Towing a barge; small but still a barge...

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Externet, Jul 26, 2015.

  1. Externet
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 35
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    Location: Mideast U.S.

    Externet Junior Member

    Hi.
    Has anyone ever seen an 'utility trailer' to be towed by a boat ?

    Like a catamaran barge made with PVC pipe pontoons to carry scuba diving equipment by a not ample enough "normally a fishing boat" that ocassionally goes for diving trips, and to serve as diving platform ?
    (The barge left at a dock or garage until needed)

    How would a safe attachment be/work ? Eyebolts, screw pin shackles, hooks...
     
  2. messabout
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    Location: Lakeland Fl USA

    messabout Senior Member

    You could build a "trailer" that would work well enough at moderate planing speeds but not with PVC pipe. Actually you might as well just use a tube that the water sports people use for towing riders.
     
  3. markstrimaran
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    Location: usa

    markstrimaran Senior Member

    pushing it is easier

    Having a flat flexible bumper and pushing a "trailer" would be the easiest to control.
    The prop wash on the stern causes problems. As the towed vessel will try and swing back and forth.
    Any boat to boat contact will need flexible chaff protection.
    Set your "ropes"or lines up in an X formation. Spring line.
    Towing off the side is doable. Just depends on how much paint you don't mind loosing.
     
  4. Externet
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 35
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    Location: Mideast U.S.

    Externet Junior Member

    Thanks, gentlemen.
    OK. No PVC pontoons. Perhaps a Jon boat with flat platform, or on 'discarded' catamaran hulls then.

    Pushing instead of towing... Interesting.
    No ropes were planned for towing/connecting; but metal rods instead.
     
  5. markstrimaran
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    Location: usa

    markstrimaran Senior Member

    inexpensive durable scuba gear pod.

    Take 2" blue or purple house siding foam $20.00 @ 4×8 sheet
    And make a 8" +/- sandwhich. Between some 1/4 or thicker plywood.
    Two tie down straps will hold it together. If you cut 3 " off the parimiter the plywood and leave the foam 4x8 you will have a "boat bumper.
    A 3/8" thicker plywood deck can be built up to hold everything. Bolt on 2x2 pieces too keep a bottle from rolling. 1" eye bolts can be thoughtfully placed without having to go thru the hole sandwhich. They will push into the foam. A couple of all threaded rods will keep the sandwhich together as well.
     
  6. markstrimaran
    Joined: Dec 2014
    Posts: 291
    Likes: 6, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 28
    Location: usa

    markstrimaran Senior Member

    inexpensive durable scuba gear pod.

    Take 2" blue or purple house siding foam $20.00 @ 4×8 sheet
    And make a 8" +/- sandwhich. Between some 1/4 or thicker plywood.
    Two tie down straps will hold it together. If you cut 3 " off the parimiter the plywood and leave the foam 4x8 you will have a "boat bumper.
    A 3/8" thicker plywood deck can be built up to hold everything. Bolt on 2x2 pieces too keep a bottle from rolling. 1" eye bolts can be thoughtfully placed without having to go thru the hole sandwhich. They will push into the foam. A couple of all threaded rods will keep the sandwhich together as well.

    Added drawing. Thinking here. You could pull at planning speed. As long you can keep the leading edge of the barge pulled up at the transom. Load it heavy in the aft section. Cut a notch for you motor. Then pull it up snug with foam on fishing boat.. some long eye bolts thru the sandwich. With two short connecting ropes.
     

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  7. kapnD
    Joined: Jan 2003
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    Location: hawaii, usa

    kapnD Senior Member

    Jet skis use "trailers" quite extensively to extend their load carrying capacities.
    They use semi-flexible material that looks like thick boogie boards.
    The connection to the boat is flexible, so the trailer hull does not need to stay in line with the hull.
    Perhaps a google search would help.
     
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