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
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
Good one, thanks. Did you secure the bridle on the aft cleats only?
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
You were lucky, I've snapped two of those mooring compensators just being tied up in my berth.