How to Tow a Tender Behind a Sailboat

A tender is a small boat used to service larger boats. Tenders are often rubber and sometimes inflatable. They are powered by a single, outboard motor. Many people with yachts or large sailboats tow a tender boat along behind so they will have a smaller boat to jet around in or to go ashore. Careful preparation has to be taken to make sure that the relatively light tenders do not flip en route or take on too much water.

Things You'll Need

  • 3/4-inch nylon three-strand rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the motor. Take the outboard motor out of the tender boat and store it aboard your sail boat.

    • 2

      Fix the rope to the tender. Pass one end of the rope through the eye in the portside cleat and then through the eye of the bowside cleat.

    • 3

      Pull the rope through. Pull the end of the line through about 50 feet to even it out. This will form a triangle with the rope.

    • 4

      Secure the line to the sailboat. Pull the rope so it lifts the bow of the tender out of the water. Secure it to a cleat at the aft (back) of the sailboat by wrapping it around and tying it securely.