What happened to River Etiquette?

[Moabifam5]

So this weekend, my son took our Stoker from Pirates to the Havasu channel with his family and started back up the river.. Mile or so above the Shallows, boat quit. They took the cowling off for some time and started to paddle back towards the lake. Yes, my son on the bow of the boat, with a paddle..At least 10 boats went by and not one person stopped. At one point, a cat full of people coming down towards the lake actually went by and everyone waved WTF. My son called Boat US, they sent a tow boat from Havasu. As the Baot US pulled into view, 2 great familes stopped and asked if they needed help. Thank You, much appreciated! I am fortunate as I have been coming to the river since the early 60's and we have raised our family there. My Dad always preached to us about River Etiquette and I have towed more boats and helped many in these years. Is the new group operating 6 figure boats and blasting music none of us want hear and leaving trash everywhere the norm? I remember the days of hitch hiking ski rides on the parker strip for beers. Everyone was there to offer a hand. Sad state of affairs if this is what its coming to. I will continue to stress to my kids and now grand kids that River Etiquette should be alive and well, hopefully others will do as well. BTW, clogged fuelline cost my boy a $500 tow. Live and learn.

 

[bilz]

We have lost many hours helping people. We have also received. It's just what you do. They either weren't taught or just didn't learn.
We at the minimum have some extra snacks and drinks to leave for the stranded if needed.

 

[77charger]

No one wants to give a hand because it will waste their time. Sucks that’s the attitude though.

I have towed and been towed and would continue to help if needed.

 

[WYRD]

So this weekend, my son took our Stoker from Pirates to the Havasu channel with his family and started back up the river.. Mile or so above the Shallows, boat quit. They took the cowling off for some time and started to paddle back towards the lake. Yes, my son on the bow of the boat, with a paddle..At least 10 boats went by and not one person stopped. At one point, a cat full of people coming down towards the lake actually went by and everyone waved WTF. My son called Boat US, they sent a tow boat from Havasu. As the Baot US pulled into view, 2 great familes stopped and asked if they needed help. Thank You, much appreciated! I am fortunate as I have been coming to the river since the early 60's and we have raised our family there. My Dad always preached to us about River Etiquette and I have towed more boats and helped many in these years. Is the new group operating 6 figure boats and blasting music none of us want hear and leaving trash everywhere the norm? I remember the days of hitch hiking ski rides on the parker strip for beers. Everyone was there to offer a hand. Sad state of affairs if this is what its coming to. I will continue to stress to my kids and now grand kids that River Etiquette should be alive and well, hopefully others will do as well. BTW, clogged fuelline cost my boy a $500 tow. Live and learn.

If he was with his family you should have put his wife up on the bow of the boat with the paddle while he cracked a beer. Everybody would have stopped then, mark my words.

 

[Mikemo_SDS]

I pay $120 a year for SeaTow. I have had to use it 3 times. It is way worth it. I had to ask a boat in front of me in the channel to tow me to the Islander when my boat died and I was going to hit boats that were parked if he didn’t pull me out and I gave him $100 for his troubles.

I have towed people before. Not one of them had tow insurance. Three of them offered to pay me for towing them. I said save it and buy tow insurance. Everyone needs it sooner or later.

There is no excuse for asshats that leave trash.

As for the music, get a louder stereo or don’t park next to music you don’t like.

I try to stay away from the large crowds because of this. That’s why I don’t usually launch until 1pm and get off the water at about 8pm.

 

[Todd Mohr]

I've got 3 tows under my belt in the last year, hopefully what comes around goes around. I have the US Boats towing service, I got to use it this year at 10pm a few weeks ago, worth every penny.

 

[Your ad here]

I pay $120 a year for SeaTow. I have had to use it 3 times. It is way worth it. I had to ask a boat in front of me in the channel to tow me to the Islander when my boat died and I was going to hit boats that were parked if he didn’t pull me out and I gave him $100 for his troubles.

I have towed people before. Not one of them had tow insurance. Three of them offered to pay me for towing them. I said save it and buy tow insurance. Everyone needs it sooner or later.

There is no excuse for asshats that leave trash.

As for the music, get a louder stereo or don’t park next to music you don’t like.

