinghy-Tow has curved poles which mount 42" - 48" apart on the stern of the main vessel. This model is designed to mount on a wide swim platform such as the Hunter 376 allowing a wider access area on the swim platform when the poles are stored. The curved poles are also useful on sailboats with an offset swim ladder as it allows the lowering of the ladder when the poles are in the storage position.

VERTICAL TRANSOMS AND TRANSOMS THAT EXTEND AFT OF THE DECK LINE
There must be at least 28" between the transom brackets and the closest point to the stern of the main vessel to allow for the outboard motor to tip up when the dinghy is in the water.

TRADITIONAL TRANSOM BOATS
Traditional transoms with the deck line 4" to 5" aft of the lower edge of the stern at water line present no problem, but if the deck line is more than approximately 5" aft of the waterline, the poles may contact the upper portion of the transom before fully elevated. This may not allow the poles to be elevated high enough to function properly.

TRIMARANS
Since the stern on the main hull of a trimaran is similar to that of a monohull, the Sailboat model of Dinghy-Tow with the double lifting lines is recommended.

CANOE STERNS
A special bracket must be used to mount the DINGHY-TOW stern brackets. A teak pad may be fashioned to conform to the curve of the hull to provide a mounting pad for the stern bracket. Click here for more information on Canoe Sterns.

FIXED SWIM PLATFORMS AND WALK-THROUGH TRANSOMS
See Drawings.

BOATS WITH FREESTANDING MASTS
With no backstay, there is no place to mount the lifting line that would allow the dinghy to be pivoted into storage position. A light dinghy can be pivoted into a low storage position against the stern rail from deck level without using a block on the backstay. There is also the possibility that the main halyard can be used for this purpose.
The length of the boom may present a problem when the dinghy is in the storage position, but towing ability is not affected.

OUTBOARD MOTOR BRACKETS
These brackets must not interfere with the vertical movement of the pole from the water level to the rail and must be 4" or more from the outside edge of the pole.

LIFE RINGS, ANTENNAE ETC.
These items may need to be moved so as not to interfere with the dinghy in the storage position.

WIND STEERING VANES
May not allow for the installation of DINGHY-TOW.

OUTBOARD RUDDERS
An outboard rudder may prevent the installation of DINGHY-TOW. The outboard rudder could come in contact with the poles as some room must be allowed for lateral movement. The poles are 46" long and can be placed up to 30" apart on the stern. Also, when moving from dinghy to sailboat, a ladder on the stern of the sailboat must be provided.

WIDE PIVOTING SWIM PLATFORMS
Platforms that pivot from the rail down to the water may prevent the installation of DINGHY-TOW if they are more than 24" wide.

MIZZEN BOOMS
They may present a problem when the dinghy is in storage position but could be moved to one side to allow the bow of the dinghy to rest on the rail or backstay.

CENTERED STERN LADDER OR STEP
These items must be located between the stern brackets so that a person can move from the pole step to the ladder to the cockpit.

OFFSET STERN LADDERS
An offset stern ladder may interfere with the mounting of the stern brackets and the vertical movement of the poles from water level to the stern rail. We have a "Curved Pole" model of Dinghy-Tow that in many cases compensates for the offset stern ladder and can be used on boats with offset stern ladders.

HARD DINGHIES WITHOUT INFLATABLE TUBES
Hard dinghies (not to be confused with rigid bottom inflatable dinghies) cannot be towed by DINGHY-TOW unless there is enough flotation at the bow to support it if the bow section is filled with water. A closed cell flotation collar around the gunnel with additional flotation at the bow should be adequate.

INFLATABLE DINGHIES
Inflatable dinghies must have a solid transom.

STERN RAILS
Due to the varying strengths of stern rails, some DINGHY-TOW installations may require additional stern rail support.

A simple solution to reinforce the stern rail is to fasten a cable (i.e. lifeline 1/4" cable) to the upper lifeline attachment point on the stern rail, and run it forward several feet to a point on the toe rail with a turnbuckle to provide adjustment.


NOTE: DINGHY-TOW's maximum working load is 350 lbs.