In a message dated 5/20/02 5:53:44 AM, IDCLLC@aol.com writes: << Scott, I read your dinghy report with interest. I'm a Potter 15 sailor, so I have even less room than you! Furthermore, I often sail with my family of four-that's two adults, a 12 year old and a 9 year old. to promote domestic harmony in such a tiny space, we recently sold our hard dinghy in favor of a windglider (which we haven't tried out yet-it's blackberry winter here in Tennessee). Among other things, this PVC water toy can be a towable. The idea is to give a budding sailor a space of their own. Bear in mind that it would only be used on inland lakes under benign conditions.>> Sounds like fun. I know I would have liked one when I was a kid!! Can't see how you could get into too much trouble in the benign conditions you describe. <<I have three questions: First, what sort of bridle do you use when towing?>> First off, my dinghy (older version) is set up with only one bow/painter eye (the newer Zodiac versions have two--one on either side of the hull down low). I am eventually going to modify mine by adding two, as it allows the dinghy to track better and the bow to plow less. I experimented with different setups, and finally settled on a triangular bridle off the stern of the M15 (attached to the two aft-quarter mooring cleats) with an eye at the apex (about six feet aft of the rudder). Through this, I run the single tow line that can be varied in length (the idea being to keep the boat one full wave length behind the tow boat). Perhaps the greatest discovery was the type of line. Prior to one of my Canada trips, I decided to try the 'Regatta Lite' Polypropylene Braid as my shore tie line (you want something that floats for this purpose). It worked so well that I quickly changed out my towing bridle to this as well. This is not the god-awful slippery yellow 'three strand' type polypropylene that you can never keep a knot in. 'Regatta Lite' actually has the appearance and hand (feel) of regular yacht braid (like Sta-Set or Yale/Portland Yacht braid), but has the advantage of being light in weight, has good stretch, and it floats!! I highly recommend it (see West Marine 2002 Master Catalog, page 962, or search for 'Regatta Lite' on their web site). It isn't cheap, but then little that works is! <<What problems, such as fouled lines, need to be avoided in your experience?>> Once I figured out how to make the bridle, my only concern was keeping the line free of the outboard. With the floating line, I have never had a problem with fouling lines or the prop (though I am still careful backing, etc.). There is a neat trick that keeps the dinghy from overtaking you in rough sees (more appropriate to hard dinghies--inflatables don't tend to do this as much, and there is little consequence if they do). If you install a good sized funnel on the tow line about 1/2 to 1 boat length (depends on the boat type) ahead of the boat being towed (funnel point forward), the funnel will reverse direction as the boat tries to pass it, and it becomes a mini-drogue. It really works! <<Finally, how does towing affect sailing performance?>> We seemed to lose about 1/4-3/4 of a knot when motoring depending on conditions (we have a Honda 2hp--my friend who had a 3.3hp motor and towed a similar Achilles dinghy seemed to be able to maintain hull speed by adding more throttle). Sailing performance seemed to suffer less, especially off the wind. If/when we are really concerned about getting somewhere fast, or if conditions really deteriorate, we can always deflate and stow below. <<Thanks :) Steve Tyree, P-15 #2098 Amy Ann >> Good luck, Scott Grometer M15 #478 'bebe'