towing bridle

[Odysseus]

Yesterday on our way south in the Biscay we helped a boat out with a tow for 30 miles towards Les Sables D'Olonne they had an engine failure, with a fuel issue.
However this post was to show our method of towing using a large snubber in the bridle, which worked very well controlling the "snatch" that does occur in a swell.

The vessel being towed said afterwards there was not any unwanted snatches

We also looped the rope on Odysseus to both cleats on the stern, all worked very well.

Odysseus

[Skipperwales]

Looks a really sound setup.

The only suggestions I'd add would be maybe a heavy duty shackle where the towing warp is attached to the bridle to reduce friction when there's yawing and, ideally, a longer warp, especially if there was more of a sea running.

Bill

[Pan054]

Good one, thanks.  Did you secure the bridle on the aft cleats only?

[Odysseus]

Yes this time but I have another method in very bad weather, from winch to cleat with a much longer tow rope and another snubber.
Odysseus

[Nigel]

You were lucky, I've snapped two of those mooring compensators just being tied up in my berth.