- Joined
- Jul 23, 2011
- Messages
- 50,478
my last 3 tows would have averaged well over $1250 out of pocket each event especially when you are 15-23 miles from your port. all covered by my boat us membership. my normal vessel insurance offers towing reimbursement up to 3000, and I have to be able to call them. the boat US guys answer the VHF
towing insurance is almost mandatory down here in florida. its also not uncommon to see Sea Tow and Boat US both attempting to pull a 50+ foot boat off a sand bar and back into the channel, or pulling someone from 20 miles out to their home port.
on one of my tows, I had driven the outdrive into the muck because the channel moved about 20 feet. that took out the props. so I jumped into the water, cut my foot on the oyster shoal, changed the props...... and promptly overheated because the raw water line was plugged from muck. so I still needed a tow
I went out many times with an air-cooled honda outboard (glorified weed whacker with a prop) for backup. just for giggles, we tried pushing the boat against an outgoing tide on the river..... no bueno.... so that was short lived and filled in the holes from the bracket
@searay250 only you can answer which is best for you. However on a pocket cruiser, a well stocked cooler waiting a tow is much more relaxing than fighting current and wind with a small kicker you must maintain. plus the captain coming to give you a tow will appreciate the cold "water"
towing insurance is almost mandatory down here in florida. its also not uncommon to see Sea Tow and Boat US both attempting to pull a 50+ foot boat off a sand bar and back into the channel, or pulling someone from 20 miles out to their home port.
on one of my tows, I had driven the outdrive into the muck because the channel moved about 20 feet. that took out the props. so I jumped into the water, cut my foot on the oyster shoal, changed the props...... and promptly overheated because the raw water line was plugged from muck. so I still needed a tow
I went out many times with an air-cooled honda outboard (glorified weed whacker with a prop) for backup. just for giggles, we tried pushing the boat against an outgoing tide on the river..... no bueno.... so that was short lived and filled in the holes from the bracket
@searay250 only you can answer which is best for you. However on a pocket cruiser, a well stocked cooler waiting a tow is much more relaxing than fighting current and wind with a small kicker you must maintain. plus the captain coming to give you a tow will appreciate the cold "water"