If you've never had to call for a towboat, you may be in for a rude awakening. I joined Boat US over a year ago as I thought a little towing insurance might be prudent. The base coverage was for up to $150 per incident (as I recall, the price was approx $30?). Having sailed for 7 years without ever having to call them, I thought this was sufficient. Last fall I needed a tow for my 23-foot powerboat and the ordeal lasted an hour and a half and the towboat driver informed me I had just enough to cover it. I immediately upped the coverage to $500 (I think the rate was $50), which I again thought should be more than enough for anything I might encounter. This past Saturday, we went out for an afternoon sail and upon returning through the (currently unmarked) channel, we ran aground. Just when my brain was saying, “you’re going a little fast considering the channel markers had not been put out yet,” the boat came to an abrupt stop. Thinking I was in the middle and had encountered a "little hump", I indulged the iron brute, thinking 20 horses should be able to pull us through. I tried spinning the boat, which it wouldn't do. I tried hanging out on a trapeze. I tried raising a sail. I tried kedging off an anchor (just managed to get the anchor stuck on the second try). Of course the last thing I tried was to back up which might have worked if I had not been going fast and/or had not tried to bull my way through. The kicker to all this was I was a mere 20 yards from the marina, and only a couple of feet out of the channel. Rather than be patient and wait for the tide, I decided to take advantage of my recently upgraded Boat US membership. They responded immediately to my radio hail and told me help would arrive in 25 minutes. The towboat arrived as promised and within 15 minutes they had us and our anchor free.....did I say the word free? I can't believe I could use that word after this ordeal! I was expecting this little rescue to be free knowing I was covered for up to $500. There was no way a fifteen minute pull out of the mud could cost that much...right???? Wrong!! The very pleasant fellow explained their rate system ($150 per hour from the time they leave port to the anticipated time of return, + $10 per foot for un-grounding) as he handed me the bill for $517.00!!!!! Fortunately my share was only the $17 and Boat US got stung for the rest. Think I'll forget about my next boat being a sailboat and buy a Tow Boat!! Don Bodemann PS: Oh yes, the unlimited coverage, which as of today is what I will always have, is $94 and worth every penny.
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A couple ideas that have worked for me
Good thing you only had to cough up $17. Hopefully there was no damage to the keel, rudder or engine. Maybe if you had tried a hard 180 degree turn instead of forging ahead you might not have gotten stuck. The water was deep enough right behind you. Getting weight (crew) off the boat or right out on the bow can also help free the keel. The trick is to do it quickly before the boat gets really stuck. BTW, heeling hard doesn't work for me either (wing keel digs in deeper). Peter H23 "Raven"
Good thing you only had to cough up $17. Hopefully there was no damage to the keel, rudder or engine. Maybe if you had tried a hard 180 degree turn instead of forging ahead you might not have gotten stuck. The water was deep enough right behind you. Getting weight (crew) off the boat or right out on the bow can also help free the keel. The trick is to do it quickly before the boat gets really stuck. BTW, heeling hard doesn't work for me either (wing keel digs in deeper). Peter H23 "Raven"
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Joel Langdon
Check your policy
Many boat insurance policies also have a built in $500 towing coverage...you may want to check yours. Mine does, (State Farm) but I also have Boat U.S. unlimited...well worth it.
Many boat insurance policies also have a built in $500 towing coverage...you may want to check yours. Mine does, (State Farm) but I also have Boat U.S. unlimited...well worth it.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Good reminder for the season
I have the basic insurance but with anticipated low river levels for the summer, I think I'll upgrade! Perhaps before having them come out, it would be wise to ask their rates & make sure insurance will cover it. UGH! LaDonna
I have the basic insurance but with anticipated low river levels for the summer, I think I'll upgrade! Perhaps before having them come out, it would be wise to ask their rates & make sure insurance will cover it. UGH! LaDonna
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John K Kudera
Don, You have been LUCKY
Hi Don, As a fellow Barnegat sailor, I paid the $500 six years ago,----checked out those small bumps just North of Tice's Shoal, sure those guys are high priced, but I am glad they are there, they pulled us into the Forked River State Marina last year, engine filters jammed full of the black crud. Good Sailing! John sv Fifty Fifty H34
Hi Don, As a fellow Barnegat sailor, I paid the $500 six years ago,----checked out those small bumps just North of Tice's Shoal, sure those guys are high priced, but I am glad they are there, they pulled us into the Forked River State Marina last year, engine filters jammed full of the black crud. Good Sailing! John sv Fifty Fifty H34
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Jim McCue
Got stuck about 10 yrs ago
On sandbar running north from the south side entrance to Silver Bay -part of north Barnegat Bay. It cost me abo,ut $350 for 20 second 8 foot tug. Oh and its extra 2% if you use credit card. My policy covered most of it - but not the extra 2%. Keep a check handy. Your hull policy may have a $500 coverage clause- check it. I'll keep your warning about Tice in mind. JIM MCCUE s/v Safeharbor
On sandbar running north from the south side entrance to Silver Bay -part of north Barnegat Bay. It cost me abo,ut $350 for 20 second 8 foot tug. Oh and its extra 2% if you use credit card. My policy covered most of it - but not the extra 2%. Keep a check handy. Your hull policy may have a $500 coverage clause- check it. I'll keep your warning about Tice in mind. JIM MCCUE s/v Safeharbor
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Jim McCue
Another trick
Another trick to try is to go into reverse and have your crew go forward and spring on their toes briskly- inching your way out. J. McCue
Another trick to try is to go into reverse and have your crew go forward and spring on their toes briskly- inching your way out. J. McCue
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Walt
Tow verses Salvage
I read an article a couple of months ago telling a story about a boat on the rocks that called a tow service. Instead of charging for the tow service the towing service claimed salvage and got thousands of dollars. The theme was that one should have a clear understanding of how the company was going to be compensated. You must know that they know clearly how they are going to be paid before you accept a line. I could not find this story in the archived here so it must have been on the C27 list server. I do not know how to work the server for archives but maybe some of you might have saved it. It would really fit on this thread.
