The Biggest Boat I've EVER Towed (and some close calls)

**Disclaimer**
I am no longer employed as a contracted captain by Coastal Towing and Marine Services LLC DBA as TowBoat US Venice.
This video is not and was not endorsed by TowBoat US Venice or Boat US. The views expressed in this video are strictly my own and not those of TowBoat US Venice or Boat US. My second week working for TowBoat US. 15nm sw of Venice to Apollo Beach FL
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[@cats400]

I think the algorithm has finally noticed your channel. You're gonna start gaining subs like crazy. Keep up the content!

[@CaptKenO]

It sure has taken off over the last week!

[@mrssheandmrme]

Well the algorithm guided me all the way from Sweden :) New sub sir! 🇸🇪🇺🇸

[@CaptKenO]

@@mrssheandmrme Thanks for the support! Glad you liked the video

[@derick2986]

I'm also a tug boat captain. Keep up the great work skipper. I enjoy your videos

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Derick!

[@redskiclayton]

Sometimes you need to tell the customer "LISTEN TO ME"! The reason why you are there is because you know what your doing, but they have it in their mind that you don't know anything! great patience.

[@CaptKenO]

Oh I have told customers off when they really annoy me... More or less along the line of "I do this for a living and we're and we're going to do it my way. If you don't like that I can leave." They usually shape up pretty quickly after that 🤣

[@scallywag9392]

what patience you have! I would have left him an oar and a good luck message!

[@CaptKenO]

I get paid by the hour...so since I didn't have anything else to do that morning I didn't mind waiting around a bit extra :)

[@oldmill322]

Great video, I learned a lot about how NOT to act from the Capt of the Hatteras.

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Richard! Glad I could help you out with that 🤣

[@john-austinsmith8388]

I just discovered your Channel. awesome stuff!! keep up the hard work!!! 💪👍🍻

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks John! Glad you like my content!

[@enjoyingretirement4846]

Great Job, showing your patience and no stress. Nice customer service.

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks mate!

[@insertpienow]

WoW.......your customer had the social skills of dung beetle.......nice work....Thank You for Sharing

[@CaptKenO]

Thank you for watching!

[@53Peterbilt]

HAHA!!! That's got a laugh outta me!!

[@andrewfyakim525]

You did a fantastic job Capt!.... I just stumbled across your channel, and Subscribed. I'll be binge-watching the next few days....

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Andrew! Glad you like my videos! :)

[@andrewfyakim525]

@@CaptKenO I do like your videos; but I especially like your boat-handling skills. (And your reserved temperament, for not shouting to the Hatteras owner, "where the Heck are you!. you're burning daylight!... time to get going!) ☺

[@cats400]

Thats exactly what i doing. Lmao

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Andrew! I've learned over the years that getting all worked up over something that really isn't that important doesn't do any one any good :)

[@53Peterbilt]

HA!! Same here!!

[@pvp64]

Wow, just found your channel. Great job!

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks! Glad you like the content

[@Dallas_Headlam]

only watched 3 of your videos so far. very interesting content 👍

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Dallas! Glad you like my content!

[@sean4839]

Captain, Been doing this a while? You're fricken' amazing. I ever need a tow, I know who I'm calling. Cheers!

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Sean! I've been working for Towboat US for a little over a year and a half now

[@Waynerunion]

love watching you help people out on the water show us those you make

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Dawn!

[@53Peterbilt]

Nicely done!

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks for the support!

[@jonathanrighetti5897]

you guys need the bats they use in ft Lauderdale, I think they are 26" duskys with twin inboard diesels. they are flat decked so you can easily work the whole boat. check out cape Ann marine towing

[@CaptKenO]

Oh hell no. That flat deck is asking for you to fall overboard in some of the weather we operate in. That setup is fine for moving boats in ports, but I wouldn't take that out even into the Bay here. The twin inboards would be nice though

[@theoreinecke4867]

Wow nerves of steel well done Capt Ken

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Theo!

