I can hip tow much bigger boats using my 10-foot dinghy and 3.3 hp
Mariner. I only have steering control, however if I hip tow and have
my dinghy's motor aft the transom of the boat I'm towing.

This is a hip tow but the tow's bow is way forward of mine.
In a way, it is pushing from behind. I can see why they changed
the rule to require a special flashing light on such a tow because
it is little different from one where the tug is in-line behind the
tow.

CN


"otnmbrd" wrote in message ink.net...
Joe wrote:
Capt,

Most times if not all when a barge is on the Hip the tug is still as
far aft as possiable. That way he can still control the barge. Its a
**** poor way to tow but needed in some situations. Never is the barge
on the hip near the bow of the barge. You would have next to no
control.

Joe


No arguments here. Generally when you see this, the tug has come from
sea and a stern tow. Prior to docking, she'll take the barge on the
"hip" for obvious reasons of handling.
Some of the few times I've seen a tug situated as Neal described was
when the barge was light and/or they had a barge on each hip.
At any rate, when I'm handling a tug/barge combination, I always look to
see how far aft the tug is for a quick judge of maneuverability.

otn