I think having a tow rope with some stretch is important when for example,
you have a following wind and the dinghy starts sailing from side to side,
not keeping pace with the boat. The boat can actually lag the dinghy at
certain instances, so when it finally exceeds the dinghy speed, there will
be a big tug on that tow line. I think this pull should be dampened with
a stretchable line to reduce loads on whatever the line is tied to on the
boat, and not cause any affects on boat handling. The solution to lines
getting tangled in the prop is to bring up the dingy close to the boat
when anchoring, reversing, etc.

Sherwin D.

DSK wrote:

Rodney Myrvaagnes wrote:
The West catalog has both laid and braided polypro on page 725. No red
thread. I am sure you could find it on their web site if you don't
have a catalog.

I would use this for a dinghy tow line because it floats, making it
less likely to get into your prop in reverse.

"Less likely" is the key phrase. Floating line can still get wrapped in
the prop, ask me how I know.

So far, I don't know of a single way to totally fool-proof any aspect of
sailing or cruising. The best you can hope for is a slight degree of
"fool-resistant."

Fresh Breezes- Doug King