Just call me Tow-Mater...

Post by **rocket** » July 24th, 2007, 10:33 pm

I launched the Pathfinder at the Fort to run her before our family trip to St. Augustine. Blow all the cobwebs out and such

.
I was getting near the light house, stretching her legs around 50mph or so when I notice a pontoon boat just off the channel with a dive flag up. My first thought was what a dumb place to scallop. Looked like they were grounded on a visible oyster bar. Then the folks started to wave me down, so I came off plane.
I eased up to a group of four ederly folks, they told me they lost their motor, so I thought they had just run in to motor problems.
After I threw them a line, and started towing them, I asked what they thought was wrong with the motor. They told me they lost their motor...it had fallen off

. Now I understand. Never heard of that one before.
After a near two hour tow back to the fort, I got them back to land and inspected the problem. The motor was hanging off the back. The motor was completely submerged, barely hanging on. The transom was bolted to a tray/plate that bolts to the underside of the boat. The back two bolts had sheared or worked loose. Hence the tray/plate just gave way, and sagged under the weight of the motor, being held on by the front two bolts.
After an attempt or two to get them on their trailer (with some help from some nice folks at the ramp) they were on their way back to Havana.
If you've ever seen how high a pontoon boat rides on a trailer, imagine the foot of the motor only being around 8 inches off the ground. That's how far it was hanging down. They were insistant on getting it home, instead of taking it to a mechanic. I hope they made it.
Very nice folks, and they offered to compensate me, but no way I was taking their money. Made for an extra long work day but I was just happy to get them back to land safe.

Post by **BAD BEHAVIOR** » July 24th, 2007, 10:42 pm

KUDOS TO YA HOSS!! I hope the fish Gods smile on you for a long time! Alot of folks would have run them by but you did a good thing. My hats off to you. What size motor on your pathfinder and how long is it??

Post by **birddog** » July 25th, 2007, 6:27 am

Good man.

Post by **MudDucker** » July 25th, 2007, 7:06 am

njt>:thumbup:

Post by **Chalk** » July 25th, 2007, 7:12 am

Post by **Reel Cowboy** » July 25th, 2007, 7:50 am

Good deal, glad there are still some folks out there willing to help others.

Post by **rocket** » July 25th, 2007, 8:59 am

Thanks fellas. These folks were all in their 70's, and I'm just glad they're ok. I must admit on the long ride I caught myself day dreaming and clipped a bouy marker with their boat.

Hat's off to sea-tow and Boat US. Just a little wind yesterday, and that motor hanging so low, like a rudder, made for a difficult tow. I can only imagine what it would have been like from 30 miles off shore in 4'ers.

BAD BEHAVIOR wrote:What size motor on your pathfinder and how long is it??

22' with a 200 Yammie

Post by **Dubble Trubble** » July 25th, 2007, 9:10 am

I know what that towing is like. I hauled in a 25 footer from 20 miles out once with my 19 foot CC in about 3 ft seas....(slow rollers)

3 1/2 hours at 6 mph. My fuel gauge was reading empty at the bird rack at anky. We pulled up to the landing on fumes and a prayer.....

Next time, I will wait by until Seatow arrives......

Was thanked, but never offered a penny for fuel, or for the 20 dollar ski rope I ruined.....

Like they said, may the fish gods watch over you....Mr. Tow Mater

Dubble

Post by **Sir reel** » July 25th, 2007, 9:19 am

Well Done Rocket!

Soccerdad · Post by **Soccerdad** » July 25th, 2007, 12:22 pm

I would like to publicly thank Dubble for including the Tow Mater photo in his reply.

In my opinion this saves us from 2 things:
1) I was concerned that we were switching from English to Latin as the official forum language (OH God, not the official langauge thread again

2) Mater in Latin would have to be translated as 'mutha' .. and Rocket (especially after his good deed for the day) .. should not become Tow-Mutha. Or should he?

Post by **reel therapy** » July 25th, 2007, 1:33 pm

Nice job.

My wife, three kids, and I passed you (and waved) in the river as you were towing the pontoon

We were heading out for our first scalloping adventure.

Post by **rocket** » July 25th, 2007, 1:57 pm

reel therapy wrote:Nice job.

My wife, three kids, and I passed you (and waved) in the river as you were towing the pontoon We were heading out for our first scalloping adventure.

Which boat were you in?

Post by **reel therapy** » July 25th, 2007, 2:46 pm

rocket wrote:
reel therapy wrote:Nice job.

My wife, three kids, and I passed you (and waved) in the river as you were towing the pontoon We were heading out for our first scalloping adventure.
Which boat were you in?

17' Key West. We passed you about halfway between the fort and the mouth.

DuctTapeKing · Post by **DuctTapeKing** » July 25th, 2007, 4:15 pm

Hey Noel. I'm not sure you saw my last post about your trip to St. Augustine. Call me if you want to head down an hour or so to fish mosquito lagoon. I'll be up in Gawja that week but may be able to provide some info. If ya don't call have a great trip. Tight Lines ~~Dillon~~ (407) 620-8133

Post by **bman** » July 25th, 2007, 4:48 pm

Good of you to help them out--- Been there before!