Stranded Boats

[Ithica DB]

Friday evening or close to dark my daughter and I were coming home from Show Ski when we came across three guys in a boat slip waving what look like a shirt not thinking anything about it started to drive by. I am hard of hearing but my daughter said she heard a whisle. I slowed down and went to see what the problem was. The three guys had boat problems and had been waving this flag for two hours and no one would stop. I told them since he was not wearing a shirt it looked like he was putting one on not really waveing it. My word of advise is to use a paddle next time and don't sit in a boat slip looking like you belong there. I gave him a free tow, he said sea tow was going to charge $300 an hour, he only needed to go 1/2 mile.
How about throwing the flags away and break out the paddles.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Stranded Boats

Really 1/2 Mile away. I would push, pull, and Paddle the boat 1/2 Mile. I remember getting stranded once in my dads boat. Us 4 kids pulled the boat by 4 bow ropes while the adults paddled.

Ithica your advise is spot on.

 

[Ithica DB]

Re: Stranded Boats

I am right there with you AZ been there done that but it was a big boat the wind might would have prevented it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Stranded Boats

in distress you do something unusual. waving an orange PFD tied to a boat hook or paddle is a good idea.

whether you set off paddling or stay put depends on boat, current/wind, day light, depth (can you anchor if needed), boat traffic (don't paddle across a shipping lane) and health of the paddler. Also the beer supply.

 

[shrew]

Re: Stranded Boats

1 arm waving = Hello

2 arms waving = Distress

Technically in paddle sports:

One paddle straight up = "Everything is OK/Continue".

One paddle held horizontally = "Stop/Distress"

I'm not sure exactly what this guy was doing to flag people down, or what the OP witnessed.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Stranded Boats

Shipping Lanes LOL. What are those.

Anyway I'm guessing if people see you paddling they will stop to help.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Stranded Boats

I ran outta gas in my "New" boat a few years ago, Not too far from dock, 1/2 mile or so, wind was against us, but wife paddled as the kids and I hung off the swim platform and kicked out feet, we'd a made it but a boater came buy and drug us in. We've towed SO many people I cant count, we've had to be towed twice in diff boats, both were due to fuel starvation prior to "Learning" the gauge! After out last tow, I decided to buy a Distress flag, it stays in the boat and can be hung from ANYTHING! I hope we never need it and I HOPE at least a few people know what it means. After this past weekend at the lake I dont think anyone knows anything about anything except having a good time.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Stranded Boats

I am more than willing to help out a fellow boater however I will not count on anyone to stop anymore. TowboatUS is only $60. To me thats a no brainer. 1/2 from dock, I'd try to make it back myself first.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Stranded Boats

I am more than willing to help out a fellow boater however I will not count on anyone to stop anymore. TowboatUS is only $60. To me thats a no brainer. 1/2 from dock, I'd try to make it back myself first.

If you are in an area where there is a commercial tow service...

 

[badkins50]

Re: Stranded Boats

If you are in an area where there is a commercial tow service...

very true. as a side note lake erie is covered.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Stranded Boats

Thats what the big orange flag is for. A distress signal flag. We recently got pulled over for inspection a few weeks ago (Long story short) and all was good except i had a plain old orange flag with no writing on it and the boat police gave me a warning and said we needed one that was US Coast guard approved for this very situation.

Went to boat store and now i have the right one for less than 10 bucks.

Happy Boating!

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Stranded Boats

Boat in slip; guy waving shirt; yep, won't really draw my attention either.

I have towed in many a boat as well. The weird non-tow was a boat just sitting in a busy part of the lake. I slowed down, looked to see if any one was in the water, and asked if they needed help. Nope, just waiting for a tow from a friend. Then I smelled burnt engine and saw little wisps of smoke coming from the engine hatch. "Need a fire extinguisher?" Nope. We waited for a bit just to ensure that any fire was out and asked again if they needed any help. Nope.

We finished our outing after about an hour and saw the same boat still bobbing in the waves on our return trip. I slowed down and asked if they needed any help. Nope, help is on the way. "Ya, sure?" Yep.

Oh well.

 

[Ithica DB]

Re: Stranded Boats

OK y'all are not going to beleive this I just went by one of my suppiers and guess what I saw? The boat I towed in on Fri night in his yard. It is a small world, I noticed it on the way out it must be one of his workers. Do good for others because I am counting on them doing good for me!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stranded Boats

Waving doesn't work well. it is too common to draw attention. Sitting on the bow paddling works real well to attract attention. Seems to be a universal sign that the motor is broke...

If you cannot make headway, anchor up and then paddle to attract attention.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Stranded Boats

81Checkmate, are you talking about the skier down flat ?? The plain orange one ??

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: Stranded Boats

You know, I work very hard, I rarely get to go out. I maintain my boat meticulously and have Tow Boat and Sea Tow subscriptions. I do not have time to tow people around who are too cheap to purchase what is very cheap tow insurance. Sure, if I am going their way and it is only a short distance or if they are in fact in actual distress (a motor not running in and of itself is not a distress situation) I will provide a tow or offer to take them aboard my boat and they can set anchor and abandon their boat. I do not like to tow boats, it causes my engine to run hot, fuel is 4 plus dollars a gallon and I have little time to myself as it is. Get tow insurance and call a tow from your cell or vhf.

JR

 

[fishfeatures]

Re: Stranded Boats

High'n'dry, all very well in theory but what if you boat in a place with no SeaTow? Happened to me last week as my engine failed and although i and my better half were paddling, we were still passed by two boats who were going back to our dock. Eventually towed back by a great jetski user who got a tank refill from one very grateful stranded boater.

Manners cost very little and what goes around comes around..Karma...
Nobody should be left stranded on the water.

 

[Ithica DB]

Re: Stranded Boats

OK the plot thickens: I used my jet ski to go to practice last night since my daughter is out of town. I made it close to the site when low oil light came on (problem for another forum) I called my wife asked her to bring the boat at the end of practice to tow jet ski home. During practice a jet skier was sitting in the middle of the site,. I found out he was broke down, pulled him to the beach and said help would be here in 40 min. Wife shows up hook both jetskis up and start around the corner and we hear a whistle from another boat ended up with three vessels being towed.
I don't mind towing anyone jetskier was very gratfull but the boat people my not get another pull from me. I don't take money but I do like a little gratitude, say thankyou in a nice manner.
As for the orange and red flags around here that just means Clemson U or South Carolina U how am I to know.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Stranded Boats

The lakes I frequent have no cell service and no one around to answer a VHF call much less be covered by Sea Tow! I like being safe and well equipped. When I saw the Distress flag I knew this would be added to my boat. Its a large Bright Orange like a ski flag but has a black square and black ball in the middle. Not required for lakes and rivers not open to the sea but I would hope if I needed help it would get a little attention! Everyone we've towed has been grateful and thanked us, most offer money which we never accept although I let my son take some cash once because he had to hold the bowline for a mile and they wouldn't take no for an answer.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Stranded Boats

Distress flag is one of the manatory items needed for inspection in Ohio