Any experience of breakdown assistance?

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HONEYMOMMY

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I found a sticker on the boat for RCR 24hr breakdown assistance. I have had a look at their website and thought I would post in here to see if anyone has any experience of them, or any others they could recommend.

Being newbies we thought this may be a good idea, just in case.

Over to you...... :D
 
had you thought of going on one of the various engine courses available ? It would be quicker to build up your working knowledge of the boat, rather than relying on a rescue company ?

There is also a very well recommended chap who does basic electrics as well - often quoted on the forum.... but his name escapes me at present.

Anyone around please ?
 
HONEYMOMMY said:
I found a sticker on the boat for RCR 24hr breakdown assistance. I have had a look at their website and thought I would post in here to see if anyone has any experience of them, or any others they could recommend.

Being newbies we thought this may be a good idea, just in case.

Over to you...... :D
Click to expand...

When I ran out of diesel on the way to an event Andy and Darren came out on Andy's boat and towed me to the BBQ....

BCC, the Fourth Emergency Service!

(Mind you, I have never been allowed to forget it!). :)
 
sarabande said:
had you thought of going on one of the various engine courses available ? It would be quicker to build up your working knowledge of the boat, rather than relying on a rescue company ?

There is also a very well recommended chap who does basic electrics as well - often quoted on the forum.... but his name escapes me at present.

Anyone around please ?
Click to expand...

Ross Savage (RossTech Marine).
 
I agree with sarabande. There isnt too much that goes wrong mid stream, with a diesel engine its usually fuel or rope round the prop. A diesel course will give you the skills and knowledge to check these things before you set off, prevention much better then cure. Its also much more fun being able to service your own boat too.

HF
 
Yes to a basic course... So many things to do... :D

So not worth paying the money for a rescue then..

I will put the course on my Honey do list... :D
 
I do all my own maintenance - having built the boat myself, I wouldn't want to inflict my idiosyncrasies on anyone else.

However, last year the engine pulleys sheared and dropped off into the bilge leaving me with no power.

Called RCR and even though not a member they directed me to one of their "contractors" who was exceedingly helpful and eventually repaired the drive. It was an engine out job.

So yes - to answer the question I did use RCR as there was no prospect of me doing the job 180 miles away from home.

The basic cover is £50ish and you get a certain amount of engineer's time for that. They will come to the uttermost parts of the River / waterways to get you going.

For you, a good contact with Ross (or ano) is better overall because you get to know your engineer and he, you. But they are not really set up for emergency breakdowns on the water.

RCR will put you in touch with a nearby engineer even if you're not a member - but it's unfair (IMHO) to work it that way as there's no way of paying a fee for the contact.

Folks will always stop and help if you indicate clearly that you are in trouble and I have towed several boats a reasonable distance (do at least two a year) if asked - it's part of the fun.

So your call - you can always join when you breakdown....
 
It is basically part of the boating ethos that you render assistance to anyone who is obviously in trouble in the hope and expection that the help may well be returned at some point in the future.
 
Hmmm.

No Regrets said:
It's included FOC with my Navigators and General insurance policy. :D
Click to expand...

Hi.

I'm with N&G, I will have to check my paperwork as this could be handy if my thirty odd year old Honda OB finally gives up the ghost. I have been relying on a Seagull of about the same age stuck on my boat's bum in case this happens.

However, a bit of help from other boaters is handy, at least to tug you to the nearest road access. I stopped to help a narrowboat that had broken down some years ago and the crew told me that many boats refused to help get them a couple of miles down the river to road access. I gave them all my 7.5 horsepower and they were very appreciative.

Regards.

Alan.

Regards.
 
Yup, I have given two tows and received two myself. I think it is more useful to find your way around the basics of your boat and then know a friendly mobile engineer who will come and help when you run out of talent (which is very early for me). To be honest, a tow to where you are relaxed to wait for someone is worth far more than sitting in bushes by the side of the river waiting for someone who will want to tow you somewhere!

It is also worth adding that, in an odd way, breakdowns add to the fun - helping or receiving.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27911471@N05/6822721275/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27911471@N05/6822721129/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27911471@N05/6784962521/in/photostream/

Great fun
 
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