The US Coast Guard Auxiliary trains its members to use their own line for
several reasons:
- It's part of a complete towing package including the critical towing
bridle
- You know it's strong enough and long enough
- You always want to keep control so you can:
- lengthen or shorten the tow line when needed to ride well
- cast loose if necessary in an emergency
- The towed boat (possibly untrained) has only a loop to deal with, no
knots.

Everett

"Paul Schilter" wrote in message
...
Is it more prudent for you to give your line over to a boat you're going
to tow or take his line?
Paul

Paul Schilter wrote:
Is it more prudent for you to give your line over to a boat you're going
to tow or take his line?
Paul

I'd suggest you as the towor, give your line to the towed vessel, that
way you know what it is, strength & hopefully stretch (nylon) & can pre
set it up (bridle or forward fastening) as "you" wish in your own time.

Unless the load can be brought well forward of the rubber post or
OB/sterndrive(s) you'll have trouble with steerage, particularly in the
sort of conditions that others might absolutely "require" a tow.

Don't want 2 boats in trouble just because one tried to assist the other.

K

I would let them throw me the line. Their are some implications as to
who is responsible should any damage occur as a result of the tow. As
far as someone claiming salvage, if the boat was not in danger of
sinking and creating a dangerous situation, I wouldn't worry about it,
give the claim to your insurance company. They'll throw it out for you.

I grew up in a Coast Guard Auxiliary boating family which performed
many patrols in the SF Bay Area during the fifties and sixties. My dad,
the skipper, (a veteran Coastie too...) always insisted that the boat to be
assisted pass their line to us. He explained that the onus for liability,
should any damage occur, would be with the vessel asking for assistance.
Dave Fase

"Capt John" wrote in message
oups.com...
I would let them throw me the line. Their are some implications as to
who is responsible should any damage occur as a result of the tow. As
far as someone claiming salvage, if the boat was not in danger of
sinking and creating a dangerous situation, I wouldn't worry about it,
give the claim to your insurance company. They'll throw it out for you.