Tow boat grounded me

[Pete17844]

I'm interested in opinions on how ticked or not I should be at a tow boat operator. Our engine overheated yesterday. I'm pretty confident it's the impeller and although I have two spares on board, the head of one of the screws stripped trying to open the pump. With a 4 knot outbound current on the Housatonic and winds dead ahead up the channel, I had to call a tow.

The tow up went as planned, but when we arrived at our marina entrance the operator attempted to cut engines and tie up on our beam. Both current and wind immediately pushed us toward the shore and he barely missed wrecking us both on the rocks.

However as soon as he started in we quickly realized his boat couldn't maneuver and we (fortunately considering the rocks to starboard) hit the sandy bottom to the port side of the entrance.

I had to start our engine and with him back us off, untie him and with alarms blaring, pull her in and dock her under our own power. I then simply received a bill and off he went.

Don't get me wrong, I couldn't have made it up the river without the tow, but shouldn't a tow service be better than that? There was no water or compression marks on the keel bolts but should I have her hauled to check anyway?

Pete

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

what did you sign?

most towing contracts (invoices) stipulate that you indemnify the towing company. The answers you will receive here are solely a matter of opinion absent any written contract.
Considering you imply no damage was done and considering damage would likely have resulted had they not done the tow, what would you expect from them in the way of compensation?

 

[Pete17844]

Unclear

I'm not sure I'm after any compensation from the tow. This was more for my edification being my first (and hopefully last) experience with a tow group. The couple we were with are avid boaters and felt the guy left much to be desired. They recommended I have her hauled asap to check for what I can't see with her in the water.

Personally I was pretty happy to back in my slip, everyone ok and with the same amount of freeboard showing as when I left. Considering I'm relatively new to this size of boat and an "ignorance is bliss" approach can get expensive, a solicitation to the experts seemed like prudent move. My apologies if my post was inappropriate.

 

[Mickey G.]

Which Tow Service Did You Use

Unfortunately I have had to use TowBoatUS three times in the past two years each for different problems.

One of the best $113.00 I have spent was for unlimited towing insurance with BoatUS.

Twice I needed tows back to the marina and once only for a jump start. All three times I found the captain of the tow boat to be exceptionally knowledgeable and well trained. I couldn't be happier with the service I received.

If you just called anyone for a tow you really don't know the training that they have had nor do you have any idea of thier knowledge of the waters where you are located. Where you were soft-grounded in sand you most likely don't have a structual damage issue and with the season just about ended I would wait to your winter haul out to check for any damage.

What you could do is to hire a diver to check out your keel. When I had my soft grounding all it did was to scrape the barnicals off the keel.

 

[Pete17844]

TowBoatUS

We called TowBoatUS as well. It was apparently a very busy weekend and they had noone close. To their credit, the dispatcher spent a good two hours searching and found another service "Affordable Boat Tow" that could do it. I did inquire about skill level and according to the dispatcher the owner used to work for TowBoatUS and then started their own shop which is the only reason TowBoatUS would agree to the dispatch. The captain who came out however only works for the owner so it's tough to say what his prior experience was.

My wife had a similar opinion, "well at least you won't have to scrape the barnacles off this year..." She's all heart...

I'll be signing up with TowBoatUS next year for certain.

 

[Paul Akers]

Any grounding...

...should be checked, no matter what, and it should be the cost of thr tow company!