www.iFourWinns.com

Im curious if you have tried towing you r new runabout yet. If so how did it work out?

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Late reply. From my experience towing the Seadoo, not a big deal. You do need to factor in winds though because you can only pull and only from one point so approach accordingly

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2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260

Funny you ask just now... I did it just yesterday. I used a Airhead heavy duty tow harness that looks like this http://www.airhead.com/airhead/ahth8hd.php and attached it to the aft cleats and then I ran a 60' long 'light duty' 3/8" tow rope that I ran to the bow eye of the runabout. The Evinrude was completely tilted out of the water. The 328 had absolutely no problem with pulling power, popped on plane normally, and basically had no hint anything was in tow.... gotta love those Duoprop drives On top of that, the boat was full to the brim with gas and fresh water so it was a good 'worst case' test.

Once up to 20 mph or so, the runabout started to get unstable in the rear with it 'fish tailing' due to no rudder in the back of the boat. Got real interesting quickly and required us to stop and rethink a few things. Then tilted the outboard down for ~2 seconds, just enough to act as a rudder in the back and the fish tailing stopped immediately. We also tried a 120' rope to see how that worked and although better than 60, the real key is to have a little of the outboard in the water. I'll probably stick with the 60' rope mainly to keep the runabout closer and not have so much line out when manuevering at idle speed. We tested at speeds up to 35 MPH without any issues. At higher speeds, not suprisingly, you could start to sense the extra drag but 99% of the time I'll be towing at 25-30 MPH.

I'm also going to try pulling from one cleat like I have done in the past with the Seadoo. With that arrangement the boat will start in the center and once up to ~20MPH will fall to the curl of the wake and then run obediently there. Overall, it was a great success and I have no complaints!

BTW, the Glastron is a real rocket. On the day I took delivery it was cold and rainy but we managed to get one full throttle run in and hit 60 MPH! with the 150. The plane time is ridiculously short. Very happy with the performance!

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2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260

I'm no expert on outboard engines but be careful about the force of the water spinning the propeller. All that turning motion generates heat, and most engines normally cool themselves using water pumped through an impeller as part of the combustion process. I don't know if that applies here or not, but it'd be something I'd want to be sure about before burning out the transmission on the outboard.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Good to hear it is working out like you thought. I knew you made a good choice for a runabout. I would not worry one bit about using the OB as a rudder with the prop spinning. When you tow the boat on a trailer, the prop spins some all the time anyway, and without any water at all for cooling.
In a few years, we will be doing the same thing, and add a runabout to have fun in, and pull along behind us. The Glastron and a couple of others are on our short list.

Have a great boating season.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Bill, right with ya on the possible damage so posted the question earlier today on the etecownersgroup forum. Bottom line, might cause a very very small amount of wear but not enough to even worry about. Heat should not be a worry because the nose cone is in the water.

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2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260

Next time we're out, I'll take some pictures and post

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2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260

I have to assume you guys towing SeaDoos are clamping off the water line from the exhaust. There is actually an accessory part for this purpose from SeaDoo. I had a 215 SCIC Sportster and the manual strictly warned about towing higher than idle speed as water can be forced back up the exhaust and into the cylinders even with closed loop cooling. Closed loop is only for the block - the exhaust (and intercooler I think) are cooled with fresh water. I have been on a couple of jet power forums where some people have filled their cylinders and killed their engines towing. Just a heads up.

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2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife