Towing services????

[Bill3434]

Re: Towing services????

I don't think anyone offers that kind of service on the lake I'm on but usually not a problem; I've towed and been towed.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Towing services????

Just to clarify?? I believe that I have a MORAL, not legal responsibility to assist a stranded/distressed boater. It is simply the right thing to do.
Assisting them may mean towing them to the ramp, that may mean bringing them gas, that may mean transporting them to shore, or it may mean a phone call to emergency services.

That's the crux of the matter, and the reason I've as much as been called a 'heartless SOB' when I describe the degree of aid I'm willing to provide in a given circumstance. Many seem to feel that they're entitled to the help they WANT, instead of the help I'm offering. I strongly disagree with that view.

I would never leave anyone in danger, I would never leave anyone who was hurt, I would never leave anyone who was truly fearful (like a family with young kids) of their predicament. I probably won't tow you any distance, but I'll summon help if you need me to, and stand by until it arrives. If, on the other hand, you're asking me to render close quarters, non-emergency assistance to a boatload of drunken fishermen, you can pretty much forget it. Too risky.

As for not calling a tow service because you don't have enough money on hand, tough. They take credit cards. I'll call 'em for you if you'd like.

My .02

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Towing services????

that is the way i interpreted the law i may be wrong it wouldn't be the first time

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Towing services????

and it is all you people who refuse to help another boater that is making people frustrated.
whatever happened to help thy neighbour and do unto others as you would have do unto you.

this summer i towed a guy in with my brand new boat. I did it properly, got him to the marina that was about 300 yards away. I saved his boat from crashing into a bunch of rocks. He offered me 20 bucks for my help. I tried to refuse it, and he asked me not to insult him. rather then take it for myself, i told him i would buy my daughter ice cream with it and now i see him on the water regularly and if i see him at the pub he buys me a beer. i didnt expect anything back i did it cuz i knew if i were in that situation i would like the help.
If more people thought like i do then towing services would be obsolete

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Towing services????

that is the way i interpreted the law i may be wrong it wouldn't be the first time

Well, I think most people would stop, they just do not like it being mandated by some beaurocrat. I certainly do not want to be forced to help and put myself or my family in danger to obey some ridiculous law. I do not want to have to help someone that routinely abuses the charity of others.

I have towed people back to the dock over 30 miles in the rain, I have fixed people's boats on the water, I have done many things, but I do it on my terms. I dont want some governmetn agency that has NEVER been on a boat tell me what I am and am not supposed to do.

That being said, I would never rely on someone else for my own problems. If someone stopped to help, I would probably take the help under most circumstances, but wouldnt expect it. That is personal responsibility. Its my boat, I took it out, I am responsible for what happens while I am out there. Plain and simple. That being said, ultimately it is your responsibility to get your own *** off the water, not everyone elses.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Towing services????

and it is all you people who refuse to help another boater that is making people frustrated.
whatever happened to help thy neighbour and do unto others as you would have do unto you.

this summer i towed a guy in with my brand new boat. I did it properly, got him to the marina that was about 300 yards away. I saved his boat from crashing into a bunch of rocks. He offered me 20 bucks for my help. I tried to refuse it, and he asked me not to insult him. rather then take it for myself, i told him i would buy my daughter ice cream with it and now i see him on the water regularly and if i see him at the pub he buys me a beer. i didnt expect anything back i did it cuz i knew if i were in that situation i would like the help.
If more people thought like i do then towing services would be obsolete

You are making an assumption that we all boat where there are other boaters. You are also making an assumption that some part of every person's time on the water belongs to you. I would never assume to take someone else's time because my boat broke down.

I stop every time I see a broken boat, or someone in need. I just do not expect it of others. That is irresponsible.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Towing services????

and it is all you people who refuse to help another boater that is making people frustrated.
whatever happened to help thy neighbour and do unto others as you would have do unto you.

I've never refused to help another boater. Depending on the circumstance, I render the degree of assistance that I would want/expect for myself, as in... I wouldn't want to cost them money, or ruin their day's outing because of MY predicament. The person in need of help doesn't decide what's appropriate- the person helping them does.

