Hobie's Towing Service

It's like a broken record. The first stage is denial. "No thanks. I just ran out of gas and ripped out the starter cord, but I'll have it running in no time. Thanks anyway."

The second stage (usually within 2 minutes). "You can't tow this???"

Next comes desperation. "Well, if you think you can"

Fourth is appreciation. "Even though I didn't need it, thanks".

Finally there's embarrassment as we approach the launch area. It's the silent low profile with the hat pulled low hoping nobody notices that their failed gas engine just got towed in by a one sandwich engine!

But it's a lot of fun! With calm conditions and a small boat, we got up to a record 3.1 MPH on the way in. Turbofins rock!

... man thats gota hurt .............. the ego ...

_________________
Don't want to hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it


Oscar

One with his head down and the other hiding behind the first. Nice shot!

You should start charging. How many people do you tend to tow in each year?

Roadrunner

The Red Baron put decals on the fuselage for each plane he shot down; you have to start putting little power boat decals on your hull for each rescue & tow.

TDRILL, I don't pay that much attention, but would guess maybe 2 to 4 motorboats and a few kayaks. So far this year 2 boats and 2 kayaks and the season is still young! Sundays are usually good.

Yak, just notch the handle in my revolver is sufficient.

It's always good to carry a waterproof camera and a tow line just in case. You never know when a photo moment might come your way!

Last season on my local lake (Loch Lomond in the Santa Cruz, CA. mountains) I was heading in and came up on a guy in one of those tiny plastic "Craw-dad" boat. ( Its a single seater bout 6' long 4 maybe 5' wide 2 bows etc.) Well his battery died and he was using an ore to somewhat padle his way back and not making any headway that I could see.
He wasn't do to well personally either, (the lakes ranger was not out to assist) I pulled up along side and asked if he woule like some help.
He tossed me a line he had tied to his craft and off we went. I held his line in my right hand the whole time. Next time I decide to tow someone, I doing that differently. I towed him for about 300yds and it was a workout for me. That style of craft is a bardge, basically a floating brick! I was sweating pretty good when I got him to the dock.

Stock fins.

But I was happy to help him out!

Troy

P.S. I like the idea of hash marks or stickers to indicate "Tows"

T

I towed our 26ft 5000lb S2 from our slip to the boat launch for repair.

Well Done!
Don't forget to put in a claim for salvage rights...!
Or, at least a cold one out of their cooler.

Is that at Hodges?

What's the best location to tie a tow line to on a 2010 Hobie Oasis?
Seems to me tying to one the side handles or both would be best to avoid the tow line interferring with the rudder and the rudder should be able to correct the direction due to the pull on one side.

Thanks,
John

In my opinion, I wouldn't tie the tow rope to your kayak.
If anything went wrong, you want to free of the rope ASAP.
Last summer a freind & I, both with Revo 13s towed a 20ft speed boat with
5 passengers about 300 meters down river to their camp site.
We tied the middle of the rope to the front of the speed boat & holding a end each, towed the boat in a "v" formation. got lots of laughs from everyone at the caravan park.
4 Months previous, I rescued a jetski that was towing a inflatable tube and sucked up the towrope in the jet. I had the passenger on the tube jump on the jetski so a to reduce the drag, then towed them upstream about 200 meters.
(after they removed the rope, they did offer me a solo on the jetski, which I politely declined. at least they did offer.)

I agree. In addition to the safety factor, there are some other reasons you want to hold your line (this will not overpower your arm).

Hauling a 1000 to 4000 lb. load at typical tow speeds of 1 to 2 MPH, rudder control can be hard to maintain, especially in a crosswind or chop. Being able to tug on your tow line gives you enough momentary slack to accelerate briefly and redirect your heading.

Additionally, the tension on the line varies if there is a swell. Without an elastic joint in the line (ie: your shoulder) you could overstress your attachment point.

Finally, when you drop your tow off, you want to be able to release and pull off so you don't get crunched.

Clap Clap Clap! Way to go Roadrunner! While they may be a little embarrassed at first, you just earned the respect of a boat owner. Better yet, his association of a pedal boat to your heroics may yield his respect to all pedal boaters.