[@robertjosephik4010]

Nerves of steel! Great job!

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Robert!

[@kennethhacker3014]

Wow thats a big boy glad you have that extra power great presentation

[@CaptKenO]

Yes. Definitely! Would've been better if I have the boats I do now back then so that I could've put him on a hip tow and not have to worry about getting into the dock!

[@mikepech6822]

I know this ia an older post. But damn kept me glued to my seat and my fingers stuck in my armrests through that narrow channel. I had a 39'. And people who aren't boaters don't realize that bigger the boat, the sooner you have to turn the wheel because the boats reaction is alot slower. So towing a boat that size and going through that narrow channel that old saying threading the needle is an understatement with this action. This guy is a double pro at this towing job.

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Mike!

[@rogerhansen1314]

outstanding job

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Roger!

[@daviddoss1104]

Nice job Cappy.. Towing that big old Hatteras with a single engine inboard is no joke.

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks David! Yeah, that was a bit sketchy...won't be doing that again

[@andrewburnett2215]

Very interesting. Awesome video.

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks for the support Andrew! Glad you like my content!

[@andrewburnett2215]

@@CaptKenO I have towed a few things around over the years. Always thought it would be cool to get paid for it. You have a great tow boat.

[@CaptKenO]

If you're going to tow them you might as well :)

[@dougbourdo2589]

Now, I am Not a mariner only being on vessels to go scuba diving on ship wrecks. That said we have aided other boaters in distress. That captain surely did not appear to have full control of his vessel when navigating those narrow channel markers. Man. Carry on smartly Sir. Your videos are enjoyable.

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Doug! He didn't have control of the boat...that's why he was being towed in the first place 😂

[@kingscstl]

excellent work captain, thats a big vessel in tow to be pulling through tight spaces with that shammy. I have the same predator cuddy but currently with a gas 5.7L engine and its a bear to maneuver on its own sometimes in the wind and current. What engine is that? Perkins or cummins? I'm going big with a 12valve 6bt cummins and currently trying to decide on a trans setup that can handle the power.

[@CaptKenO]

Yanmar 4lha-ste

[@robsibley885]

great video. you are obviously very good at what you do . I have towed exactly one other boat in my life( a smaller vessel than mine) towing such a large vessel through such a narrow channel what would have been the advantages/ disadvantages of just side tying the entire tow? I am in no way questioning your decisions as you got the job done and in good form. just curious. \ Rob

[@CaptKenO]

Hey Rob. A hip tow isn't as efficient as a stern tow, my boat, my boat isn't setup for hip towing, and with a boat this large, I'd stand a pretty good chance of losing control with his length and mass. During one of those turns, you can see my pulling 90deg to him at full throttle and still barely turning him in time

[@leversforever9748]

Good job Capt.!! the guy couldn't have done it better under his own power

[@CaptKenO]

He only had one good engine and wasn't comfortable moving the boat so far not knowing if the other engine would fail

[@love1876]

멋진 영상 잘 봤습니다 👍

[@pedro_wit_dat_draco3074]

I like that shamrock 26 you got there what engine do you have by the way I just sub love the channel already

[@davidmorrisjones8999]

Yes I too would like to know what the specification of your towboat is. Thanks for letting us feel we're aboard with you

[@robertcole6237]

Nice job

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Robert!

[@Mj-CWO4]

He’s got one engine and a bow thruster and can’t maneuver?

[@CaptKenO]

Welcome to the world of boat owners who don't know how to boat

[@lyndinarolle7921]

good job i tought you coudent pull that big boat

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Lyndina!

[@dirttdude]

back when i was repossessing yachts i rafted off, tied a springline and moved the boat that way.... Was tricky doing liveaboards, that's how i got my cat, Carver

[@CaptKenO]

Oh I'm sure it was. Were you by yourself of did you have backup?

[@dirttdude]

@@CaptKenO I had support in open water where i could board the boat. i needed a tow once.

