powerfish Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 Hello everybody, I was just pondering the thought of a boat towing, on the water mech. retreval type of service. Does anybody do this where they live or know of anyone that has a busniess like this? This would be on a river/man made reservoir thats about fifty+ miles in length. I have broke down before and had no where to turn and would have paid good money to get me and my boat back to the dock. Just thinking. Any input will be appreciated. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User flechero Posted January 2, 2006 Super User Share Posted January 2, 2006 Never seen a business like that... I've towed a lot of people in over the years and been towed in once myself. We just stop to help out of courtesy. If there aren't other boats/fisherman out to help, and you have a cell phone you can call a game warden, or sherrif's dept or fire dept, all have boats and will assist when needed. Just be sure you carry a suitable tow rope in your boat, it's a lot easier to flag down a passer by than to describe your location to a dispatcher. As far as a business, I bet the insurance requirements would be high and you'd probably need a different boat to get insured for towing... Your best bet is to make a few friends out there and all exchange numbers in case one of you is ever stranded. That is what we do, if there are no other boats out to flag down, get the cell phone out and call a friend to come get you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedar1 Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 On lake Erie we buy " tow in insurance." It's about 50 bucks a year and you get 3 tow ins of unlimited miles ( There are different plans). If you break down out there you better have it or it will cost a ton of money to get towed in. A buddy of mine got towed 17 miles at the cost of 750 bucks and that was about 10 years ago. He was lucky in that his insurance co. backed him because they considered it a life or death emergency to be broke that far out, buy he still had to pay up front or they wont bring you in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team_Dougherty Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 Here are two national tow companies that offer franchise opritunities. http://www.seatow.com/opportunities/index.html http://www.boatus.com/towing/guide/some.asp Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preach4bass Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 Seatow is a big business down around the coast (I live in NC). All of my buddies who saltwater fish are members, but one of them went out with a guy last year and the boat broke down. Result: A tow bill over a thousand dollars But, a thousand bucks is nothing compared to being left for shark bait. The tow-boats get paid by the hour if you aren't a member. Their timeclock starts from the time they leave till the time they get you back in. AND THEY DON'T DRIVE FAST! I've never heard of a tow service on a lake or river. Friends are a lot better than towing services. I've been blessed enough that I haven't needed to be towed in YET, but I've towed in other folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBR Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Some lakes have tow services but I would guess most don't. Bigger lakes with heavier traffic tend to have the service. Here in NH you must stop and render assistance to boaters in distress unless it would put your vessel in danger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerfish Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 Thanks for all the input, I will consider all your advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User cart7t Posted January 5, 2006 Super User Share Posted January 5, 2006 There's plenty of towing services available for the Saltwater boys but I've never heard of anything for freshwater. Try contacting marina's on the lake you're at. I'm sure at least one would be happy to take your $$ to drag your broken down butt in. You'll probably have to contact them on the lake with a cell phone or get their VHF radio freq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.