How many boats have YOU towed in???

[Chef Shawn]

I hope it's not like this everywhere, but Indiana boaters are just too busy (or buttheaded) to help out. I have had my boat for about two years and to date, have towed in 5 boats for various reasons, and I was happy to help a brother boater out. But when I break down two days ago, there was easily 12 boats around. The kids and I pull the distress flag, 6 boats gone. We honk the horn until the battery is gone, 5 more boats gone.

Now of course I understand that I am to blame for the boat failure, the engine wasn't working properly and I ran the battery dead trying to start it in haste because the wife and kids were freaking out, but good grief. With a orange flag and horn wailing, they ran away like cockroaches when the kitchen light was turned on.

Is this normal?

 

[Chris_94_Sprint_TX]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I have not towed anybody yet but I have been towed in once (maiden voyage due to bad gas clogging the fuel filter at carb) in the few weeks I have owned my boat. But like you I would be happy to help a fellow boater and had I been there I would've towed you in. Plus I believe favors make the world go 'round and doing good brings good back your way.

Chris

 

[Rd05lly]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I have pulled a few boats with my old Chris Craft. I always stop and help I have noticed in the last few year fewer people wave anymore also.

 

[rallyart]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

3 that I did not know. Got another boat to start when they broke their key. (They wanted me to tow them 10 miles) Gave one guy a boost. That's in 40 years.
Now, relatives on windsurfers are another matter.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

If you mean this year that would be 0 but in years past a dozen or more and my boat once. No its not and it is against maritime law. You must render aid. Now that aid dosnt mean you have to tow them, it means you have to stop and see whats wrong, make a cell call to a tow service or law enforcement, help with some one who is sick and so on, As long as it dosnt put you and your passenger in danger or harms way.

Just owning a boat dosnt make you a boater and it seams to be getting worse. On my little lake we have a lot of canoes and Kayakers. This time of year a lot of people are out in those who are out of shape and un-perpaired. I stop and ask a lot if they need a ride, offer a bottle of water and so on, even a few minues in the bimni shade can be a big help.

 

[Chris_94_Sprint_TX]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I have pulled a few boats with my old Chris Craft. I always stop and help I have noticed in the last few year fewer people wave anymore also.

I've noticed that as well, but there are a few small towns here in Texas where people will wave at complete strangers. Me being one to wave.

Chris

 

[5150abf]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

That is sad but I can't say it surprises me, I will normally tow 2-3 a year, most are very appreciative, some are pissed cause it took so long, towed one turd 4-5 miles up river, as soon as he got his feet on his dock I became invisible, no thank you or let me catch some money for gas.

Of coarse most aren't that way and I will always stop and do what I can because I have been the guy needing help and not gotten it so I know how much that stinks.

Couple years ago the boat wouldn't start, I night fish so by the time I found this out it was 12:30-1:00 am so we start trolling the 5-6 miles back to the launch which is right next to a hospital.

Finally we see a boat coming, when they get in range I yell "Hey can you help us, I need to get to the hospital" The guy yells back "You need to get to the hospital?" and I go "Ya''.

Him and his buddy look at each other for a second then floor it in the other direction!!!

We made it back eventually and I am sure karma will catch up with him eventually but I was really surprised at that one.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

Over the last 10 years 4-5 total. And when we had our old boat, we were on the receiving end twice.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I've towed in four, everyone was pretty appreciative (they were all a little longer than I anticipated, each took at least hour). Luckily I wasn't in a hurry each time, which is weird because I feel like I'm usually rushed. I figure I'm just payin it forward to when I need help.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I have towed 1 this year. I would have stopped to help. where I boat 90 percent wave, the ones who don't tend to look preoccupied, not rude just busy. I at first waved back to the guy I towed he then made a 2 armed wave then then motioned towards him, towed him 7 or 8 miles, it took an hour and was hot at the slow speed, he did give me $25 which paid for my gas

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

countless. it's part of boating around here, even though now there are towing services.

this discussion comes up a lot and you can expect many opinions. All need to be tempered with a degree of reaonableness--in addition to safety concerns arising from weather conditions, there are time and distance, other options (go get gas and come back) and level of distress.

some buttheads as you call them, even here, say "I never tow because you shouldn't break down." they are the ones the rest of us imperfect humans hope will break down. There are those who incorrectly think they will be sued every time they tow someone. Some incorrectly think it's too dangerous and the tow line will kill everyone within 500 yards. and then the debate full of misinformation about whether or when it is legally required. I tend to focus instead on what is morally correct.

