Wanderer Vagabond

I would be genuinely interested in just how many times they actually tow anyone anywhere (even though it is suggested in their T's & C's that they will). If your tow would have been 4 hours, and assuming they sourced the tow boat from your destination (otherwise they'd have to charge you for returning it somewhere else) that would work out at something like 8 hours recovery time (I would guess that your 'free' two hours would be more than used up in Bosley Locks). At the usual rate for such workers of £45 per hour that would be something like £360. Compared to what I haven't had to spend on RCR membership (circa £1000) I'm also probably well ahead. I've replaced the water pump (that I foolishly caused to fail by overtightening the drive belt), replaced the engine isolator switch and changed about 3 alternators, only one of which RCR would cover since the one that fails most is the domestic alternator. So 3 alternators (about £270) an engine isolator switch (can't remember for sure, but somewhere about £20) and a water pump which I think was about £120 including carriage) so circa £400 in total all done with my own labour so no labour charges. Oh, and I've just remembered the recent £45 to Ed Shiers for stopping my slipping alternator drive belt, but once again that probably wouldn't have been covered by RCR since it was maintenance not breakdown.

Will they though? When I queried that on my first call out, (the oil warning light coming on) the impression given by the guy who turned up was that there is a false sense of security on that one. Their terms and conditions state,"....If the vessel cannot be repaired at the scene of the Breakdown within a reasonable time at your request, we will tow the vessel safely to a marina (within a maximum of 2 hours cruising), or – failing that – tow the vessel to a safe haven (advice and locations will be given)....." that 2 hours includes the time it takes them to get a tow boat to you, so you are looking at a maximum distance from a marina of 3 miles (if they can tow you at 3mph), but probably a lot less than that. It was realising that which made my mind up to just call out a local marine engineer as and when needed and not bother with RCR. With 8 cruising seasons on the canals and only 1 as a RCR member that equates to about £1,000 that I haven't spent on membership (based on Bronze Level) that would buy me a 3 day's labour from a Marine Engineer. I would say that for anyone with no idea of engines they are probably a good idea, but they are not the same as Green Flag/AA/RAC on the roads.