This right here. Just get the tow membership and most cover beyond the water. Also the tow company will be fully insured.

 

[WYRD]

Funny story, many years back when I was out on the lake headed back to Cattail Cove. Me and a couple of my buds out on a guy trip noticed an older Sea Ray over in the reeds just a little past Copper Canyon. There was a group of young kids early twenties on the boat looking lost. I doubled back to check on them. Two guys and four girls. Guys look helpless and girls looked terrified. Come to find out their buddy that owned the boat got hooked up by the fuzz on a deuce pulling out of Copper Canyon. He got taken away and cops left all the rest of them behind. Only issue was, nobody knew how to operate the boat. Just a bunch of young kids out having fun. I asked them where they were going and chance would have it they were headed to Cattail Cove they were tent camping there. I told them I would give them a tow and by the look on their faces you would think if I was their savior Almighty.

As everybody started climbing on to my boat I said "whoa hold on guys. You don't know how boats work do you?"

They all looked at me like a deer in headlights.

" Well you see I'm going to hook on this tow rope to your bow eye" I continued," but somebody's got to stay behind here and steer the boat to make sure it tracks directly behind our boat"

which seemed to make sense to them so one guy stayed behind and as the other guy started climbing onto my boat I told him

" wait a minute looks like we might be overweight a little bit, I'm going to need you to stay back there too just to keep the weight down in the tow boat or else we could really mess stuff up."

He nodded and complied, so we threw them a couple of beers for the journey and set off to rescue them to Cattail Cove.

Cruising along at a very slow tow speed(for safety) , with the radio tunes up, drinks in hand, we slowly towed them across the lake and all the way to Cattail Cove while partying with their four hot chicks.
Poor guys ran out of beer about 10 minutes into the tow. But the girls never went empty-handed and they showed their gratitude by dancing along with the music occasionally giving the Glimpse of a mighty appreciative titty or two.

All the good old days when boater etiquette lived on.

 

[cofooter]

Get the tow service in Havasu, unfortunately this is the way it has become, below Havasu you have to rely on good people, seems more often than not people will ask if you need help on the river, I always do and tow to shore or nearest launch ramp at a minimum!! Karma will pay off one day if I need it .......

 

[riverroyal]

We call havasu 'glamis north' these days.

 

[Blue Oval]

Local Sheriff will call me if a local needs a tow. We are on the lake all summer long. Towed countless boats in. Yes , we have helped sailboats also. I do complain about how stupid and rude people are on the water these days though.

 

[crzy2bealive]

I always help when I can! But I’m towing you to the nearest ramp so you can call a Uber to take you to your truck / trailer and you can deal with the rest.

 

[MV Mike]

Sad to hear.
What broke??

 

[Moabifam5]

The lack of towboat is my bad. Sold our Placecraft a few weeks back and thought we would wait unitl winter so I did not re-up. This boat came up and litterally picked it up on Sat. Have had Boat us for at least 20 years. Lesson learned...

 

[Havaduner]

Since we were all talking about our delicate drives in the other thread. I will stop, and if you don't have a tow service, I'll tow you very S L O W L Y to the nearest ramp. If your trailer is somewhere else, I'll be happy to help get you or a buddy to that ramp.

 

[Havaduner]

The lack of towboat is my bad. Sold our Placecraft a few weeks back and thought we would wait unitl winter so I did not re-up. This boat came up and litterally picked it up on Sat. Have had Boat us for at least 20 years. Lesson learned...

So, a new to you Stoker? Post up some pics!!

 

[Blue Oval]

A Buddy called a couple years ago. Ran out of gas late on a Sunday night. Grabbed the 9ft RIB with the 4.5 merc. It was quicker to throw in the truck and go to a dead end and throw it in. A couple of gas cans and 10 gallons of gas. 38 Donzi sets at suck an angle the pick up of the pump wouldn’t suck it up. Had to tow with the RIB backwards to get the hunk of fiberglass moving. It was enough to get it started and 2 miles down the lake. Would have made a hilarious video. We got him home by sundown.

 

[floatn turd]

I once was towed to a beach......................by a fucking canoe!!

