The Tow

[dubblbubbl]

Re: The Tow

I towed a boatload of drunks about a mile one time, they had run out of gas and were 'swimming' to the ramp. One guy was in the water with a line around his waist and he was pulling the boat in and another was paddling with a ski. I didn't realize the condition they were in until after I had started the tow. They were hootin' and hollerin' the whole way in. Then they start to argue about who's fault it was that they ran out of gas. Man what a scene. It's late, just about sundown and everything is pretty quiet in the cove where the boat ramps are, except these idjits in this boat, you can hear their yelling echoing off the hills. Man what a sight. <br /><br />Now as luck would have it, they want to use the same ramp I use, so I take them over there tie them off and begin the slow circle while I wait on them to load (other ramp was blocked by boat with a kid sitting in it). Not a thank you, not a have a good one, not even the offer of a beer. They were so worked up by the time we got to the ramp I expected to see a fight break out any minute, I was sure glad to get rid of that trouble. Would I do it again, yes, that goes without saying. You always try to help if you can, just be prepared for the consequences. They do say "No good deed goes unpunished" after all.<br /><br />Man, I gots ta find a different ramp next year, the idjit percentage is just way too high at that one.

 

[Peter1959628]

Re: The Tow

Do unto others as you would like to be done by.<br />And the point is be thankfull not snobbish as was the ungratefull lady.<br />Gratitude lasts longer and its not just fellow boaters that need help.<br />Tow & be towed thats what i'd say and offer any kind of help to someone in trouble on the water.<br /><br />Dublbubble Where is that Location ?<br />I would like to avoid that one!

 

[deofc]

Re: The Tow

Reverse on the "bad" PWC image. Two years ago I had taken my son out for a quick boat ride before he headed back to school. We were only going to be out for about 30 minutes as he had a 3 hour drive ahead of him. It was a used boat that I was working on. While we were out there were lots of PWC's in the area speeding, circleing, jumping each others wakes, getting to close to other boats. We both had commented on how they acted like they owned the water and how they needed to pay more attention to other boats and how bad they were. Anyway, we had been out about 15 minutes and had turned around to head back to the dock when the engine just shut off. Pulled, pushed, twisted, pumped, waited, cursed, tried all the usual tricks to get it started but NOTHING (turned out to be the power pack. Had two paddles, so we started paddleing (in to the wind naturally) not making a lot of progress. A flock of PWC's comes roaring by, laughing, pointing and waving (note: several boats had passed us by also) I'm not thinking good thoughts about any of them when one of the PWC's peels off from the pack and circles back toward us and offers a tow. His friends just keep on going. Since we are not making much headway we accept. His PWC had an attachment for pulling tubes. We hooked up the tow rope and very slowly and carefully he pulled us back to our dock. I thank him and offer to pay him ($20) and he refuses and explains that his father had taught him that you are supposed to help people if you see that they are having trouble. I no longer fuss about kids having fun on their PWC's.

 

[bassndude112]

Re: The Tow

Reading this thread really brings back my own bitter memories. One day my fiance and I decided to catch the late afternoon bass bite. By the time we get to the lake and get the boat launched we had about 1 hour and 45 miutes to fish before the lake closes to boating. Not a big deal.. we expected this. Anyway, we finally reach our spot and make a few casts. As we turn the corner we notice someone flagging us down from a small ski boat. My fiance and I look at eachother and we knew our fishing was going to come to a quick end but being the good samaritans start to head their direction. Turns out they can't get the motor started and ask if we could tow them back to the marina a couple miles away (keep in mind that they're in a sheltered cove and could easily beach the boat. We agree and start the long tow back. Due to the wind, it takes us about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Once we get near the dock, one of the men in the boat then tells us to release the rope and that they could paddle the rest of the way. As we release the rope we find something totally totally unbelievable! They start to paddle away without saying a thank you, giving stare of appreciation, or waving goodbye. Our jaws dropped to the ground! We sacrafied our time, gas, launch/parking fee's and the totally strained my little 25hp motor. Where the heck was the gratitude??? I was hoping for at very least a thank you, and maybe even an offer to pay my lauch fees. I would have quickly refused to take anything, but the gesture would have been nice. If I knew that they were JERKS I would have towed them back to the middle of the lake and left them there! I swear we were so shocked. I swore that I'd never tow anyone again! It's these types of people that make others not want to help. I could have left them there. They weren't in any danger. We could have finished up our fishing and contacted the ranger when we were finished, but because of the goodness of our hearts we didn't want them to wait long for help. We were furious! But after all that, I think that many of you would be happy to know we still help people and have towed atleast a few boats back since then (including a ranger ). Thanks for listening... I feel better now . I just hope that if it ever happens to me, that someone would return the courtesy .

 

[PDS]

Re: The Tow

Bassndude112, I'm sorry you ran into the 2% group of boaters. You'll just have to take our word for it( the 98%) that if we are in trouble, and you help us, we will offer to pay for your gas, or at least buy you some beers. Last year, my motor got ill on me, and I pulled the cover off, and started rowing towards the landing and a fisherman came up to me and offered a tow to the landing. I gladly acepted and he pulled me over to the landing, I wanted to at least give him a six pack, but all he wanted was a thanks, and go back fishing. Maybe sometime I can repay him. P.D.S.

