sr330daguy
Member
Boat US or SeaTow?Any benefits of one over the other?
Towing
- Thread starter sr330daguy
- Start date
- Nov 12, 2006
- 5,334
- Boat Info
- 1999 Sea Ray 330DA
Twin 7.4 MPI (310 propshaft HP) V-drives
- Engines
- Twin Mercury Marine marinized 7.4L L-29 V8s
Cast iron block w 4-bolt mains
Never noticed a difference in the last ten years. However for the past ten years I've had a twin engine v-drive boat that has never let me down so I have not needed towing. Can't even think of a time I saw a twin inboard boat being towed. Only sterndrive boats. Before buying Just Ducky, I had a 26' boat with a sterndrive. Back then, towboat/us was better for me because they were local and that &@#%$@ sterndrive had me calling them a lot.
Single sterndrive guys should contract with whomever offers the best contract price, the most locations in their cruising area, and is located closest. You pay from the time they leave their dock until they return to it, so the less time they spend getting to you and back home, the lower your bill.
Other than that, watch your charts and water depth so that you don't run aground and manage your fuel well. If you do that I can't ever see a need for towing.
Best regards,
Frank
Single sterndrive guys should contract with whomever offers the best contract price, the most locations in their cruising area, and is located closest. You pay from the time they leave their dock until they return to it, so the less time they spend getting to you and back home, the lower your bill.
Other than that, watch your charts and water depth so that you don't run aground and manage your fuel well. If you do that I can't ever see a need for towing.
Best regards,
Frank
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tobnpr
New Member
Mine needed to be towed once.
I can get her to stay on a reasonably straight course on one engine with help from the rudder, but there is no maneuverability in tight quarters on a single engine.
The mechanic at the boatyard also discovered this when he thought he could get my boat out of the slings and over to another dock to free up the Travelift (found out I had a dead batt. after being in the yard for a bottom job) on one engine. Zero maneuverability- luckily the wind was blowing the right direction...and we drifted 50yards into the dock.
Besides, plenty of other things can disable a boat whether single or twin engines. What if you blow a hydraulic steering line, or picked up a bad load of fuel? Given the potential cost of a tow, it's prudent to spend the $150 a year for peace of mind.
I can get her to stay on a reasonably straight course on one engine with help from the rudder, but there is no maneuverability in tight quarters on a single engine.
The mechanic at the boatyard also discovered this when he thought he could get my boat out of the slings and over to another dock to free up the Travelift (found out I had a dead batt. after being in the yard for a bottom job) on one engine. Zero maneuverability- luckily the wind was blowing the right direction...and we drifted 50yards into the dock.
Besides, plenty of other things can disable a boat whether single or twin engines. What if you blow a hydraulic steering line, or picked up a bad load of fuel? Given the potential cost of a tow, it's prudent to spend the $150 a year for peace of mind.
JohnEGraham
Active Member
We use Seatow being one of those single Sterndrive guys. My Mechanic is 30 min away from my Marina and I have used twice and having the insurance has paid off.
I would pick the company that you see the most in your area, if they are same in cost and quality of service.
I one thing I was told (not sure if its true ) if you are in your slip and break down they will not tow you anywhere for free. So The first time I got stuck I tied the back of my boat to the outside pole and pushed myself into the canal. Came and got me No Problem.
Good luck. John G
I would pick the company that you see the most in your area, if they are same in cost and quality of service.
I one thing I was told (not sure if its true ) if you are in your slip and break down they will not tow you anywhere for free. So The first time I got stuck I tied the back of my boat to the outside pole and pushed myself into the canal. Came and got me No Problem.
Good luck. John G
sr330daguy
Member
Re: Towing ....