Not my proudest moment.

 

[Bpracing1127]

I have a friend I won’t tow anymore he doesn’t maintain his shit so it’s on him why it keeps failing.

 

[HBCraig]

So this weekend, my son took our Stoker from Pirates to the Havasu channel with his family and started back up the river.. Mile or so above the Shallows, boat quit. They took the cowling off for some time and started to paddle back towards the lake. Yes, my son on the bow of the boat, with a paddle..At least 10 boats went by and not one person stopped. At one point, a cat full of people coming down towards the lake actually went by and everyone waved WTF. My son called Boat US, they sent a tow boat from Havasu. As the Baot US pulled into view, 2 great familes stopped and asked if they needed help. Thank You, much appreciated! I am fortunate as I have been coming to the river since the early 60's and we have raised our family there. My Dad always preached to us about River Etiquette and I have towed more boats and helped many in these years. Is the new group operating 6 figure boats and blasting music none of us want hear and leaving trash everywhere the norm? I remember the days of hitch hiking ski rides on the parker strip for beers. Everyone was there to offer a hand. Sad state of affairs if this is what its coming to. I will continue to stress to my kids and now grand kids that River Etiquette should be alive and well, hopefully others will do as well. BTW, clogged fuelline cost my boy a $500 tow. Live and learn.

Last trip out i.sropped by 3 boats that I thought needed help. Luckily none did. I have towed numerous boats back. One with an infant. People suck

 

[Tank]

I’ve towed people. Rescued two on a turned over ski and towed it back to the renter a couple years ago. And towed this poor guy from mini gorge to topic a year or so ago. He was anchored right in the middle of the little gorge. Sun going down. I’m like, this dudes fucked. I slowed. What up? He says, give you $100 to tow me to topac. We throw a rope. His chick was NOT pleased. You can see it in the pic. lol. Dropped em off he tried to give me the 100 but didn’t take it.

Only time I’ve ever been towed was when I sucked a valve in my Baja. Buddy towed us back though. That’s the beautify of twins. Most time you’re gonna get home.

I did lose power in the gun in May right at the turn of the old sand bar. Drifting. Cool roll boater stopped and was getting ready to throw me a line when I got it fired up.

I don’t mind towing someone for a short distance from time to time but I can’t with the current set up. Load and idle on those blower motors won’t work. I hope I’m not put in the position to run past someone broke down. I’d still stop see if any on e needs a ride. Just can’t tow.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

People in general suck these days. Not just at the lake

 

[Your ad here]

How many of you guys would stop and tow the 19' rental boat?

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I think Covid money brought a whole new group to the lake, and common courtesy wasn’t in their vocabulary before so they don’t understand the boater’s etiquette.

Waving at each other has also died.

Not to mention following the damn rules.

 

[Jefftowz]

A few years ago found a boat with a Dad and some teenagers around Copper Canyon, stopped asked if they needed help, he asked me to them tow to Site 6, I tossed them a rope and creeped to 6, he then asked to go to a specific part of the docks, Got him there and he tossed my rope in the water and walked away…. Never again, next time you get a tow to the shore. People suck.

 

[RiverDave]

I always tow.. people that don’t are boatholes

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Numerous reasons : a lot of people are here for only a very short weekend vacation , a tow could take hours . A tow to the shortest distance ramp may be doable , but not 30 miles down the lake . I have tow insurance , why don’t you ? Like someone else said , a tow is not a substitute for maintenance , some people do drive to failure then scream the loudest . You might get sued . Some people are just assholes . A tow in a storm may sink both boats etc etc …

 

[Dannyo]

People also used to wave. Now they just fly by because you are going too slow. Times have changed and not for the better.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

(And I’m just poking fun buddy, you know this!) @OldSchoolBoats has an interesting outlook on this.

My view is different as where we boat a lot there are no services for tow and I was raised to always help. I’ve helped, and I’ve been helped. To this point it’s been the cheapest tax I’ve paid. I do have Boat US, and have used it.

 

[JFMFG]

We call havasu 'glamis north' these days.

School me on the glamis north comment?

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

(And I’m just poking fun buddy, you know this!) @OldSchoolBoats has an interesting outlook on this.

