boat towing charges. 85 miles

[phatmanmike]

i have a fellow boater here near tampa i met online wants me to tow their 30' sailboat , with no motor, 85 miles from new port richey, south through the intercoastal and around the south end of tampa bay, and up to davis island, in tampa. its about 90 miles, and about 60% of it is through the intercoastl waterway. it will have to go through the gulf for about 20 miles. the rest is in the bay itself.

any ideas what i should charge her/him? normally id help somebody for free, but thats a lot of time and fuel.

i will be pulling with a 1984 20' mako center console and a 1994 200hp mercury. at a pace of 5 miles per hour, it will take, non stop, a mind numbing 18 hours.

my boat holds 60 gallons of fuel. any ideas?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

Whatever you figure your time is worth on an hourly basis plus gas, wear and tear on your boat, insurance (check with your agent before doing this), food, lodging at the other end, and then there is the return trip.

 

[bomar76]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

No doubt, as a ragbagger, he will expect you to do it for free.

 

[Solittle]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

I would plan on 2-3 days for the actual trip plus one day for prepearation and clean-up when you get back. If he is more of a friend than just a fellow boater I would go for $500.00 plus all expenses. I'm not sure I would want to do the trip for just a "fellow boater" when you consider time, wear & tare and the other personal inconveniences of a trip like that.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

He better be a really good friend for $500.00! Sea Tow would charge about $150.00 an hour. Half that is $1350.00 if it takes you 18 hours and I think that's being very generous. Also consider the possibility you won't average 5mph.

 

[calwldlif]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

If you decide to do this
reprop with a low pitch multi blade.
you don't want to lug your engine and
the best bite you can get will increase
your manuvering abilities. Displacement speed
is what your after and a good prop bite
will improve your trip

 

[PierBridge]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

That sounds pretty insane to me..... if he doesn't give you $500 he should be slapped.... no way to trailer this vessel I would assume?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

Mike if that trips not worth 1500 dollars plus expensis to the guy, let him have it hauled some other way.

Your gonna have your hands full with a 30 foot sail boat using a 20 foot boat. If you do decide to tow the boat definitely prop your boat with 2 to 4 inches less pitch, you will want the power and it will save the lugging on your engine. Also check bridge clearences. May have to drop the mast so you don't have to stand off at any low bridges.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

Sea Tow would charge about $150.00 an hour.

True, and I bet he'd be licensed and insured. Being legal usually comes with a price .... :^

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

i agree with reproping, is there going to be anyone on the towed vessel, to handle the helm, to help with steering in tight places, such as bridges, and cross winds. you are taking a big responsibility, get insurance or a total release of liability.

 

[tommays]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

30 ft sailboat with about 4000# of keel at least

I think its going to be out of control on the open water part at best

Tommays

 

[roscoe]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

What? Doesn't he know how to sail it?

Pass on this "deal".

 

[Silver/Fish]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

I agree...Why not hire some one to sail this thing?

Doesn't this boat at least have a "kicker" on it for docking?:%

Towing a rig this size sure adds to the "risk" factor...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

I agree w/ Roscoe - PASS.

 

[Solittle]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

Sorry I don't see this as a safety issue for a 20'er to tow a 30'er if set up with a good towing bridle. I would have of course someone onboard the 30'er.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

never mind, he said he aint got any more than 200, so i said gooood luuuuck!

good, thorough, responses though !

 

[Mark42]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

Some people ---

This "fellow boater" sounds like he is more of a "user". Trying to get something for next to nothing, or has no clue as to what is involved with his request. Either way, I would stay away from this character in the future.

 

[xtraham]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

Some people ---

This "fellow boater" sounds like he is more of a "user". Trying to get something for next to nothing, or has no clue as to what is involved with his request. Either way, I would stay away from this character in the future.

I have been watching this thread waiting that reply...
I do a lot of towing in the off season and that is typical of a blowboat owner.............

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

200 bucks!!! That guy is insane!!:0

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: boat towing charges. 85 miles

Weighing up all the pros and cons I would without a doubt decline with thanks.