PS: carry jumper cables, more for those who don't. It's also amazing how few people have paddles.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

PS: carry jumper cables, more for those who don't. It's also amazing how few people have paddles.

Or better yet a jumper box - works good for self rescue as well.

 

[JB]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I can't imagine failing to offer help. . .it is the law of the sea to aid those in distress. I guess that is one way to separate boaters from Mariners.

I cannot tell you how many I have towed home over the years, but I specifically remember two.

On Lake Of The Woods I towed a twenty something cruiser with my 13' Whaler. That was an adventure.

Off Ft. Lauderdale I towed a 21' swamped deck boat full of centerfold models with my '66 Whaler Sakonnet. Took a long time.

Boaters I have helped have without exception offered me money or other compensation for time and fuel.

 

[louiefl]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

My advice for anyone needing assistance when out with your family is to have your wife signal for distress and for you to act busy with your head down.

 

[agallant80]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I have towed in about 3 boats in the last two years and have helped many people at the ramp or at anchor to get them going. Last weekend on the bay by Thomas Point there was a Boston Wailer that broke down. He asked me for seatows number and hinted at me pulling him in but he was not in any danger and I really don't want to tow in a 26 foot boat with my 25 foot boat in decent chop.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

Towed one. Only been flagged down once and towed him.

 

[Mel Taylor]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

[QUOTE ....... the engine wasn't working properly and I ran the battery dead trying to start it in haste because the wife and kids were freaking out, but good grief. With a orange flag and horn wailing, they ran away like cockroaches when the kitchen light was turned on. Is this normal?[/QUOTE]

Perhaps the wife and kids freaking out had something to do with people running away.

A few years ago my wife and I stopped to help a couple whose engine had died and left them dead in the water. He was frantically trying to get the motor started, while she was giving him he11 along with all kinds of useless demands and suggestions. Then, after we offered to pull them in to the nearest marina which was only two or three miles away, the two of them started arguing about where they wanted to go and even how to tie the tow rope on. She seemed to think that we were somehow obligated to take them to whichever dock they wanted to go to regardless of the inconvenience to us.

I ended up having to tell them they could either accept my offer of a tow to the nearest marina or stay where they were and wait for someone else to come along and offer them a tow. He accepted my offer and all the way to the dock we could hear her carping at him over his inability to get the boat started after it died and about the fact that they were going to have to call someone to take them to where their truck and trailer were parked which was several miles away. At the dock he thanked us and offered to pay for gas (I declined) while she stalked off without a word to us.

Had I realized that we were getting into the middle of their on-going personal soap opera I never would have stopped and offered help. The next time I ran into someone who needed help, I stayed back and watched until I was sure the people in the disabled boat weren't battling before I offered help. In that case everyone in the boat was calm, my help wasn't needed, and I hung nearby until the operator got his rig going again.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I towed in two boats last summer (2012). One boat had lower unit problems and the other boat quit running. I did not know either of the people and found them adrift. This year I have not towed anyone.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

LOL for the most part nobody knows what your orange flag is for and the horn honking likely just annoyed em and chased em away.... next time try the two arm "hey look at me" wave... might work better... also a vhf will get you help in many places

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: How many boats have YOU towed in???

I had a towing endorsement on my 50 ton license. I have towed a few over the past 40+ years. Have had a couple unpleasant experiences. Now-- I stop to make sure there is no emergency, like the vessel is going down quickly. Barring that-- I offer to call TowBoat US or Sea Tow for them. A medical emergency such as a heart attack-- the USCG is best to call. I'll stay near by until help arrives but unless they are very close to a ramp that is not busy I'm not towing. Ever have a boat tied to your port gunnel at a ramp with 15 tourists trying to get on/off the water? How long do you think it took for one to allow me to position him to the dock?