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Towing Perfectly Good Yachts

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by SeaLion, Nov 16, 2013.

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  1. SeaLion, Nov 16, 2013
    #1
    SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

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    I have noticed that large yachts often come into the Ft Lauderdale inlet then get towed up the Intracoastal. I've also seen them where they get towed out in front of the port then proceed under their own power.

    Is it easier/less risky for 50+ meter yachts to be towed for some reason?
  2. AMG, Nov 16, 2013
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    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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  3. Capt J, Nov 16, 2013
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    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Less risky, and some insurance companies require it. Also the liability is on the tow company and not the yachts insurance. A tug on the front and back is a lot more maneuverable than the yacht under it's own power.
  4. SeaLion, Nov 16, 2013
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    SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

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    I am impressed at how well the 2 tugs handle the yachts. I never would have guessed the insurance angle, but it does make sense.
  5. ArcanisX, Nov 26, 2013
    #5
    ArcanisX

    ArcanisX Senior Member

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    Keep in mind many Capitans influence a lot of these decisions, and what good would be a dude who doesn't like to idly drink martini while "his" job is being done? :D:D:D

    (P.S. Not intended as offense, it does make a lot of sense, as said above.)
  6. Capt J, Nov 26, 2013
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    It's not that expensive to have a yacht towed up the river. $500-1000 each way. For a captain that has never navigated it and is not familiar with it, it's very cheap insurance. The river is hard to run in anything over 65' when you're not familiar with what the locals call each area (Tarpon Bend, The Girls School, The Wiggles, Tip of Florida) and if you're in a 100' and unknowingly come up on a 150' that's being towed in the other direction, well you can have serious problems and put both boats in peril. Also when you get to 3rd avenue bridge and Andrews Avenue bridge, there is very little wiggle room with the current ripping and the railroad bridge down and boats stacked up waiting for it to open.
  7. Belle, Nov 26, 2013
    #7
    Belle

    Belle Member

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    Love the river but not with a big boat. Even 44' is big for it. More like 30' is good. I like to go to Riverwalk. Well, we actually have an office near there so like it. But the marinas back up in there are a pain to get to. That's like the marina that was for sale and I guess still is right beside Bill Keith Preserve Park, sort of just before and across from LMC. They talked about fancy and 110 foot slips or something like that when they had all the fancy plans. What a pain to get in and out of. We went in with a 63' and it was bad enough. The guys operating the tugs I've seen doing it have really been good. I mean I saw one day in like super wind and no way that boat would have made it without them.
  8. CaptGDunz, Nov 26, 2013
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    CaptGDunz

    CaptGDunz Member

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    I've been up and down the new river a "few" times. I recently ran a 101' boat down bound from Roscioli and didn't feel there was anything that would make me feel like I should have been towed. I was also on a sea trial of a 125 for and with a customer and it was towed from Marina Bay. The Captain and Broker explained towing was well worth the expense and preferred by the insurance company which I fully understood and agreed with. The towing guys that do that are very good and I was impressed!
  9. NYCAP123, Nov 27, 2013
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    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I'll bet you were all over your radio to make sure you didn't eun into the Jungle Queen or another yacht coming upriver as you rounded Little Florida. With the current that runs down that river, it's not like you're going to hang back while the other comes through, nor gp around the bend together. Yep, towing makes a lot of sense. I also have to wonder if there isn't some city ordinence requiring it above a certain length. Doubt a collision on the river would help tourism.
  10. Capt J, Nov 27, 2013
    #10
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    No Ordinance. I ran a 103' Broward up and down the river many years ago and it didn't have a thruster or anything. However, I have seen some other captains that would've crashed into me numerous times on other boats, had I not gotten out of their way. I saw one yahoo on a 100' canoe stern sailboat with twins, go through the bridge backwards in reverse........I had everything I could do to stay out of his way.
  11. NYCAP123, Nov 27, 2013
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    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Been up that river literally thousands of times. Know exactly what you mean. My wife once lost her steering in a 30' OB right below the bridge in town where the yachts dock on both sides. The girl made me proud. She spun that boat around and around using just the gas until she could spin it into the wall right between the bow of one yacht and the stern of another. You wouldn't have wanted to be coming down river in a 100'+ at that moment.:eek:
  12. Capt Bill11, Nov 27, 2013
    #12
    Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    Anything over about 120' it just makes good sense to get towed. As to the current, I just try to time my transits at slack tide or with the current flowing against me for more control.