And I'll state the obvious....the longer the rope the slower you will go with chains or sox. I use two ropes..25 feet with 5-6 feet of 1/2 inch log chains and another (3rd) in the boat, just incase.

For a minumal fee I've use WB out the back of the boat with a 20 foot rope and he digs his heels in. Wears out after an hour or so, but by then we usually have a limit. lol