jaychucker,you may have answered your own question as to why you got no response.trolling with my honda 8hp on a calm day for hours means low rpms and little output for my only battery. I have elect.riggers,radio,1 gps ,1 fishfinder, Ialso was way offshore 12miles and could hear boats at the "25" line talking when i tried to give a report i got no response as they were whining and i was doing real well out there .then i remembered someone on this site mentioning how much power the radio requires to transmite(full).,so i started my main moter (io)and with the strong output of a altenator i tried to transmite again and the boat i was tring to reach read me loud and clear so a low battery and talking on the radio does little good . your best bet even though you did not have a "Mayday" situation you did have a "securtay" situation and it would of been appropate to call the coastguard on 16 to relay your situation(they have stronger recivers than us and may of heard you ).As for me its much more rewarding to pull stuff and help a fellow boater as long as they meet my payment request .That is to pass the good deed on if you ever can saftly do so ,so far all have agreed to this payment.(could be the fact i hold a knife to the tow rope when asking this question). Im not saying this was your situation but just some food for thought before putting down the entire port. Ray K.