Would you help this person?

[waterinthefuel]

This is a hypothetical.

Let's say that during your launch you met someone who was a bit annoying talking about his brand new rig, how fast it went, how much he paid, how he bought all new rods and reels, and went on and on and on. He took his time at the launch, was just a basic jerk.

Later in the morning while moving from one fishing spot to another you see him, trolling motor in the water, outboard tilted up, cowling off, moving slowly back in the direction of the landing.

Would you give him a tow or would you pretend you never saw him? Would you be able to leave your animosity toward him at the boat ramp? Would you treat him as a boater in need?

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Would you help this person?

well i have been stuck out bad sulphurmine on sunday blown headgasket
was passed by two boats then and 80 year old guy with his granson in a welded hanko boat pulled me 18 miles to the marina pointauchin not were i put in because he didnt have enough fuel to pull me to were i put in
when we got there he said he would take me to my truck 30 miles away to get my trailer and truck but we had to hurry he had to be at his grandauters
birthday, so now i dont leave anyone that is stranded far out ,
but if he had killer trolling motor and was in sight of the landing i would probaly let him troll there to learn from his mistakes

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Would you help this person?

I'd charge him $50/mile for a tow.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Would you help this person?

I have actually had that basic scenario occur and ended up finding the guy and his brand new, way too darn expensive, huge motor on a bass boat .... dead in the water around the first bend in the bayou.

Actually, I towed him in with a big ole grin on my face because part of his obnoxiousness had to do with bragging about his boat and "dissing" mine.

Like they say, payback is a .....

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Would you help this person?

In Virginia, it is against the law to ignore a stranded boat, though I would assume it would be rather hard to prove. I have been towed many times and always return the favor. In your case, I would have done it just because of what he told you...hypothetically.

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Would you help this person?

Heck yes I would. Then when close to the ramp, I would start making as much noise as possible so everybody could see him having to be towed back.
Breaking down will eventually happen to us all, but that doesn't make it any less embarrassing.
Erik
'99 Sea Ray 190 BR

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Would you help this person?

I had fun one year towing a braggart six miles back to his landing with a thirty year old 7 1/2 horse engine on a $150, twenty year old fishing tin can.

This fella had been obnoxious in his launching and had been buzzing many of us fishermen and honking his horn with abandon and enjoying his triple engined societal statement. Several times during the tow he offered to buy my rig. I guess the bikini clad babes in his boat were also impressed, as two of them asked for a ride home fom a guy with several catfish in the bottom of his boat.

It has been twenty years since and I will admit that I am such a small person that it is still funny to me.

Some call it Karma, some call it justice, I just called it funny that day

 

[JCF350]

Re: Would you help this person?

He's still underway. Would help only if flagged.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Would you help this person?

I have towed many a boat in when needed. I does not matter too much about how their behaviour and attitude was previously. There is nothing makes you humbler than a dead in the water boat. I think a lot of peoples attitudes change the first time they find they are not invincible out there.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Would you help this person?

I'd have to help him otherwise I'd feel like I was a worse person than he was.

I see that as an opportunity to demonstrate that life (and people) are better on a boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Would you help this person?

i believe every state requires you to. lend what ever assistance you can do safely. i've towed and been towed too many times, to leave someone stranded.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Would you help this person?

I had this happen about 5 years back. We was camping at my local lake. In the spot behind us a big new motor coach, and Ford F350 dually pulling a pretty large tunnel hulled boat with BB's. All their stuff was brand new. He was not keeping it quiet about being a big ole lottery winner.

It was early in the season and cold out. Not very many boats on the lake as of yet due to the weather. He launched at took his parents, his wifes parents, and their 6 kids out. Boat may have been big, but it sure looked crowded.

It was quiet out and all you could hear was those Big Blocks just a roaring in the valley. Then all of a sudden you could hear the spitting and sputter of his engines and then silence. Our group of people walked over to the docks to have a looksee. Nope he is not in sight,,,,,,niether is there any other boats. There we sat at the dock deciding who was going to go help. So we just waited, and waited some more hoping that another boater somewhere on the lake would go help. 3 hours later we could hear screaming and yelling going on like a typical family feud.

Okay, it was now time to go rescue this group. I got selected since my boat was a bit bigger and had more power to tow this 32'er in. We get around the bend and there they sat, dead in the water with everyone onboard flagging us down. Got him back in and even helped him load his rig up. During this whole time, Mr. Lottery winner didn't say too much at all except many many Thank Yous to us. He offered us money for the help, but I turned it down.

It turns out that him being a new boater did not know the importance of having muffs on his engines while out of the water. Brand new boat with two possibly blown engines due to over heating. They didn't even stay that night as they packed up and left shortly afterwards.

The following year, they came back. He remembered me and my group and later brought a big box of steaks for us. He spent most of that weekend at our campsite getting lessons on boating and maintenance. As for money, he said it cost him $15K to get his engines replaced. He did admitt that it was a costly error due to his own ingnorance. He also had mufflers put on those BB's as he had also got complaints about how loud it was.

I'll tow anyone in because I know at some point in time that I hope the favor will be returned...........SS

 

[Mark42]

Re: Would you help this person?

Of course I would lend assistance.

1) Its the right thing to do.

2) Its the law.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Would you help this person?

I feel the same as Spots...

 

[aspeck]

Re: Would you help this person?

Short answer, YES. Have helped many a person on the lake - don't care who they are, if they need help I will do what I can.

 

[tommays]

Re: Would you help this person?

I would allways get them safe

BUT towing at least around here with how ruff the water usally is a dicy thing

While we all keep lines on board ,how many of them are really rated for towing in anything but the calmest conditions

 

[MikDee]

Re: Would you help this person?

Well if he was under power with his trolling motor as you say, and was not too far from the ramp, nor in any danger from the waves, & weather, then No!
Let him learn to be humble, But if he were stranded, or in danger, then Yes, of course.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Would you help this person?

Have done it before........................will do it again if called for.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Would you help this person?

When on the water the head must always rule the heart.

 

[i386]

Re: Would you help this person?

As long as I could tow it without damaging my boat I would. Otherwise they'd be welcome to use my phone or I'd give 'em a ride to the marina or something.

It's only happened to me once when I didn't properly torque my flywheel. It's no fun being stranded, especially when it's close to getting dark. 2 guys stopped fishing to tow me when they saw me trolling by.