 

[billh1963]

Re: The Tow

One summer when I was 14 I ran a line of 80 to 100 crab traps in the SC lowcountry ( I was young but 5'8" tall and 150 lbs). Anyway, I broke down several times over the summer and usually had no problem securing a tow. I also towed several people. I remember one time, though, I was in a small creek and broke down several miles from the boat ramp. I had my 12 year old sister with me helping out. After an hour or two a boat came by with a New Yorker and his two buddies and says he's looking for the Fripp Island marina. I give him directions and then ask if he can tow me there since we're broke down. He said he was going to run to the marina real quick and would tow us back on his return. To make a long story short he never came back. My dad found us that evening and we got home about midnight (about 14 hours on the water). I told my dad about the Yankee and my Dad took a gun and went to Fripp looking for them. Some friends of his went with him. If my Dad had found them I have no doubt he would have killed them. This was during the days when the lowcountry was inhabited by hardy men and women...not retired transplants. To this day I have a deep dislike for New Yorker's...not fair, I know, but that's the way it happens.

 

[Red Rider]

Re: The Tow

I read this the other day and I wasn't going to post anything, but today I happened to see someone broken down. It turned out to be some people that I towed in three years ago. Of course they wanted me to tow then in, but I had to refuse.<br /><br />Three years ago they hit an oyster rock at about the speed of sound and broke off the lower unit of one outboard, and the keg and prop on the other was damaged bad. I towed then in, not to the nearest Marina, but a few extra miles to where they had put in. I got a gratefull thank you from them at the Marina and I was satisfied. We said goodbye, and I went on my way.<br /><br />The boat that I had that day was my 32' comerical fishing boat, and somehow or other my boats name got mentioned to their insurance company when they filed a claim. To make a long story short they asked the insurance company to reimburse them for the coast of the tow, (I never got any money from them). The insurance company was under the impression that I pulled them off a rock and towed them in as part of a commerical deal, wanted me to pay for the damage to the motors. The insurance company was under the impression that the motors were damaged by me pulling them off of the oyster rock.<br /><br />Neadless to say I told these people what I thought of them, and got on the radio and told everyone on the air about them too. I did give tmeh the phone number of TowBoat. Of course I called TowBoat on the radio and told them the story too.<br /><br />By the way the weather was OK and they were in no danger. In fact they could have waided ashore and caught a cab home if they wanted to.

 

[Throbbin Rods]

Re: The Tow

Rented acamp a few years ago on Newfound lake. Folks and step folks came over one evening and I was giving them a tour of the lake in my 18' Bowrider with 115HP Johnson. Bunch of morons running around getting way too close and drinkin and havin a heck of a time. One I/O goes by us abou 60 feet away, going mach 3. As he disappears around the corner we hear "BANG" and see a cloud of smoke. Comin' out party for a connecting rod! I pulled alongside, took a peek at the gapin' hole in the block and offered a tow. Ruined the twilight tour for the inlaws and outlaws, but got these inebriated mensa members off the water and showed them fisherman are all right. No offer of $$, booze, stock tips, dance lessons, or anything else, but I know I did the right thing.

 

[dubblbubbl]

Re: The Tow

Peter - <br /><br />Copperhead Island on Lake Wylie. You know, where the gang killings took place this summer.

 

[controlfreak]

Re: The Tow

Reminds me when I was younger, I had a junky boat. We sent two guys up river to start the bbq and the other three were to ski and play up to them. Then eat and switch guys for the ride back. It was a good plan until the steering bolts came out of the outboard, at which point we continued and omitting some embarassing stuff, we got a tow from a 455 jet boat. Since my wallet was in the truck a few miles down stream, all I could do was say thanks, and offer to pay them later. They were a little miffed, but went on their way. <br /><br />Now I have a newer reliable boat, and if I ever see that jetboat needing a tow, they'll get all my gas!! So the way I see it is always help, and expect only a thank you, because one day it might be you. And if they're jerks, remember fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

 

[K Hultgre]

