Had a great first time out on the CT River today. Was originally intending to anchor and work on setting up the in-hull transducer, but just decided to cruise and relax as I am playing bachelor for the week while the wife and kids are out of town. <br /><br />Ended up I had only gone about a mile upriver when I ran into someone who had run over a log and knocked out their drive. Apparently their VHF was out too and they were trying to reach someone on a cellphone. I was not sure if they were waving at me or trying to flag me down although they were anchored dead center of the channel which did give me some indication there might be a problem. Several other boats passed on by but I decided to stop as I would hope someone would for me.<br /><br />They had launched out of Rocky Hill which was about 12 miles upriver. I told them I would go ahead and tow them and at the same time I could pass the time by scoping out the sights I had never seen before. Ended up being almost 3 hours and the guy and his son were grateful beyond imagination. <br /><br />Once I got him there he offered me money and I told him just to do a good deed for the next boater who needed help and pass it on. He continued to insist and I told him I'd take $40 then to cover fuel. Ended up he only had a $100 and insisted I take it as he said Sea Tow would have likely charged him more than double that.<br /><br />Also, there were several amusing and troubling things I encountered on the way up and back. Several people were anchored mid-channel and seemed to either not realize it or not care. Many boats passed me to the starboard even though I stayed on the far right side of the channel all the way up and back. Most people seem to be polite and cordial as I tend to wave at nearly everyone I pass and that was a good sign to me as on land that friendliness does not seem to be in as great an abundance. The launch area at Haddam is great, plenty of room, and lots of time for a self-launcher as well as plenty of parking. All in all a great time today.
