We purchased our Dinghy-Tow at the 1995 Miami International Boat Show for our Caliber 33 because the captain was tired of wrestling matches with the outboard engine. Our dinghy is an Avon R310 (non RIB) with an Evinrude 9.9 (two cycle).
Installation was simple thanks to the straight forward instructions. Local cruising experiences, with the outboard mounted on the dinghy transom, were very pleasant.
In May, we were participants in the Havana Cup Regatta to Cuba. For this 250 mile trip, via Marco Island, FL and the Dry Tortugus to Cuba, the outboard was relegated to the stern rail.
The last 93 miles of the trip to Ernest Hemmingway Marina near Havana was the roughest 24 hours we have experienced to date. Winds rose to 25-35 knots and seas were 10'-12' for more than half the trip. We arrived safely with our dinghy, while another couple lost their dinghy using the standard towing method.
Upon inspection prior to our return from Cuba the Dinghy-Tow was declared a success. We will replace the nut and lock washers for the mother ship transom mount with locking nuts. The captain gets cranky when spending too much time in cramped quarters tightening nuts.
We are leaving for a long term cruise the end of the year and look forward to the reduced risk of theft of the dinghy. A coated cable and lock secure the dinghy to the stern rail easily.
We are happy to be Dinghy-Tow owners.
Happy sailing,
Pat Hanifix & Pat Welch