Re: The Tow

Many many moons ago, my dad borrowed a boat with a 65 hp Merc from a friend of his so we could take in a weekend of fishing on lake Winnibigosh (northern Mn). Started out Sat morning full load of gas, bait, and food ready to stay out all day. We had decided to go up the shore about 2 miles and slowly work around. We made it about 1 mile and the engine up and dies. We pulled the cowling off to see if we can fix (fixed our own Johnsons) then noticed the engine had a dist cap (to me that seemed strange, an outboard with a dist cap) then I noticed there was a timing belt and it was in pieces (**** piece of #@$5 Merc). Needless to say the wind was fairly strong and of course blowing directly from the direction we needed to go back. No problem I'll use the trolling motor to get us to shore and then well be able to walk back and get help. Tried the trolling motor, it worked for 2 min. and died, battery was charged so another broken piece of ^&##% on this boat. Hey dad your friend have insurance on this thing, cause we should help him out and pull the plug. It was a fairly busy day on the lake with boats going by every 5 min. or so and no one stopped to ask if we needed help. So we decided to toss a line in and see if anything was around. We fished for about an hour without luck and decided we would have to row in. So while I rowed my father used the anchor to help move us (throw it in and pull the boat, throw it in and pull the boat). We did this for about half an hour, must have seen a dozen boats 16'- 20' pass by and no one would stop. Not until a couple local fishermen in their 14' Aluminum with a 15hp stopped to ask if we need help. They gladly hooked us up and towed us back. It was a long ride and that 15hp was working hard but we eventually made it back. We offered them some money for gas or some extra bait but they politely refused and off they went to go fishin. Why no one else would stop is still beyond my realm of comprehension. Cowling off the engine, one person rowing, and one person slinging the anchor, to me it screamed HELP US!!! <br />B.T.W. We still offer help to others in need.

 

[jtexas]

Re: The Tow

I agree if I see you rowing I'll stop to check. But next time try waving both arms over your head.

 

[TPD211]

Re: The Tow

chuckybaby wrote<br /><br />

felt bad because we could see that the girls were cold (come in tokyo)

Hehe "Come in Tokyo Come in Tokyo" "Calling Rangoon Calling Rangoon"

 

[speedwrench]

Re: The Tow

Few Sundays ago nice day put 'toon in water,cruised around, stopped bt marina and ate, heading home about 30 minutes before dark. Passed 'toon with senior (70's) couple. Waved, they waved back, on my way.Couple minutes later kids on jet ski run us down and tell us other boat broke down. If would have been me would have been jumping up and down and waving shirt. Anyway, they were from across lake, too late (and not enough gas) to tow them back across. Loaned cell phone so could call some one, no answer.Towed to our ramp and called friend that lives by ramp to let him tie him off at her pier. Dropped him off at pier and told him had to go back home drop wife off to get my trailer and would be right back. <br /> Got boat loaded and around to her house. No one there, they had talked her into taking them home, 60 mile round trip around lake. He (guess it was him)came back sometime Wedsday while she wasn't home and picked up boat. Friend said he was mad because I left to go get my trailer and get boat out before dark. Not so much as a thank to ether of us(he knows my name and where I live). I'll be happy to help someone else but HE will be sitting there a long time if it happens again.

 

[ChrisMcLaughlin]

Re: The Tow

Now this may be a stupid question but...isn't it <br />a bit illegal to leave some one stranded out in the water if you can help and they have no recourse? (no radio, maybe offshore,) If not illegal, immoral? I'm not sure I could sleep thinking that someone is adrift out there and I could have helped. (After I finish my fishing of course).

 

[speedwrench]

Re: The Tow

... and maybe this is a stupid answer, but would you sleep good knowing you were pulled in right at dark, loaned a cell phone, found a safe place to tie up your boat for four days, taken home 60 mile round trip and didn't even have the (I don't know the right word) to even say thanks to any of us? <br /> I don't want and would not have accepted any money, but even an acknowledgement we existed might be nice. Instead he *itches at my friend all the way home because I left to get my trailer so I could get my boat out before dark. (didn't make it, no lights at ramp, no trailer lights) Makes me really look forward to helping him again. <br />Anyone else: any place, anytime, fine, but him: Yea, sure, hold your breath.

 

[jtexas]

Re: The Tow

No trailer lights?

 

[coachmup]

Re: The Tow

I was with a friend on his boat about 20 minutes out. About 30 minutes before dark a storm cloud rolls in making it dark early. We get set to head in and nothing works no motor, no electronics, no lights. Mess around trying to get it going to no avail. 45 minutes later we get the trolling motor to work, still no lights. By this time it is raining hard. We begin the 1 1/2 hour troll back to pier all the while being passed by other boats. We had no lights so maybe they couldn't see us but we were yelling and screaming. Nobody stopped to help. Got back cold wet and sick. I couldn't believe the mindset it would take for that many people to pass us by.

 

[jtexas]

Re: The Tow

On Granbury Lake, coach? <br />

all the while being passed by other boats

Hard to understand that many people with that mindset - you'd think at least one would've been there for you.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: The Tow

This is a great thread. I will help anyone who needs it. Have seen the good and the bad. Then about three years ago I was in it bad. Dead engine, in the middle of nowhere, 15 mile hike to get help if I could get ashore, and wife (now ex-wife)put plug in incorrectly and we were taking on water.<br /><br />Jumped in water to secure a fix on the incoming water from the drain, couldn't do it from the inside, and I was freezing. I really needed a tow. After 45min.'s a boat came by and offered to help with a tow. I was thrilled and thanked them verbally and with cash.<br /><br />The relief of getting that tow vs.the frustration I have felt from thoughtless idiots that I have helped can't compare. I don't know if it is a law, but in my mind it is, If I can help, I will without reservation..