Ever need to tow someone in?

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

So yesterday we were at the Scarborough bluffs on Lake Ontario. There was a family with an 18' Seadoo which there were using for tubing and skiing all day. Sometime in the afternoon, the windshifted and started blowing off shore. Their boat was consipicously absent for well over and hour, so when we were leaving, I decided to go a bit further out where I could see it sitting in the same position. They started waving when they saw me approaching.

It turns out that both engines were out having sucked in the ski tow rope. He had no radio, and 7 people onbard, and asked me to tow him in. I was hesitant, but I had 5 of his family come aboard my boat, and two stayed on his boat. I didn't want to leave him as the wind/waves was pushing his boat further offshore very quickly, so their attempt at paddling in didn't get them very far.

I attached a spare rope to his boat, and went very slowly. I specifically didn't use my 1500 lb tubing rope, but a spare rope rated at just under 500 lbs. I figured that the rope would break first before the cleat for tubing pulled out. Well the rope did break, but we just tied it together, and I got him back to the shore in about 1/2 hour.

The experience left me with a few questions.

1. What exactly is the procedure when people encounter these types of situations.
2. Should I get a rope specifically for towing? I may need it if I ever breakdown
3. Where would you attach this rope if you needed to get towed in. The other boat owner attached it to his two front cleats, but cleats are pretty far apart, and I would be concerned about them pulling out.

JDW250 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:27 am

Unfortunately, I've been in the situation where someone needed a tow several times. It can be a PITA, but I sure would hope someone would stop if I were in trouble, so I help out where I can.

It sounds like you handled the situation well. You do want to get as many of the people out of the trailing boat and into the towing boat as possible. I've looked at this as more of a safety issue than anything else. I typically use a standard tube or ski rope (65' to 75' in length) and run it from my ski tow hook to their bow hook. I like the tube rope because it is already pre-looped at both ends. If using a rope that you will have to tie a knot on either or both ends, then loop it through the eye hook on that end several times. If not, the strain on the rope will tighten the knot extremely tight and you may end up having to cut it off. Learned that one the hard way. Also, towing another boat is an idling process. That goes for jet skis and other personal watercraft as well. Just remember that the boat you are towing has no brakes. Another trick is to have the trailing boat raise their outdrive all the way up to minimize it's rudder effect. After that, take your time and make the best of the situation.

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

Actually you never use the ski tow hook or cleat for towing another boat.....yes get a heavier rope.......I rigged up two heavy ropes with heavy duty clip rings, which I attach to the stern hooks....means you get in water but they are reinforced much more that cleats or skit eyes.....I clip on to both stern hooks and tie off to tow rope leading to the bow eye of the towed boat. This gives me double tie locations to disperse the load on my boat.

That and go slow........I can unhook the clips....untie the slip knot where my leads connect to longer tow rope....or use my knife to cut free in event of problem.

Do Not use cleats or ski tow for this please......if that thing rips out it becomes a missle and can kill or seriously injure someone in either boat.

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2012 1:02 pm

All I have to say is, "you are a good man Charlie Brown". Given where you boat and the unfavorable conditions, I wonder how many boaters blew this tow off? Towing is a PITA and I hope no one gives you grief the way you did it and only good advice (like the previous posters did).

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

I agree on the decision you made for sure...it is a good idea to rig you out a couple ropes for such an occasion, because you never know which end of the rope you may be on:-) but keep in mind those cleat are merely for mooring only....the ski tow hook is beefed up more but the best supported are the stern and bow ties. Not sure about your model but I have four stern ties....use the wider ones.

They were lucky you were there...thought to check on them...and help.

I'm not familiar with the jet boat setup but have heard of them sucking in ski ropes....wonder what all havoc that creates.....I know props have spun a many of rope too, but that can be freed.

204Angler · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2012 7:32 pm

Good job on towing them in. I have towed people in from offshore before and have also been stranded in the middle of a lake at night before where several boats ignored my horn blasts and light signals.
Honestly, when it comes down to it...you probably took just over an hour of your day to help them and hopefully they gave you some gas money or offered you something for your troubles. It can be a hassle at times...I have spent several hours towing someone in from 36 miles out (unfortuneately they did not have seatow or any other service). And although the law doesnt specify you must assist someone unless there is injury or collision but....ya just cant leave people stranded
I am glad no damage was done to your boat, no cleats ripped out or overheating of the engine. Kudos to you

ric · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2012 7:49 pm

just towed another jet ski in today while I was riding one of my neighbors ski. dead bat

jrcinnh · **Joined:** Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:13 am **Posts:** 313

It sounds like you did everything right. You helped him and no one got hurt.

I like the idea about bringing his passengers on your boat, but only if this doesn't overload your boat. Makes sure they have PDFs and have them bring them from their boat.

I don't know if it a law but we all need to help each other in these situations. If you can't tow him because he's too big or too far, you should wait for help to arrive. Never leave them stranded.

