Layout boats - Bankes Hercules vs Waterfowl Works UFO

[Tony H]

The "trick" is to get the point of tow under the bow and back far enough to employ the hull countors to deflect water and keep the boat from diving. Setting your tow rope up with a standard two point ski bridle at the boat, and using a tow rope length that puts the bow just behind were the prop wash surfaces in the wake is usually the sweet spot. You can achieve the same thing with a Bankes Hercules by using a Y-bridle and attaching two zig-zag cleats to the hull decking in line with the back of the cockpit, for high speed towing. Using the below deck towing eye in the stern as point of attachment for low to moderate tow speeds is workable as well.

My duck hunting partner uses the same Y bridle set-up to tow his Hoefgens at high speed.

Your theory has some truth to it but there is alot more to it with a light layout boat. You have to hold the craft on the water and keep it tracking properly while keeping the bow high so it don't submarine on ya. Then you have the waving side to side to contend with to keel the sides from sliding into a wave as well. 2 years designing and working on making a towable 1 man layout and we finally achieved satisfaction, We sank many along the way to success and havd many design changes as well.

 

[RLLigman]

Not really a theory, just born from 37 years of practice on the Great Lakes, including six years of near continuous time on the water in research boats from 40' down to 17'. I've towed a lot of "stuff'' around on the water, Tony. Some of it was even right-side-up!