Been there, but don't ever want to do it again

Backing towing a tender. Leaving a marina enroute home I decided to tow the tender instead of putting it on deck. This marina has a lot of cross current and a piling about 10 astern that must be backed around. I was worried that the tender would get caught between the boat and the piling so I prepositioned it around the piling by letting out the painter. You guessed it, as I backed out the painter sank and wrapped the prop. Lesson Learned. Keep a short leash on the tender when backing. Also it helps to put a float or two on the painter to keep it on the surface. Some suggest Polypropolyne line that floats, I don't like it because it last about a year then the UV rays degrade it. It becomes brittle and hard on the hands. Another idea is move the dingy to the bow until clear of the slip(s) then walk it back to the stern. Pick a way that will work for you....I don't ever want to be freeing my prop in nasty marina water again!