Towing Ski Nautique behind Houseboat - Any suggestions

[adaptivelimb]

Side Towing was OK until the first wake crossing. The Houseboat does not move much, the Ski Boat does. It's bad K!

[desertskier]

I have towed Nautiques behind a houseboat on Lake Powell for about 10 years. We typically towed 2 or 3 boats. Staggered starting at about 50 feet. Used the cleats on the rear of the houseboat closest to either side so the towed boats are not in the prop wash unless we had three then one is in the middle. We use the houseboat anchor lines with the anchor shackles and tighten them with a crescent wrench. We never had a problem even in rough water. Just have people on the back tending the lines when you stop the houseboat.

[jharris]

I had no issues at all towing my ski nautique and jet ski behind the house boat last summer. I tied the jet ski off on back corner at about a 30 foot line and the ski boat off the other back corner on a 60 foot line. I made sure the rudder was straight on the ski boat. One thing I did figure out was to tie the ski boat off on the side of the houseboat with the captains helm so I could see it in the mirror. I would care a whole lot more about losing the ski Nautique than the jet ski.

I also finally found a good use for those obnoxious 4 person tubes that my wife buys for the kids each year. That super heavy rope that comes with the tubes was an ideal tow rope for the boats and jets ski.

[EchoLodge]

I have towed Nautiques behind a houseboat on Lake Powell for about 10 years. We typically towed 2 or 3 boats. Staggered starting at about 50 feet. Used the cleats on the rear of the houseboat closest to either side so the towed boats are not in the prop wash unless we had three then one is in the middle. We use the houseboat anchor lines with the anchor shackles and tighten them with a crescent wrench. We never had a problem even in rough water. Just have people on the back tending the lines when you stop the houseboat.

Yup.... http://youtu.be/2SMiMDYwVAY

[Crab]

I'm surprised nobody pulls with an anchor buddy. I use the 14' buddy that stretches to 50'. It greatly reduces the strain on the bow eye on your nautique and tows so much better then a straight rope. I've towed several boats this way off a house boat in Shasta. The buddy comes in very handy when anchoring (which is what it was designed for). I use it to anchor my nautique about 30' away from the houseboat in 10-20' of water. Tie a solid 20-30' rope to the bow of the nautique and the other end to the corner of the houseboat opposite the slide. This allows you to pull your nautique all the way in to the houseboat to load/unload, then let the bungee pull the nautique back out to open water. I tie a bouy to the anchor buddy so it's always in the right spot.
I would NEVER try to park or leave the beach with any boat attached to the houseboat. Only in open water tow or anchored!

[desertskier]

I know several people that have lost anchors because the anchor buddy snapped when they were trying to pull in the anchor. They are basically a rubber band that deteriorates over time. I have one on my anchor but I have a rope on it as well. The rope is set up so the anchor buddy is never pulled to its full length and if it breaks I can always pull the anchor up with the rope. I am surprised that you were able to tow with it.

[desertskier]

After I wrote that post I remembered that the anchor buddy eventually snapped anyway and now I use bungy cord. You can buy it by the foot and it lasts longer.

[EchoLodge]

I have found two box anchors over the years during early morning ski runs with broken anchor buddy lines attached to them.

[Crab]

I'm sure there are several styles of "anchor buddy's". I have owned the one I have for over 8 years and mainly in salt water. It is a bungee cord but shielded with a woven nylon on the outside that comes tight before the bungee reaches full stretch. Pulled my 21' North River for two seasons with no issues. Works for me......

[desertskier]

I'm sure there are several styles of "anchor buddy's". I have owned the one I have for over 8 years and mainly in salt water. It is a bungee cord but shielded with a woven nylon on the outside that comes tight before the bungee reaches full stretch. Pulled my 21' North River for two seasons with no issues. Works for me......

I have only seen one style and it is the one you describe. Best case when it snaps you can just go back and get your boat. Worst case you cause an accident. Why risk it? Even the Anchor Buddy website says to use a rope in parallel with it. They know it's just a rubber band and nylon webbing and will break under heavy load.

[2001SAN]

I towed using two car towing straps clipped together. Towed the boat for a week behind a 40ft cruiser. Just took it easy when pulling away and slowing. Plenty of eyes and ears to help at crucial times. We towed from the bow eye of the boat to a towing ring on the back of the cruiser with no issues. Being careful was the key.

D.