[@CaptKenO]

That's good. I'd be worried that some of those people could get pretty violent when they found you trying to take their home away

[@dirttdude]

@@CaptKenO Everything has to meet a criteria before you can snatch one, with liveaboards you have to hire a private dick and arrange to be close by at a designated time, biggest danger is a 'well meaning' neighboring liveaboard

[@phillarnach9484]

Surely the Hatteras had at least some rudder authority although not sure what speed the tow was in the channels.

[@CaptKenO]

They had some, but not much. They had a bow thruster that was sorta kinda working at times. Tow was about 3kts since there was no stopping that boat, so not a whole lot of rudder authority

[@davidl7983]

Great job! What kind of motor you running?

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks David! It's a Yanmar 4lha-ste that produces ~240hp

[@opinionsmatter5201]

Wow skilled

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Mate!

[@anicoleanthony]

What boat are you driving?

[@CaptKenO]

This is a 26ft shamrock cuddy cabin

[@chopperharly]

hope you dont get to many customers like this chap

[@CaptKenO]

Nope. Most people we tow are a bit better :)

[@petershortlidge3156]

I don't think your customer should own a Jon boat let alone a 70 ft Hatteras

[@CaptKenO]

I've realized that about a lot of the people I deal with on the water, unfortunately.

[@petershortlidge3156]

@@CaptKenO you're doing a great job captain. Keep the chin up. And keep on going forward 👍

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Peter!

[@EternalBlade]

Hey was this boat a screw or jet pump?

[@CaptKenO]

Twin screw

[@EternalBlade]

@@CaptKenO Im in srq by the way. Great vids bro.

[@Vegvisir_Oceanis]

I'm wondering if he didn't use his rudders at all? And he also could have used his engine to assist more while turning IMO

[@CaptKenO]

Rudder, good engine running in reverse, bow thruster... all good options to help here :)

[@Vegvisir_Oceanis]

@@CaptKenO given all the help you didn't get, you did great even getting him to the tight spots. Getting him through was impressive. Cudos Cap 🛥

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Vidar!

[@Vegvisir_Oceanis]

@@CaptKenO btw. I might be heading your way within the next few years if the world recover from the current situation. I'm a certified captain, planning on doing the great loop more or less solo if I get the right vessel for it over there

[@CaptKenO]

@@Vegvisir_Oceanis That sounds like fun! Pay attention when you get to this area (and everywhere else too). I've probably had a dozen groundings this year from people doing the loop and all of those have had 2+ people on board

[@lostin.psychosis7080]

more money than brains ....................

[@jaywylde7566]

Amazing job, that is seriously narrow for towing a boat of that size. Well done!

[@CaptKenO]

Thanks Jay! Sure was a tight turn

[@pvp64]

Can I ask for a job that big and all of your time, what does a job like that cost the boat owner?

[@CaptKenO]

Members are covered up to their coverage limit within the responding boat's coverage area. Non-members @ $300/h from the time we leave our dock to the time we get back. This guy was fully covered so for his $200/year membership fee he didn't pay anything for this tow. If he wasn't a member this tow would've cost close to $2,000. As a PSA to anyone with a boat, get the full coverage. It'll save you money even if you only use it once every decade

[@pvp64]

@@CaptKenO Good advice , thanks.

[@TheSoloAsylum]

This guy just has to be in charge of whats happening and waits for others to do the work. I would have sat and waited for his to rig his own boat.

[@CaptKenO]

Must be nice to be the guy with the money :)

[@danielwymer1580]

The owner didn’t know how to properly rig it and their egos won’t let them say can you do it I don’t know how, most of these large boat owners have never even taken a basic safe boating course

[@CaptKenO]

So true unfortunately :(

[@stevenstadterman9725]

so ironic..I knew ud go on ur own..

[@richardp969]

Wow

[@biggooseadventures]

I think the big boat captain was drunk

[@CaptKenO]

Maybe hungover...

[@biggooseadventures]

@@CaptKenO lol

[@biggooseadventures]

@@CaptKenO seems like it hahaha nice video btw