www.iFourWinns.com

Yes but that's not even worth arguing about. I would have waited for anyone if someone was coming. They did not want to notify anyone because another boat had offered a tow, but wasn't ready to leave yet...they just wanted to go earlier. There was no sense in me waiting.

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Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

I also want to add that the one time I called for a tow (and it was $85) it was worth every cent. He knew exactly what he was doing, had all necessary equipment and the right boat (a dual outbaord that he could position perfectly) we were in choppy water and he never touched my boat with his. He towed me with a tow line to behind the brake wall, then side by side to the launch ramp dock and pushed me right in to the dock with no problems.

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Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

I simply could not imagine owning a boat and not spending $125 a year on a sea tow subscription.......

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2005 Four Winns Funship 214 VP 5.7/Duo Prop

I've towed and been towed...I was lucky the last time I was towed. Just got on the lake and cruised about 20 minutes before the out drive failed and froze up. Since it was a 2 hour drive to the lake I said screw it, i anchored and told everyone to jump in and start swimming (at a lake)...after an hour we got in and had our lunch onboard and relaxed for a bit. So when we were relaxed and ready to go I said I'll start waving for the first boat that goes by...luckily for us, it was the sheriff boat cruising the lake so he promptly towed us in and we were on our way

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95 Four Winns 190 Horizon 5.0 Omc Cobra/VP
93 Malibu Echelon LX

2005 Dodge Ram 392 stroked hemi

If that exsisted at Lake Mead I would agree. They have no service here....business opportunity? Are they a franchise? They are...now just to get that $500k capital to get it started. Kickstart maybe?

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Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

Chris.........Does Lake Mead have any kind of towing service available?........you said they guy that wanted you to tow him didn't want to pay the $85 tow bill.......that statement leads me to believe they do have something......


If you have a sea tow subscription........then you have towing service anywhere......you simply pay the bill and submit the bill to Sea Tow......they then cut you a check for reimbursement........


Like I said.......there is simply no reason I can think of not to have a subscription to Sea Tow..........


From the Sea Tow website.......


Areas of Service

Home Area Tows: All members are entitled to unlimited assistance towing services on the covered vessel and may be towed by Sea Tow to the dock of their choice within their selected home area at no charge. No time limits, distance limits or dollar limits apply within your home area.

Multiple Area Towing: All members out of their home area will be towed by Sea Tow to the dock or facility that will best facilitate the repair or transportation of their boat, or to their home port if it is in the adjacent Sea Tow area.

Universal Towing Coverage: In areas where Sea Tow is not yet operating, Sea Tow will assist in arranging, and will reimburse for, assistance towing up to $225 per hour, not to exceed $5000 PER INCIDENT, to the dock or facility that will best facilitate the boat's repair or transportation, with no annual aggregate limit. You must use a USCG licensed professional tower, pay the bill and submit a copy of the invoice to Sea Tow Services International for reimbursement at Post Office Box 1178 Southold, New York 11971. Reimbursement requests must be postmarked within 60 days of service received. Tows and hourly rates in excess of $225 per hour will not be paid without prior authorization.

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2005 Four Winns Funship 214 VP 5.7/Duo Prop

Oh I didn't know that, I thought they had to have a business on the lake. Yes I have used the service from Callville Bay Marina to get my boat towed for $85. So looks like it would be a good idea.

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Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

I am sorry but if you cannot afford 85 bucks for a tow when you dont have towing insurance then you should not be boating, hell if you dont have 85 bucks to spend on your boat for any reason then the boat should stay home in the driveway. Come on I am far from wealthy but really 85 bucks.... and I am cheap


Now as far as helping someone yes, helping is sending help or calling for help is assisting.....not towing. I will not tow even my friends. too much risk. I am not a tow professional.
I did tow a sailboat off a sand bar and I was successfull but afterwards in hindsite I saw what could have gone wrong so not again.

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"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

BoatUs towing will reimburse up to $2500. Their cost is $43 plus $24 membership fee.

Money well spent IMO. I was towed once on Lake Erie, the bill was about the cost of 4 years worth of coverage. I'm glad I did not have to pay that bill.

Yep, to the $85 bucks and you MUST feel comfortable enough to tow anyone!!

B.S.! Our boats are not built for towing...period! There is so much more to towing than hooking up a rope and going, and it should be left to a trained professional. The list of things that can go wrong and put both the crew of the disabled vessel and your own crew in peril is very long. If someone if about to go over a waterfall or blow into a pile of rocks, then fine a little pull to safety is in order, but towing them to the destination of their choice when they feel good and ready to leave....good luck pal!

If a guy is not willing to pay 85 bucks to have his boat towed,and is in no danger...I'm not risking ripping out a stern cleat.

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

exactly Ben!

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"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Please, I am not saying you should tow anyone. But thats up to you. You need to do whats right for you, which is what I have been saying right along. If you feel that your boat is not made for towing, I respect that. Again, you MUST feel comfortable enough to tow anyone!! What are you towing, an inflatable or a 44' sail boat?

If I saw neutron or Bless36 out there, I would most likey tow you in if needed. I would make up a bridel, and tell you how this is going to be done. Also do a securite on 16. BUT thats me.

Thats way I stated, I would at least call the Harbor Master and not just leave them there. But the story line changed after this comment.

I have towed other boats, its not hard to do if you do it right. BUT I will not tow a boat that is over 3 feet more than my boat. The wight differance is just too much. And if he's too cheap to pay the $85, I would leave him there too. After I call the Harbor Master which is what I have been saying too.

Forgive me, now lets flip this around: "B.S.! Our boats are not built for towing...period" So your telling me that I should not tow any one. I think that should be left up to me, yes?

I love this fourm!!!!!!!!!

You can do whatever you want with your boat, but my statement is fact. Our boats are not specifically designed to tow other vessel's.I'm glad your a good samaritan as am I. If you hit opposing waves and your cleat yanks out it will travel in the same path as the tow line....hopefully none one is in that path because they might look silly with a stainless cleat sticking out of their skull....now who's the hero. Maybe it's my real world experience operating a tow truck for a while that taught me all this silly safety stuff

Who know's maybe your Chaparral is built differently?

_________________
Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Thats why you make up a bridal, so no one cleat is being used and do headway. So when you hit that opposing wave, which you should not, your cleats will not pull out. Its also about seamanship, knowing when and how to do or not to do things. When to tow behind you & when along side of you and when not to tow at all. What type of lines to use and to use fenders in that bridal. Being born & raised on the ocean has have given me that experience. Thats why you approach larger waves on an angle so the boat will roll with them and not oppose them.