Which towing company do you guys use most?

[s.d.willie]

Sea Tow and BoatUS are not cheap in the least but seem to be the most common out there. Is one a better option than the other? No issues with ports for either service by me so I am not sure which one to go with if any. It's peace of mind I guess. Any feedback on any experience with any is appreciated!

 

[dingbat]

Used both. Have no complaints with either.

Insurance is cheap compared to the alternative. My last tow would have been $1,400 without my towing service

 

[southkogs]

I use Boat US, and honestly didn't think they were too expensive for the service I get inland.

 

[tpenfield]

Only used Sea Tow - and actually had to use them once - It is a matter of which one might be closer or better equipped in your area. In my area I see several Sea Tow boats frequently, but a Boat/US boat only occasionally. So, even thought both are present, Sea Tow looks to have more coverage.

​Also, I would spend the few $$ more and get the highest level service. I was glad that I did, because I had a 'boat load' of people and they towed me to my home port instead of just the next available marina.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Boat us. However both service my area.

Its cheap compared to shelling out $ for a tow. My one tow would have been $1100. Easily worth the $160/yr

 

[oldjeep]

The kind stranger towing service There is only one lake we use that has any official towing service, folks just take care of each other around here.

 

[SDSeville]

BoatUS. Only used once (and saved about $600) in the 10 years I have had it, but the piece of mind is well worth $160 a year, especially when I am 30 miles out.

 

[JoLin]

BoatUS. Used them 3 times. Busted a trailer axle 700 miles into a 1200 mile trip (free flatbed service to a repair shop). Busted outboard engine (free tow to the launch ramp I used). Hard grounding on the Carver (free haul to deeper water). I've easily made up 10 years' worth of premiums. Wouldn't be without it.

My .02

 

[s.d.willie]

Thanks for all the replies. I have Geico marine insurance which includes towing (250 dollars towards first hour) and if I wanted to upgrade to unlimited towing it's 43 dollars more. They help with groundings and will deliver gas as well (gas not included) so I was wondering what is the advantage of me going with something besides what i already have? Geico uses Boat us as well.

 

[JoLin]

The towing companies start charging the minute they leave the dock and the service is very, very pricey. $250.00 doesn't go very far. When I ran aground on the Carver, it took TowBoatUS about an hour to reach me. Total bill for hauling me off was either $700. or $900. (can't remember which). The flatbed service when my trailer axle broke was more than $300. Check your Geico policy and make sure the unlimited policy includes dock-to-dock towing, too. If my boat breaks down in the slip (or anywhere else for that matter) and I can't fix it, BoatUS will tow me to the marina of my choice no matter how far away it is. Could be your Geico policy has all the coverage you need, but you might want to do a side by side comparison.

My .02

 

[tpenfield]

+1 to what JoLin said . . . I'd check the fine print on the coverage, as it seems like it would fall short of what the costs of a tow would be. I also think you are better off getting the premium service coverage directly from the tow company ( be it Sea Tow or Boat/US) . . . no paperwork or reimbursement involved, which you may have with Geico.

 

[s.d.willie]

+1 to what JoLin said . . . I'd check the fine print on the coverage, as it seems like it would fall short of what the costs of a tow would be. I also think you are better off getting the premium service coverage directly from the tow company ( be it Sea Tow or Boat/US) . . . no paperwork or reimbursement involved, which you may have with Geico.

Apparently if I upgrade my policy they will tow from dock to nearest marina (25 miles). I wouldn't have to do a reimbursement(original coverage) they would deal directly with Boat US for payment and it would be up to 3000.00 per incident. I understand having a marina of my choice is key but I don't know any as of yet.

edit: actually the fine print does say (now that im going over with a fine tooth comb) a port of choice within the TowBoat US service area.