generator on a trip from Martha's Vineyard to the mouth of the Delaware when I was hailed by the US Coastguard. They announced on the VHF that they were going to board us. I pointed out that I was towing a (bright red) 100ft line with a big metal impeller at the end and that therefore they should not cross my stern too closely. They reacted as if that was no concern to them. When the Zodiac tender approached us it was clear that they were going to cross our wake close to our stern and only after frantic waving and pointing to the line I was towing they seem to understand that that was not a good idea.

Clearly these units are only suitable for open waters, and the effort to deploy and take them in are such that its not worth the trouble on short trips. For the typical contemporary cruiser they are not worth the investment.