I read an article a couple of months ago telling a story about a boat on the rocks that called a tow service. Instead of charging for the tow service the towing service claimed salvage and got thousands of dollars. The theme was that one should have a clear understanding of how the company was going to be compensated. You must know that they know clearly how they are going to be paid before you accept a line. I could not find this story in the archived here so it must have been on the C27 list server. I do not know how to work the server for archives but maybe some of you might have saved it. It would really fit on this thread.
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paul
What ever happend to?
What ever happend to common courtesy of fellow boaters helping and pulling each other off sandbars? I seem to remember growing up that boaters offered to help each other out-saves us from the tow boats!
What ever happend to common courtesy of fellow boaters helping and pulling each other off sandbars? I seem to remember growing up that boaters offered to help each other out-saves us from the tow boats!
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Bill Coxe
The Good Guys are still out there
as my fiancee and I found out on our next-to-the-last sail last October. Blustery, working jib alone, and waited too long to turn South out of the Mystic River. We slid to a stop (6.5 knots the last time I had a chance to look) and our Oday 22 Closure was waiting for the tide. A large wooden fishing boat came slowly out of nowhere, tossed us a line and after we had lowered the ob and started it, slowly pulled us off. After we tossed his line back and tried to offer something, which he refused, he only said "Don't go forward!" Then he and his boatload of sons, daughters, friends and grandchilden headed off. "Star", out of Noank, was the boat and I was so grateful. I also found out that this was the girl for me, becuase after we went aground, she asked me what she should do and I told her I didn't know and she didn't jump ship. Good day in many ways. See you on the water as soon as I have my new (to me) Oday 28 up and running. Bill
as my fiancee and I found out on our next-to-the-last sail last October. Blustery, working jib alone, and waited too long to turn South out of the Mystic River. We slid to a stop (6.5 knots the last time I had a chance to look) and our Oday 22 Closure was waiting for the tide. A large wooden fishing boat came slowly out of nowhere, tossed us a line and after we had lowered the ob and started it, slowly pulled us off. After we tossed his line back and tried to offer something, which he refused, he only said "Don't go forward!" Then he and his boatload of sons, daughters, friends and grandchilden headed off. "Star", out of Noank, was the boat and I was so grateful. I also found out that this was the girl for me, becuase after we went aground, she asked me what she should do and I told her I didn't know and she didn't jump ship. Good day in many ways. See you on the water as soon as I have my new (to me) Oday 28 up and running. Bill
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Yup, good guys are everywhere
I won't go into details (cuz I don't want to embarrass myself too badly) but I had an engine problem once and a passing speedboat generously towed me back to my slip. I was right outside of the marina so it wasn't far but I was VERY thankful. I bought them a 6 pack for their efforts but more than that was the kindness they showed. I try to keep the cycle going by helping anyone I can. Almost saved a couple of sinking jetskiiers once but luckily some powerboaters came to their aid first. Rob towed a couple of jetskiiers who ran out of gas on a cold day. Do what you can for others cuz it'll come back to you tenfold! LaDonna
I won't go into details (cuz I don't want to embarrass myself too badly) but I had an engine problem once and a passing speedboat generously towed me back to my slip. I was right outside of the marina so it wasn't far but I was VERY thankful. I bought them a 6 pack for their efforts but more than that was the kindness they showed. I try to keep the cycle going by helping anyone I can. Almost saved a couple of sinking jetskiiers once but luckily some powerboaters came to their aid first. Rob towed a couple of jetskiiers who ran out of gas on a cold day. Do what you can for others cuz it'll come back to you tenfold! LaDonna
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