My view is different as where we boat a lot there are no services for tow and I was raised to always help. I’ve helped, and I’ve been helped. To this point it’s been the cheapest tax I’ve paid. I do have Boat US, and have used it.

Everyone knows my stance on this situation, but I don't always have a black heart for broke down boaters. We have stopped on multiple occasions for people with hatches up and floating. Always ask if they are OK and offer a tow to the nearest beach or to a location with cell service. Never have been taken up on the offer so.....

I just can't stand the people that post on RiverWhips saying that they "paid it forward" by towing someone from the gorge to Windsor. It's not only unsafe, but is not good for your boat.

 

[evantwheeler]

I ran out of fuel 150 or so yards from the Windsor launch ramp after a great day on the water with my parents who were in town from the PNW. This was desert storm weekend 2022, so there were lots of folks on the water. Literally not a SINGLE FUCKING SOUL stopped to ask if I needed help as I oared my way to the dock laying on the bow of the boat and then trailered my boat without power. I was beyond shocked there are that many shitheads in our community.

 

[lbhsbz]

I'll tow anyone....but aside from that, the river has changed. The values ain't the same as they were when I was a kid and used to love it. Seems the asshole bar has been raised significantly. I've been contemplating it for the last 5 years, but finally dumped the river this year. I miss playing in the boat, I miss the river, and I miss about 10 people out there....but I don't miss the others and I'm glad to be done with 'em.

Maybe we'll try it again some day...maybe we'll do something else. dunno, don't care right now.

 

[Your ad here]

Some of you guys get really worked up. Remember it's 2024. We have easy communication and towing services. If anything you should feel relief that there are towing services so you don't feel obligated to tear up your boat and take up your time to tow someone in that may just be a pain in the ass. Is that what you wanna do every time you are on the water or leave it to an insured service that a years membership cost less than a full tank of fuel? It is a nice when someone offers a tow but it's nothing to get worked up over if someone doesn't. The story is different if it's a serious deal. As for the wave, don't let it live in your head if someone doesn't wave back.

 

[El Rojo]

Where I boat everyone still waves and will help with a tow, gotta love the lower river…

 

[DWC]

I have a friend I won’t tow anymore he doesn’t maintain his shit so it’s on him why it keeps failing.

Went on a Glamis trip with a fairly large group. Most of them had known each other for a longgg time. One of the guys broke down the first trip. Everyone pitched in to help out. Happened again the next day. Wasn’t quite as friendly. Turns out they weren’t happy to be his maintenance plan. . Guess it’s been going on for years.

 

[EarpRider]

I'm confused you said two boats stopped to help, let's concentrate on the positive not the negative.
Good for the two boats that stopped!

 

[mash on it]

I've towed quite a few over the years, usually to the nearest launch ramp, and down river.

Once I towed a rental jet ski, up river, on plane. The two girls from the jet ski, in the back seats, were a little unnerved at a big block running 4000 rpm less than a foot away. And those headers put off an amazing amount of heat, even though they're water injected.
They couldn't wait to get to the rental place. I won't do that again.

One was an outboard, that didn't really know the river, but was fine following my wake 200 yards behind me. When I went to the beach I wanted, he continued on, for about an eighth mile, and found the rock bar. He acted like it was my fault. Towed him and his Russian bride to Lazy Harry's.

A couple of older ladies in a seadoo bote were about 20 miles from Katherines landing, with a dead battery. Borrowed some jumper cables from a houseboat across the lake, to trickle charge their battery. The owner knew it had charging issues, and usually charged it up the night before. She failed to do that. With a big block jet, I might have had enough fuel to tow them the 20 miles, but I sure wasn't ready to get off the water at noon, because of someone else's mistake. Charged it up, and sent them on their way.

Once an Olds jet sucked water, probably head gasket?
A flatty with an FE motor with a rod knock.
A Malibu without much of a rudder or prop.
There's been others, but those were the most memorable.

BTW, I've owned wreckers for years. I really don't want to work on my days off.

Dan'l

 

[Bajastu]

Shoot, I’ve towed other boats twice now just this year. I always tow to the but I’ve never needed it. I’m a stickler on my maintenance program to help prevent this.

