Tying boats together?

[snax01]

We are having a family reunion in a couple weeks and on one of the days we will have 2 25' pontoon boats out on the Whitefish Chain. It has been suggested that we tether the two boats together while slowly tooling around the lakes. Is this legal? Sounds a little bit on the sketchy side, but I can't find anything in the MN boating regulations guide that addresses it. Is this a common thing to do? Obviously we wouldn't be able to do it in the channels and what not, but while cruising through the open lakes? I will be driving one of the boats so I want to avoid any problems with DNR/Sheriff. Any info/opinions would be appreciated.

[BobT]

How would you synchronize the two outboards? Seems this could create some issues?

Bob

[Fishin4Life]

Quote:

---

How would you synchronize the two outboards? Seems this could create some issues?

Bob

---

Very true, YOu will see them out there, they will be the two pontoons trolling in cirlces. LOL

[snax01]

Yeah...My uncle suggested it...and I'm having a hard time imagining it working very well and I'm not sure if it would be potentially unsafe as I've never seen anyone do it before. But before completely deciding on the idea, I figured i'd do some research on it to make sure it's even legal. Going slow, there is no reason driving a few feet apart would be any problem...allowing us to converse between boats fine yet maintain a safe enough distance apart.

[Ufatz]

Shut one engine down. The lash up you are talking about is a standard and approved way to assist a disabled vessel. Your speed must remain slow and there will be some compensation in handlling. Make sure your lines are tight and that you put plenty of fenders (bumpers) between the vessels.

Perhaps the group could consider a 24X36 foot custom made pontoon for next year? Or a barge with a towboat? Have fun.

[cold one sd]

If you lash them together and only use one engine you will have a heck of a time steering such a monster. I don't know what the laws in Minnesota say about such things. I used to do some towing with the other vessel tied to the side of mine, but only when I got them to port and was manuvering to dock them. It could be tough at times with two screws. Good luck in your venture.

[fishnhooks]

I am also not for sure about the laws on this, but I see it done frequently on the lake by my house with pontoons. Like what someone else mentioned, they use only one motor and very slowly tool around the lake.

"hooks"

[Wavey Davey]

OK Steve, which one of your crazy uncles suggested this?

I know it wasn't me, although if one boat runs out of beer

we may have to lash them together...

[Muskieguy]

We have done it many times while bobber fishing on the big pond. We tie a couple boats together so we can tell stories and share a couple soda pops while watching our floats. When the spot gets cold we fire up either the big engines or the electric and move to a different spot(slowly). It is not a big deal. The key is multiple bumpers and tie ropes. While you are moving there will be a lot of shifting and rubbing even while going slow. The WFC is huge and touring the lakes connected looking at homes(mansions) on the bigger lakes should pose no problems. Stay away from the channels while connected.

My $.02

[Buckslayer]

We do this all the time on the chain. Open up opposite doors on opposite pontoons so people can walk between both. (Left door on the right pontoon, and vise versa) Works great! Obviously you wont be water skiing behind it, but if you shut one motor down, it not hard to controll at all.

[snax01]

Dave! I'm not sure who suggested it...Tom maybe. I hope running out of beer won't be an issue From the sounds of it, it might be more of an option than I first anticipated! I'm all for it if we can do it safely. I've never seen it done so I was a bit of a skeptic. Didn't realize you were on here!

[BillP]

It will work just fine although you may want to take along a couple of old tires as they don't bounce around like the little bumpers they use for mooring. It all depends on the wind. If it kicks up you may find it's not worth the trouble. In that case head for some calm water, tie them back togeather and crack open another beer.

[nytelyter]

be sure to designate a sober driver please

[snax01]

Yup! Sober drivers for both boats! Safety being the #1 priority.

[Wavey Davey]

Snax01, I figured out it was you by your post subject and your user location. Hope the weather turns out for us, should be a good time. See you then.

[snax01]

Yeah...i'm confident the weather will cooperate Looking forward to it! See ya then!

[ghotierman]

Listen to the Craig Morgan song: "Redneck Yacht Club"

common lake practice...

good luck.