Tow Boat US

sailnoproblem

sailnoproblem

.
Oct 10, 2011
619
Tartan 34C Toms River, New Jersey
Yesterday I was helping a friend with a new to him purchase of a 1988 Pearson 27'. We decided on a early morning start.
We started from the Golden Nugget Casino Marina in Atlantic City on our way to the west end of Toms River approx. 50NM. For some reason we decided to go the ICW instead of outside to the Barnegat inlet. Right around marker 155 we ran aground. It's pretty damn narrow in those channels.
We contacted Tow Boat US and it took only about 15 minutes to arrive. The operator decided to pull us off by the stern because of the wing keel. Buy doing so it snapped the rudder off right at the waterline. I am not sure why he was concerned with the Keel! From my estimate we were stuck in about six inches of muck.
Well they towed us all the way to our home slip in Toms River and will replace the rudder at no cost to my friend as they said it was there doing. We didn't try to motor off as the motor was sucking muck off the bottom.
As for a Gilligan type episode it wasn't a three hour tour it was a eleven hour tow.
I told my friend it was the best $180 he ever spent, even with the mishap I highly recommend Tow Boat Us at least in the AC to Manasquan area of NJ.
 
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Ward H

Ward H

.
Nov 7, 2011
3,828
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
I’ve used them twice in 7 seasons. They’ve come out of Barnegat Light both times for engine issues.
Very professional and great service. Well worth the cost.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,509
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Never had the pleasure... I suspect it is just a matter of time. That is why I spend the money. So far it has worked. The first year I think I'll get smart and save the $145 will be the year that I need the help.
 
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D

danm1

.
Oct 5, 2013
230
Hunter 356 Mamaroneck, NY
Barnegat Light crew helped me a few weeks ago. Professional, courteous, knowledgable, and capable. Just wish we never met. :(
Tow Boat/US coverage came with my Geico Marine insurance. Makes me an even more loyal customer.
 
Parsons

Parsons

.
Jul 12, 2011
1,165
Leopard 40 Jupiter, Florida
I had a similar experience: Clogged diesel filter at exactly the wrong time entering a narrow channel - shorthanded. I just could not think fast enough to diagnose the engine or raise sails to get out of there - slow motion grounding followed. Local BoatUS guy came out and towed me off, then into a local repair boatyard. I know the captain, and he didn't even laugh at me when I saw him later - now that's service. Only problem I experienced were all the little fishing boats trying to cut between us as he was pulling me off the mud - no sense of seamanship. Anyhow, I recommend the towing service as a great money saver.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,509
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Parsons said:
Now that's service.
Click to expand
My sailing buddy @LeslieTroyer reminded me that he has served as my "towing service". Sure enough he did. He also provided a drink when we got to port to celebrate our experience. Maybe that would be a good model for BoatUS. I am sure it would help to improve the customers mood after a tow.
:beer:
 
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D

DAVA390

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Jul 13, 2010
1,100
Precision 23 Perry Hall,Baltimore County
1 St tow in a few weeks ago. Fuel line connector came apart,wind dead against us getting back in. Very professional and friendly. Right into the ramp smooth as silk.
IMG_20190622_185917939.jpg
 
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Tally Ho

Tally Ho

.
Jan 7, 2011
5,906
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I haven’t had to use Tow USA, but I have had friends tow me in to the Marina twice in 10 years...

1st time, I wrapped a rope around the prop and could not use the engine. Tried to sail her in to the fuel dock, but gave up and a power boat gave me a tow in.

2nd time, I killed the batteries somehow topping off water while sailing. My son was at the helm, and called down to me in the cabin...”Hey Dad, the instruments just went dead”. Must have put too much water in the cells. My buddy who lives on his boat came out to the mouth of the marina and pulled me in.

I am fortunate to be on Lake Michigan and don’t have to contend with thin water too much!