 

[mothershipper]

All of the problems we have today are can be summed up by two words - shitty parenting

 

[Desert Whaler]

The first year I did the 'Lower River Run' I was nervous as shit on so many levels.
I think the smallest motor I saw before the start was a 200 . . . only about 3X what I had on the back.
I had never ran that stretch of river, and certainly never for that long . . . plus I was solo.
Before they blasted off, I thought I'd get a little head start in my little pea-shooter and take off a little early . . . LOL . . . within 2-3 minutes all I could see were rooster tails way off in the distance . . . then wakes, then faint bubble trails & then like just like that I was on my own !

I had taken 4 extra gallon of fuel, just in case since I didn't know the fueling situation along the way.

By the end of the day, I had a pretty good handle on how to read the water and was having a blast running the river !
Right towards sunset and just a couple miles down river of McIntyre where we started, I saw one of the boats floating , and they waved.
I looked around and didn't see anyone else, so I was like 'they're waving to me'!!!
Turns out they lost the hydraulics on their jackplate casuing the motor to slide all the way down, the extra drag made them burn a bunch of extra gas.

When i told them I had 4 extra gallons, they didn't believe me at first !

Then . . . . voila . . .

Sure makes you feel good to be able to help someone else out !
I totally would've towed them back . . . but it would've been a slow and long tow. This got them back up & running on ther own.

I'll ALWAYS help anyone out on the river if I can, as long as they aren't some drunken dickheads where it could turn out to be a liability, or my shit getting damaged.

Helping others out on the water is just the right thing to do.

 

[wfowahoo]

I run around the Needles area, always with hot rod outboards. Blown a couple engines running hard. Always try to stay up river of camp site so I can float home.

Dad told me 50 years ago.There two things you dont want out there. You dont want to break down and you dont want to find someone broke down.

 

[dirtslinger2]

When I got a bunch of water in my fuel this summer, and it wouldn't start, I was in the Moabi Channel parked next to the launch ramp.
My wife and I were by ourselves, and we tied a line to the front and rear of the boat, and tried to figure out how to get the damn thint out into the water, and around the dock, and onto the launch side of the dock. While I swam the boat, and my wife held the bow line to keep us in the right path, there was an entire family, with teenage boys sitting on the beach with their boat. Not one of them offered any help, nor did their Dad tell them to go help.
Once we got if over to the dock, we had to walk it out and around the dock, and then walk it onto the trailer, all while 4 boats that were launching, full of men, and friends just watched us. Never any sort of assistance, or anything.
I was pretty shocked, as they were hot rod boats. I expected some etiquette from them, but NOPE.

 

[ChrisV]

Broke down Sunday and didn’t expect anyone to help really.

Once I parked the boat at Windsor and walked to the front office, everyone that I saw pull their boat out is shit faced.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

As most know, the overwhelming majority of my boating is on Naci. There are no tow services there. Luckily we have a lot of friends around so there is typically always someone able to lend a hand. Even had it happen 2 weeks ago. Had to push rope the whole way back to my buddy's dock in his pontoon after we put bad gas in the boat (was told it was good and since it was pre-mixed, it was hard to tell how bad it was).

I have rarely ever boated anywhere with a tow service available on the lake so I will always assist whenever possible.

 

[rivermobster]

It disappeared when people started turning Ski flags into Swim flags.

Idiots.

 

[plaster dave]

If I drive by and you don’t try and wave me down I’m going to keep driving. It’s not my job to stop for every boat on the water.
But if you wave me down I’m there to help.

 

[CommanderLee]

I always try and help for a couple of reasons. First its just the right thing to do and second I hope that when I need it someone is there to help me. Oh and I always wave!

 

[Blue Oval]

A couple years ago we were out on our sunset cruise with the RIB. There was an empty kayak out in the lake. Pulled over to find the guy hanging on the channel marker drunk off his azz with no life jacket. Got him in the boat and towed his kayak up to the beach. I still have his letter thanking me, it is in my work desk. Could have easily just blew by.

 

[CLCookie]

People don't even wave to each other anymore, I wave to everyone and get ignored. Sad situation all around.