Why do you think I wouldn't toss a line to someone who was blowing up on shore (though I don't understand why they wouldn't deploy their anchor before it got to that), or that I wouldn't tow them 300 yards?

My .02

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Towing services????

i've never refused to help another boater. Depending on the circumstance, i render the degree of assistance that i would want/expect for myself, as in... I wouldn't want to cost them money, or ruin their day's outing because of my predicament. The person in need of help doesn't decide what's appropriate- the person helping them does.

Why do you think i wouldn't toss a line to someone who was blowing up on shore (though i don't understand why they wouldn't deploy their anchor before it got to that), or that i wouldn't tow them 300 yards?

My .02

exactly!!

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Towing services????

the guys anchore rope got untied and i agree if the circumstances will put you in danger then you are not required to offer assistance but it was a small fishing boat that i knew i could handle and helped a fellow boater in need did it ruin my day no i was happy to help would i do it again of course i would do i agree with your practice of im not helping you go screw yourself no its a selfish way of thinking and i hope that when your in need of help someone comes to your aid and makes you feel like crap

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Towing services????

opcorn: op2:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Towing services????

littlerayray, you are over analyzing-posts and getting worked up about it. Please calm down.

Let's say I have 4 hours in a given week to boat. Am I obliged to spend an hour or more of it towing someone back to the ramp who decided it wasn't worth it to buy tow insurance but is not in any real danger? I don't think so. Now for me personally this is mostly speculation because I DO typically boat on sections of a river with no towing available. And if I was out sometime and someone needed help I'd certainly do so, but if I was on the Chesapeake and someone needed a long tow, they're getting the loan of a cell phone and nothing more.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Towing services????

do i agree with your practice of im not helping you go screw yourself no its a selfish way of thinking and i hope that when your in need of help someone comes to your aid and makes you feel like crap

Please re-read my posts. You still haven't comprehended what I've said, and I can only say it so many different ways. I never even remotely implied that I'd tell someone to 'go screw yourself', instead of offering help. I always offer help.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Towing services????

maybe i am misreading it but im the type of guy who goes out of his way even if i only have 4 hours a week to go boating
maybe its the way i was brought up or maybe its the good feeling i get of knowing i helped someone
or maybe its i grew up with so little that i am gratefull for what i have

 

[JoLin]

Re: Towing services????

This is going nowhere. No harm, no foul. Glad you're out there helping, same as the rest of us.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Towing services????

This is going nowhere. No harm, no foul. Glad you're out there helping, same as the rest of us.

Yeah, no kidding.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Towing services????

Am sure most (if not all) of us stop to help a fellow boater in need. I'm always happy to do that and have been on the receiving end of help a couple of time too.

When I needed boat tow though it was late on a Sunday afternoon and there was NOBODY around. They started calling the local shops and called me back when they found someone. Told me that IF I had to pay anything to send them the bill and they'd reimburse, but the marina billed them instead. I just tipped the guys and went on my way....and that's typical of the service I've received from Boat US over the years. Top notch outfit, and worth the $20/year membership even if you don't insure through them. They're our only boating lobby in DC.

The freshwater towing plan is only about $50/year; I'll never be without it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Towing services????

a lot of times when I'm out in the boat I'm looking for something to do, and helping someone out can be enjoyable on two levels: something to do in a boat and helping someone out. So if the fishing's off or I'm tired of not catching, weather's good, got time to kill, why not? OTOH if I'm taking wife or friends to a specific destination/activity, and the guy needing help is (a) not in danger (b) requires a long time for help (like a long tow) and (c) has other means of help including commercial services, then he gets a pass after I've checked on him.

I do a lot of winter-time night fishing which is quite dangerous for the uninformed--I have interrupted my fishing to drag their dumb carcasses to shore. that I see as a mercy mission even though I hate missing the fishing time over it.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Towing services????

my point is that no matter the circumstances at least stop and see if they need help

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Towing services????

my point is that no matter the circumstances at least stop and see if they need help

And our point is and has been that we DO EXACTLY THAT!! The degree of help we are willing to give should not be dictated by some beaurocrat!!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Towing services????

And our point is and has been that we DO EXACTLY THAT!!

You DO? I wouldn't...





(sorry, couldn't resist- ROFLMAO!)