On Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:18:09 -0400, Marc Auslander
wrote:

I suspect you're not going to sea, but doing coastal cruising. I've
towed my hard dink through pretty wild coastal weather - and
never got into trouble. A long painter prevents it from riding up
your stern.

Long painters are a mistake if you have a motor. In that case the
painter should stop short of the propeller. You can use a long tow
line with it.

Casady