A minimum of __ turns of towline should always be kept on the reel.

• A. 3
• B. 4
• C. 5
• D. 6

Answer: (B)

Having enough wraps of the towline on the reel is essential to keep the line secure and controllable during towing. With a minimum of four turns, there’s enough rope on the drum to absorb a sudden load without the line’s end slipping off or the line snapping under tension. These wraps help maintain proper tension as you reel in or pay out, reducing the risk of tangling or kinking and protecting the line from damage caused by rubbing on the reel. Fewer than four wraps don’t provide enough material on the reel to manage the tension safely, while more than four is acceptable but not required for the minimum standard. So the minimum is four turns.