me and a friend helped tow a ski boat which had somehow managed to get their rope totally tied up and around his prop. he ended up giving us like 80 bucks, even though we refused he insisted.

i will always stop and help to render any kind of aid. thats what i would want if i were in that situation.

Ran out of gas on conroe and ended up drifting far away out of site and there was nothing but stumps around. Luckily cell phone was working. Called the local police and they directed me to somebody and they came out to where i was and towed me back to the ramp. Dude had like a tug-boat and that was his business.

I think there is a club you can join for a fee and they will come tow you form most lakes....

I always stop to help a disabled boat...no question about it. Last fall we towed a cabin cruiser halfway up e.m. with a pontoon. Would he have returned the favor if it was me? Who knows...I have been broke down on Grapevine before with the cowling off and couldn't even get eye contact from ski boats. Even towed a jet ski in once. Just the right thing to do.

Pay it forward. Lend someone a hand when in distress.

If you fish on Lewisville I have seen Sea Tow out on the water. Don't know if they operate on any other area lakes. The number is 972-401-1700. Don't know what they charge. Hope no-one ever really needs 'em.......

I've always believed in helping boaters when broke down and I believe it always comes back to you.

There is no "requirement" under current Texas Law to stop and render or attempt to render aid/service to a stranded boater. Granted it is very thoughtful and just plain "the right thing to do" but it is not a requirement under law. I only post this because there are many laws in this State....knowing the truth is important.

Parks and Wildlife "Does" assist on Lake Bob Sandlin and Monticello. You can reach either a Game Warden or one of Our Patrolmen at the following numbers. It may take us a while to get there but we will come. We have breakdowns too and have been towed, so we understand.

No one carry's flares these days but it sure would help especially at night. Certainly, if we see one go up, we are going to try and located the source of it.

Titus County Sheriff's Office (903) 572-6641
Lake Bob Sandlin Lake Patrol (903) 466-1837

Good Fishin,

Wayne Minor, Chief of Law Enforcement, TCFWSD#1

I believe SeaTow works out of Palms Marina on Conroe.

I have been on both Lake Houston and Lake Conroe before, with the cowling off just screwing with the air/idle screws on the carbs and adjusting the low idle timing advance and had numerous folks stop and ask if I needed any help even though I was hunkered over and not waving my hands or anything. There are good folks on the water. I always made sure to stop what I was doing and thank them face to face instead of just glancing over my shoulder and saying "nah thanks" I also make sure to tell them I will pay that favor back if I ever see anyone in trouble. 3rd time ever on Lake Houston I had to pull a guy stranded dead center of the lake on a POS jetski. The guy went every bit of 320+ pounds, and the poor jetski looked like it was sinking when I got to him. Got his jet ski back to the dock and went on about my fishing.

I did not know you were required to stop. That is why I come here. Learn something new every day that helps me be a better sportsman.

Good topic, I have been towed once and towed several in trouble, I surely agree it is the right thing to do. The nice fisherman that gave me a tow when a relay switch stuck on my trim..keeping the outboard up and out of the water. He of course refused any payment ...but I did find he gladly accepted several fishing lures when I found out he hadnt caught anything and we had been slaying the sand bass..was eager to go try his luck again. I was just wondering after that since we obviously improvised the tow rope..what sort of rope and rig should you have in your boat to safely tow another boat or to be towed.Is it okay to tie the tow rope to your boat cleats? or should you attach it somewhere else...

the best thing to do in a tourney situation is to still stop and render aid, and call and let the tourney director know whats going on, i always have the tourney directors number in my phone

there is also a coast guard auxillary on hubbard at a marina by the power plant, but im not sure if they tow, heck i have never even seen them on the lake

Toatthrower, I have probably towed over a hundred or so. For what it's worth this is my thoughts.

We normally tow with a short rope from cleat to cleat, it arcs around the Motor with about 2' of clearance. Then I take a Tow rope with a loop in my end and tied to the Bow Eye hook. This method will slip side to side when you need to turn.

If you can adjust the the length right, it will let the "thier" bow ride up on your Wake and you can make a little better time (only slightly). In case your wondering when the rope is under a lot of tension, I have never had an eye hook break out of a boat and come after me. I dont recall a cleat ever giving up either.

If someone has a couple of boat fenders handy, you can tie along side and tow pretty well if your vessell is heavier than theirs. This is great in that you can slack the ropes as you take them up on their trailer.

With the Harness set up behind your motor, obviously one has to be careful not to foul the prop.

More than you wanted to know I am sure but thought I would chunk it out there.

Good Fishin,

Bo

GOOD INFO!!! I learned a little something today.

Thanks Bocephys, makes sense and I think I will make sure I have the rope to set that up...good idea not putting all the stress on just one of the cleats..I wasnt worried about the bow ring or hook but how much stress the cleats would take especially if you get some bounce on the waves...thanks for sharing your expertise and experience...