Make sure you don't make the situation worse. It they are too much for you to handle safely, if the weather is too bad, if you don't have the fuel to get both boats back safely, or any other reason you don't feel safe towing, then call for help and standby.

The USCG or local water cop will be glad if you call them. Most of the time they won't tow anymore. But they will make sure a towing company is notified, the towing companies will tow you even if you're not a member. But it will hurt your wallet.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:14 pm

I have read & been told many things on this. Let me first say, and I don't know the law completely, but you MUST give assistance short of putting you life (and your passages) in a "life" threating situation. You can call Seatow, U.S.C.G. and stay with them until they arrive if you don't want to tow them.

If you do tow , it is very easy to make bridle to split the load between your stern cleats. This will balance the load to your boat. I carry two 50' 1/2" lines if I need to tow OR be towed in. Plus 4 or 5 25' dock lines. Myslef, I would not be better that headway speed in tow. I would also use a small fender on the bridal, so it will not sink and wrap up in your prop.

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

I just realized you have the newer model with the extended swim platform...that would make connecting to the stern ties pretty tough and dangerous in the waves....sounds like the cleats is your only option even though they say to not use cleats for towing. Mine are easily accessed since I don't have the extension.

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll definitely get a tow rope made up. I just can't believe that people don't carry even a handheld VHF.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:32 am

I never tow. There's just too much risk involved. To me, my passengers, my boat (and the time I'd lose having to get it fixed) and then the same of the other boat.

You definitely can't ignore people that need help, but there are limits to what I'm willing to do as a result of someone else's STUPIDITY. It's one thing to have an accident like hitting a submerged obstacle, it's another thing to screw up and then be totally unprepared.

In that situation I might have been inclined to help take the passengers to the nearest safe shore. This puts you at risk, but not as much as would leaving them on the disabled vessel and trying to tow it. Note I said nearest safe shore, not all the way back to their cars or somewhere THEY want to go. The point is SAFETY, not convenience. Let their burden be put back on the captain that screwed them, not you. With the passengers off I'd then help the captain get the boat stabilized long enough to have a towing service come get him.

Absolutely no way you want to tow a boat with anything other than it's captain and maybe one other able and COOPERATIVE assistant. As in, someone that will listen when YOU (doing the towing) tell them what to do.

Yeah, in lots of situations towing can be done safely. It's the one wrong time that you can't predict that makes it something I'm a lot more comfortable leaving to equipped, insured and experienced pros.

BartsPlace · **Posted:** Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:20 pm

I actually enjoy helping others out. Often I will change my course just to check out a boat that may be in trouble. Then again, I feel like I'm on a mission, of sorts, to help people understand how great boating can be. And cussing at a failed boat can destroy that pretty quick - for you and all your riders.

Sometimes, a day, or even a weekend, can still be salvaged with timely help from another boater.

On average, I tow one-or-two bowriders and the same number of PWCs back to the marina each season. And, I probably jump start one-or-two dead battery boaters (usually at the dock or floating aimlessly in the marina) each year. I hope that I'm smarter than them, or do better maintenance than them, or have better luck than them. Sometimes it's just some weird fluke that we can't explain or solve at that very moment.

Anyway, I feel like I'm buying karma or goodwill every time I stop to help someone else. Hopefully, I can spend that saved capital when I'm (heaven forbid) in need some day. That said, it's a personal decision. I completely respect those who prefer not to tow, but instead help in other ways.

Take care!

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:39 pm

There's nothing wrong with helping others out. Towing a several thousand pound vessel without being insured or trained for it, however, goes well beyond simple 'helping out'.

I don't buy into the notion of gaining karma by propping up idiots. It's one thing to help those truly stuck by accident. But way too often it's just plain stupidity that gets them in their mess. Let them pay with their wallets and not on the kind (and free) sympathy of others. This is a pay-to-play sport. You do them no favors helping them for free. All they learn is someone else will bail them out for being stupid.

Don't think for one nanosecond they wouldn't sue you into oblivion if something went wrong. You have no idea what crappy conditions might exist in their boat, like weak fiberglass under the cleats (or even ones neglected so long they've corroded to dust underneath). One good pull and that cleat will snap loose like some sort of medieval weapon. Even if you were found innocent it'd still cost you time, aggravation and lawyers fees defending yourself. Meanwhile your insurance company would drop you like a hot potato for engaging in actions quite a few policies specifically exempt.

Yeah, it seems like a feel good idea, until it's not. Then their stupidity becomes your nightmare. No thanks.

Wet Doggg · **Joined:** Fri May 19, 2006 11:15 am **Posts:** 682

I will not pass someone up that is in trouble on the lake. But here is my "rule" I try to go by. If you are on Muskegon Lake (inland lake our marina is located on) I will tow you. If you are out in Lake Michigan I am going to stand by making sure you and your guests are safe but will call Tow Boat US for you. I am not going to take a chance towing you through the channel with how busy it get at times.

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Ever need to tow someone in?

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