Happened last Sunday on Grapevine. Dark:30 and not another boat seen or heard anywhere. O/B wouldn't start. Used TM until batteries crashed. Boat policy from Geico covers first $250 for towing. Called them and spent over 30 minutes on phone as they contacted FD. Got motor to start before Geico ever confirmed help was on the way. We were able to get off the water without any other problems.

Has it happened to you? Who did you call?
Any idea what cost is if FD has to come? I know $250 ain't gettin it done. Better off to call FD directly?
Is there someone else to call?

I think that it is pretty expensive to call out someone for a tow. If I'm not mistaken much more than $250. There is something out there that you can get for a monthly fee that want bad for free tows

Hey Bobby,
I know you're right about being way more than $250 - especially if it's the fire department!
Just curious if guys have had to call someone and what it ended up costing?

You cannot ever have to many friends in this world , but I always try to stay close to the trailer the latter in the day it gets.

BoatUS.com has a $72 a year plan.

what was wrong,..??

I have Game Warden phone numbers,...and several lake neighbors, and a couple of guides...

Jim Sr:

Not sure what happened yet. fuel lines have some pin holes will replace them and give it another try. Have had boat a little more than a year and only failed to start twice. Had same thing happen almost exactly a year ago under same temps/circumstances. Launch in afternoon and one short run. Fished for less than 2 hours and no start. Ran at home on muffs both times. Didn�t change a thing a year ago and had zero troubles til this week

I�d be real tempted to post here. Certainly someone would do it for less than $200...

I make a simple list and run a copy for my family. It takes about an hour of your time to develop such a list for your next trip. When you are old, you and your family will feel much safer if you take the time to develop the list. These are the things on the list in case of an emergency and I do not show up back at home and there is no cell service on the water.
- Hopefully I can use the trolling motor to get out to a main lake point.
- I carry the equipment in the boat to build a large fire on the shoreline which is a signal fire.
- The list has the following phone numbers:
Game Warden for the area - Marinas - Two Guides - Lake Side Stores - Late Night Restaurant - State Park Emergency Number if there is one.
- Some of these contacts will know other numbers and people that may be able to help get you off the water. Add those numbers to the list also.
- If you really want to be prepared for the worst situation then call all your contacts the day before your trip and just ask the "What If Questions".

Fire Department is probably free

People call them all the time, to shut off their water lines, get a person out of a bathtub, etc.

I doubt the fire dept would come out if you are not in immediate danger.

I would just call a friend with a boat to come give me a tow. or heck, many have posted on here and got tows back in.

If I couldn't make it back with a paddle or just stay out:

a) Free towing.
b) I've got a few locals I could probably call.
c) I'd call our GW buddies and see if they could help.

All depending on the situation of course.

Have a Float Plan set up just in case stuff like this MAY happen. VHF radios are a God Send..