What Is Best Tow Service To Subscribe To

[Ralph vaughn]

I'm registering my VHF/AIS/DSC and getting a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number. I will not be traveling Internationally so I can register with BoatUS, Sea Tow Service International, Shine, or US Power Squadron. When I started to register for Boat US they included a year prescription with my MMSI registration.

My question is which on of these services (BoatUS, Sea Tow, Shine or US Power Squadron offer the best prescription/services for the money?

Thanks In Advance.

Ralph

 

[sbw1]

I would think it depends on where you boat. The strength of the service surely varies by location with some being better than others, and vice versa. Local knowledge will be most reliable.

 

[b_arrington]

I would think it depends on where you boat. The strength of the service surly varies by location with some being better than others, and vice versa. Local knowledge will be most reliable.View attachment 89364

This.

Sea Tow is very strong on Long Island (their HQ), and they have a station in my harbor. It was a no brainer for me to choose them.

 

[pdxsearay]

My insurance came with one, fwiw.

 

[JVM225]

Sea Tow and Boat US have similar resources and response times where I boat so it’s a coin toss.
Boat US won the toss when I flipped the quarter years ago so I’m with them, but I don’t think you could go wrong with either.

 

[brewster16]

Sea Tow and Boat US have similar resources and response times where I boat so it’s a coin toss.
Boat US won the toss when I flipped the quarter years ago so I’m with them, but I don’t think you could go wrong with either.

Same with my area which is Barnegat Bay/coastal New Jersey. But, I would say that when guys ask me about anything other that Boat US or Sea Tow I advise to stick to one of them. No names and alternative services are not tried and true and I seriously doubt they could compete. And, I don't mean price.....

 

[Lazy Daze]

I would think it depends on where you boat. The strength of the service surely varies by location with some being better than others, and vice versa. Local knowledge will be most reliable.View attachment 89364

This.

The best tow service will be the company that can get to you the quickest. Local knowledge and/or call each and talk to them directly.

 

[b_arrington]

My insurance came with one, fwiw.

Insurance companies usually will reimburse for a tow, but do not provide the actual service. I guess their may be exceptions like Boat US insurance.

Unless you are a member of the tow service you do not get priority response. Non-member calls for service are always handled after any active calls from members. So if it's a busy day on the water it can be a long wait. Also you would be putting in an insurance claim, which may or many not impact your rates. My local Sea Tow charges $350 / hour, with their claimed average call time being 2.5 hours. The clock starts when they leave the dock and stops when they return.

For $170 / year (less at boat shows), signing up for a tow service is likely the cheapest thing about boating. Better to have and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Just as an example, I listed to a call from a sailboat last week. His engine died in the channel to his harbor, about a mile or so from his mooring. He called for Sea Tow which happened to be not busy at the time. Since he not a member, he was quoted the $350 / hour. And you can't become a member during an active incident.

 

[pdxsearay]

Interesting. They told me that it works just like auto: I call their 800 number (this is progressive via USAA) to report it, and then they contract it out and the tow shows up. So
I don’t have to file a claim, but I bet you’re right it takes a while.

 

[b_arrington]

Interesting. They told me that it works just like auto: I call their 800 number (this is progressive via USAA) to report it, and then they contract it out and the tow shows up. So
I don’t have to file a claim, but I bet you’re right it takes a while.

I had Progressive via USAA for a long time. I've subscribed to Sea Tow for so long I forget about that service. IT can be useful to get out of a jam if you don't have a separate tow service. But, it is 100% not the same as subscribing to Sea Tow / Boat US directly. You are not a member of the tow service and don't get priority.

My current insurance will reimburse for a towing incident - but I have to arrange for the service first. I had to get towed last year due to a failed impeller - with 20 people aboard. Sea Tow showed up quickly, got me to the dock, and I didn't pay a dime. I'd estimate it wold have been a $1200 tow without it.

 

[Ralph vaughn]

thanks for all of your posts guys. My boat is kept at Lake Lanier but i trailer to Savannah and Southern Florida frequently.

 

[skibum]

I have a little experience with this. I ran over a crab pot with a gatorade bottle full of concrete and a PVC pole with a flag on it as I was leaving Fairlee Creek. The entire rig was below the surface when I hit it, and it snapped the input shaft to my outdrive. I've been insured with NBOA for many years, and it "covers" towing. It happened late in the evening, about an hour before sundown. I called the insurance company, and got the "Our office will be open at 8AM" message. Okay... Tried NBOA, same thing. Looked up Sea Tow on my phone and gave them a call (I think I tried Boat US 1st, but they were already out on a call). They arrived on scene about an hour later. When they tied me up at the dock at my marina, I had to pay them $1200 on the spot. The insurance company covered $1K, so it cost me $200 out of pocket. I considered it acceptable at the time.

The following season when I renewed my Boat US membership I added the unlimited towing package. I took a Sunday evening cruise to one of the local restaurants by myself (I think it was the 2nd year with the towing package). About half way there my serpentine belt broke and apparently wrapped itself around my seawater pump. It somehow managed to pull the pump right off of it's mount. Broke all 3 of the 5/16" bolts holding it on. Everything was sitting on the bilge floor. This was about 10 miles from the Fairlee Creek incident location. I used the Boat US app to call for the tow. In less than 5 minutes, a lady from Boat US called me to ask where I was because the coordinates my phone sent them were on land. I told her that my anchor said otherwise and gave her the coordinates off of the boat GPS. She said they would be there shortly. I got into the bilge and gathered up the broken belt and bolts, and checked to see if the seawater pump felt intact and if the pulley would turn. It was fine, so I closed the hatch, turned on the stereo and cracked open a beer to enjoy while I waited. Within a minute of settling down in the back seat, I saw the Boat US tow boat. I was back in my marina in just over an hour from when the belt broke. Short of the $50 tip, there was no charge. There wasn't any paperwork at all. The towboat captain asked if I wanted a receipt. I declined.

Both services were great. No issues at all with the work performed. I really like being able to us the Boat US app to call for the tow even with GPS coordinate glitch. It's nice knowing that they have live staff monitoring the app and watching for errors, and that they were readily available if I needed anything else. So, my advice is to go with whichever service has the best coverage in your area, but to also check with others at your marina for verification.

 

[Andy S.]

I’ve only used Boat US and have had to use them 4 times so far. Each time they were quick to respond and at no cost/paperwork, etc... I wouldn’t leave port without it!

 

[JimT]

I have always had Sea Tow. I have used them several times over the years and the service was great. A couple of weeks ago my wife was towing the kids on my Waverunner and sucked the tow into the impeller. Killed the engine. They were out on the lake floating with no power. I called Sea Tow and was told it was a three hour wait. I said that was not acceptable as my wife and two 10 year olds were stranded in the middle of the lake on a PWC. Basically I was told tough sh*t we are busy. I went back out on the 330DA that I had just finished docking and tying up and towed them in. No more Sea Tow for me.

 

[Ralph vaughn]

Thanks again everyone for all the great comments. You have made the decision process much easier for me.

ralph

 

[Chip S]

Sea Tow is the closest towing service where I boat so that's the membership I have. I had to use their service twice with my last boat. They showed up within an hour and towed me back to my homeport. One of the times was a 40 mile tow. No charge for either tow. I pay $170 per year for the Sea Tow membership.

 

[Ralph vaughn]

thanks Chip