Frank;I'm aware of your feelings toward stern drive powered boats,however not being in saltwater I don't have the dreaded corrosion problems. Our boat is equipped with Bravo 1s which have given us zero problems, point being they have come a long way.We could argue the benefits of either drive types...eg you run a ground bend a shaft,or strut I would be willing to bet I have a better chance of surviving than a shaft drive boat and the costs of me replacing my outdrive (me doing the install) is going to be about the same.I can change an outdrive in less than 20 mins,how long to R&R a transmission?Lets talk sea water pumps ..my engine room is a dance hall compared to a V drive boat....pump out and rebuilt ,40 minutes.Want to talk fuel consumption?(being friendly) 2800RPM = 27mph........anyway I don't anticipate any breakdowns ,however we are heading down your way on an extended vacation and just want to cover our ass in case something goes down.Your point is well taken,and as always I find your posts informative and accurate.So if you happen to see us down your way ,give us a yell ,would like to buy you a drink or tw
f course if you head up our way the welcome mat is always out at the Castleton Boat Club....cheers! Tom and Linda
Frank;I'm aware of your feelings toward stern drive powered boats,however not being in saltwater I don't have the dreaded corrosion problems. Our boat is equipped with Bravo 1s which have given us zero problems, point being they have come a long way.We could argue the benefits of either drive types...eg you run a ground bend a shaft,or strut I would be willing to bet I have a better chance of surviving than a shaft drive boat and the costs of me replacing my outdrive (me doing the install) is going to be about the same.I can change an outdrive in less than 20 mins,how long to R&R a transmission?Lets talk sea water pumps ..my engine room is a dance hall compared to a V drive boat....pump out and rebuilt ,40 minutes.Want to talk fuel consumption?(being friendly) 2800RPM = 27mph........anyway I don't anticipate any breakdowns ,however we are heading down your way on an extended vacation and just want to cover our ass in case something goes down.Your point is well taken,and as always I find your posts informative and accurate.So if you happen to see us down your way ,give us a yell ,would like to buy you a drink or tw
f course if you head up our way the welcome mat is always out at the Castleton Boat Club....cheers! Tom and Linda
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- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,155
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
Both are franchised operations so which is best boils down to how good your local representitive is and whether or not he runs his business in a professional manner.
I wouldn't sign up with either one until I checked their local references and coverage. Coverage is more than a little critical ingredient in this decision.......we live in a very popular boating spot. Sea Tow has 4 boats, a single outboard, 2 twin engine outboards and a twin diesel "tug" docked within a mile of us; the Boat/US guy has one boat covering the whole area and he is stationed 5 miles up the ICW. Guess who has the best response time. Your situation may well be just the opposite. Just do your homework.
I wouldn't sign up with either one until I checked their local references and coverage. Coverage is more than a little critical ingredient in this decision.......we live in a very popular boating spot. Sea Tow has 4 boats, a single outboard, 2 twin engine outboards and a twin diesel "tug" docked within a mile of us; the Boat/US guy has one boat covering the whole area and he is stationed 5 miles up the ICW. Guess who has the best response time. Your situation may well be just the opposite. Just do your homework.
sr330daguy
Member
Thanks for the advise guy's.Hopefully non of us need their services!
Nehalennia
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2007
- 10,006
- Boat Info
- 2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG V-drives
I don't have a BoatUS membership which is VesselAssist I believe. My insurance has $1500 towing, so they should pay whoever gets to me fastest. Like Frank, knock on wood, I have done the best I can maintaining this single engine craft so I don't need it, but if I do, VesselAssist is local.
Uplate
New Member
- Oct 13, 2008
- 977
- Boat Info
- 1998 Sea Ray Sundancer 310
Westebeke 4KW Generator
- Engines
- Twin 5.7 Mercruiser Carbuerated.
Alpha 1 Drives
Re: Towing ....
Agreed. I have owned and operated 5 sterndrives in some 30 years of boating. Never an issue. Never Saltwater Either. Never had to be towed.
I do not think I would use Sterndrives in Salt Water.
Agreed. I have owned and operated 5 sterndrives in some 30 years of boating. Never an issue. Never Saltwater Either. Never had to be towed.
I do not think I would use Sterndrives in Salt Water.
Nehalennia
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2007
- 10,006
- Boat Info
- 2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG V-drives
Tom and Mike
Read my thread on "Inspection today 11-14-07 Wish me Luck"
My boat was a fresh water boat all 94 hours of it's life except for 2 weekends to the San Juan island in the Salt Water. When I bought it, it was on it's 2nd outdrive and I had the PO replace the failed 2nd one. So, in 94 hours before I took her for her first test drive it had it's 3rd OD bolted on.
Read my thread on "Inspection today 11-14-07 Wish me Luck"
My boat was a fresh water boat all 94 hours of it's life except for 2 weekends to the San Juan island in the Salt Water. When I bought it, it was on it's 2nd outdrive and I had the PO replace the failed 2nd one. So, in 94 hours before I took her for her first test drive it had it's 3rd OD bolted on.
