Towing a disabled boat in water.

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Towing a disabled boat in water.

I selectively tow, and I have towed many boats in - even a canoe once (that was tricky). and up to a 32' carver a few weeks back. If it is a bunch of red-neck trouble makers, no kids etc, I will not go offer help. one time a bunch of jerks wanted a tow, real bunch of losers, so I pull them very short distance to a public pier then they start yelling for me to take them way up the river. Nope sorry, got them to the pier, unhooked my bridle, and left them there. They had the nerve to swear and such. But all other encounters were great.

I should also mention i have been towed myself twice...so it goes both ways. Generally super nice people/families on boats, everyone helps eachother.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Towing a disabled boat in water.

I've been helping people out all my boating life. It's the right thing to do.

Exactly what you do to help is determined by too many circumstances to guess and list. Boating is not one size fits all. There may be circumstances where you decide not to tow--there are other ways to help, though--but in my experience that is the exception and never the rule.

If you know what you're doing, there is no appreciable risk to "your family and your boat" greater than the risks naturally associated with boating. Pulling a child on a tube is greater risk to "your family and your boat" than safely towing a disabled boat that's smaller than yours in fair weather.