Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

[tomlida1]

Was thinking last night about SeaTow/US Tow Service, but they are not on the lake I frequent.

So does anyone else have the services on a lake they are not actually at, and had to use the service?

Wondering who they call if your out and Marina's are closed and they are not on the lake?

Do they say sorry no one is avaliable?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

I think your best bet would be to contact them and ask them about your specific situation.

 

[tomlida1]

Re: Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

Hi,

Yes, I did call sea Tow and they confirmed they didn't operate on the lake. Actually confirmed they dont operate on 2 of 3 I frequent. They said if i broke down they would still contact someone to come get me or reimburse the charges.

Other than the marina's dont think anyone else to call.

Just looking for personal experience to see how they handled it, if anyone had been in that situation.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

your insurance probably covers some of the towing costs, no matter who does it. This has been discussed often. For some people it's more cost effective not to have a tow service; not everyone.
If you regularly boat on a lake with a marina but no tow service: Be a good customer of the marina. Buy you gas, bait and ice there, frequently, even if it costs more. Ask them if you got in a jam, how much would they charge to come get you. make a friend.

 

[eastont]

Re: Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

I have been towed in twice in the last 2 years, First time it was about 5 miles and cost $175, next time it was about 3.5 miles and cost $680. The difference.....there used to be 4 marinas on the Canadian side of the 1000 Islands who towed, and now there is only 1, and they know it.

I called TowUS and they quoted me $985.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

I have a boat us membership. Just renewed it for $54 for another year. It includes towing of the trailer also. If a boat us boat cant get me there are local marinas who have 24 hour tow. The catch.......if the marina located about an hour up river comes to get me after dark they said it would cost over a grand. This marina guy told me to get a boat us memebrship. I boat on weeknights after work and we usually head in during dusk. My wife asked me once, "What if we break down out here and its pitch dark?' Made me think about getting a tow service. Of course - I dont plan on breaking down..................

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

I also have a Boat US membership.

The deal is that if they don't have an affiliated towing service on the lake you are on, or within a certain radius, they will pay for a tow from any available service up to your coverage limit. Mine is $2000 because I boat on the Mississippia and Great Lakes, so I wanted to make very sure I had coverage to allow for a 20+ mile tow if necessary.

The only catch is you must arrange the tow through Boat US's hotine if there is no affiliated towing service where you need help. Then they call and make arrangements.

Well worth the price if you ask me. As others on this thread have shown, it doesn't take much to rack up a big towing bill.

Grouse

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

You can go online and read Seatow's membership details. I am pretty sure BoatUS is the same.

They will both pay for a tow (reimburse you) if there is not a Seatow/BoatUS to come get you.

It is definatly worth it for a membership. On any kind of on the water tow or service you get charged by not how far you are from where you need to go, but rather the time and distance the towing boat is to get to you THEN to where you have to go THEN back to where the tow boat came from.

It details the specifics on the Seatow site but most/all towing services are the same.

You can also get free jump starts, free nav advice, and fuel brought to you for free (just have to pay the cost of the fuel).


I have Sea tow right now. Just renewed a couple months ago. I was very mad at Seatow 3 years ago because I was sailing a sailboat 600 miles back home when my engine stopped charging the batts just as night fell. I was about 130 miles off shore. I made it to Tarpon Springs and called Seatow because I had no GPS, lights, or radio. (called on my cell which was also dying) I asked him if he would come get us and take us to a dock and he refused. He said there is no where to take me. I told him we were in danger because we were un familliar with the area and had 0 power. He told us to anchor behind Anchollette Key.

We did and there were boats flying past us all night. we were sitting there with no lights on. When the sun came up we made our way in the channel and there was a huge public dock with a huge marina next to it. This guy was just being lazy because it was almost 4AM. I called and raised you know what with Seatow and they just told me its up to the capt. I have read of others online that say theyre local Seatow capt is a jerk also and will not come get you in the rain or make you wait 4 hours.

Just depends on where you are and who the local capt is. The one locally to me is a pretty nice guy, which is why I renewed. BoatUs has a 25 mile limit from the nearest BoatUS. Then it becomes a reimbursement.

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: Who has SeaTow or US Tow Service

I am pretty sure we will sign up with BoatUS. I have been on the water for many years and someone has always helped out when needed. But we are going to start exploring more of the lake and therefore going for much longer distances. Hard to make that jump because you do all(most) the maintenance and think nothing can go wrong. But in the back of your mind you know sooner or later something will go wrong(again!) LOL and it will be out of your control. I think many of us let some parts of the maintenance go for longer than it should. Many times it is for financial reasons. Like not replacing a good working impeller or battery that is in good working or but is older etc
I just can't imagine some good hearted stranger towing us for 4 or more hours. Maybe stopping and letting someone else take over. The Lake is rarely empty of boaters but off hours and fall hours it can get sparse. Would be nice to have that 800 number to fall back on.
We want it for piece of mind. You can't beat the price they offer for that. Good for them too because many will never use it