Greg


13770760-76F8-4895-B39E-65AB06E117C0.jpeg
 
19thol

19thol

.
May 2, 2014
111
Hunter 30 St.Petersburg, Fl
Best investment we ever made, saved my bacon on several occasions.
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

.
Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
sailnoproblem said:
Yesterday I was helping a friend with a new to him purchase of a 1988 Pearson 27'. We decided on a early morning start.
We started from the Golden Nugget Casino Marina in Atlantic City on our way to the west end of Toms River approx. 50NM. For some reason we decided to go the ICW instead of outside to the Barnegat inlet. Right around marker 155 we ran aground. It's pretty damn narrow in those channels.
We contacted Tow Boat US and it took only about 15 minutes to arrive. The operator decided to pull us off by the stern because of the wing keel. Buy doing so it snapped the rudder off right at the waterline. I am not sure why he was concerned with the Keel! From my estimate we were stuck in about six inches of muck.
Well they towed us all the way to our home slip in Toms River and will replace the rudder at no cost to my friend as they said it was there doing. We didn't try to motor off as the motor was sucking muck off the bottom.
As for a Gilligan type episode it wasn't a three hour tour it was a eleven hour tow.
I told my friend it was the best $180 he ever spent, even with the mishap I highly recommend Tow Boat Us at least in the AC to Manasquan area of NJ.
Click to expand
You must have wandered off channel somehow. I was watching very carefully in that area because it is the first spot where Active Captain had some notes and comments about shoaling. I never saw anything less than about 12' depth in that stretch of water. I didn't see any shallow water in the channel from A.C. all the way to Tuckerton.
 
Gene Neill

Gene Neill

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Sep 30, 2013
3,683
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
Been a member on their Cadillac plan for six years. So far, I've given them about $1000 for nothing, and it's time to renew - so make that $1200. But, it keeps the wife happy, so I'll keep paying them.

Plus ... we own a little stinkpot now, too. And I just know I'm gonna run that little gas hog out of fuel before long.
 
Last edited:
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sailnoproblem

sailnoproblem

.
Oct 10, 2011
619
Tartan 34C Toms River, New Jersey
Scott T-Bird said:
You must have wandered off channel somehow. I was watching very carefully in that area because it is the first spot where Active Captain had some notes and comments about shoaling. I never saw anything less than about 12' depth in that stretch of water. I didn't see any shallow water in the channel from A.C. all the way to Tuckerton.
Click to expand
I don't know Scott seems we were in the channel we only draw less than 4 feet. where the tow boat was we were only 20 feet away. anyway we sure we're stuck. if I'm going to AC from now on I'll definitely go on the outside. didn't care for all the green heads either.
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

.
Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
sailnoproblem said:
didn't care for all the green heads either.
Click to expand
That's the first thing my dock neighbor said! Yeah, I can imagine! Perhaps they disappeared for the season. I didn't have any problem with greenheads. I had just a few of those black biting flies for a while near Long Beach Island, but they were not nearly as bad as they can be. It's funny, I didn't even give the flies a thought as they simply were non-existent as I worked my way from Brigantine to Tuckerton. I must have been lucky!

I can see doing this trip with Sue and there will be swarms of greenheads! That would be a disaster for sure.
 
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JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,017
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
My annual insurance includes 3 - Tows by anyone... $5000 each tow.
Policy addendum Cost = $50
Jim...
 
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Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,683
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
JamesG161 said:
My annual insurance includes 3 - Tows by anyone... $5000 each tow.
Policy addendum Cost = $50
Jim...
Click to expand
That’s the ‘only way to fly’.

I guess it might make sense to subscribe to one tow company if someone only travels locally but If you want to travel or avail yourself of any tow service, having coverage on a boat policy provides more flexibility at a cheaper price. Our tow endorsement costs $40/year extra.

It’s a comforting feeling watching them race to your location trying to beat the competition for the job.
 
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bawlmer

bawlmer

.
Sep 15, 2013
708
Catalina 270 Baltimore
I used them once. It more than paid for the years I have been paying for the plan. I consider the yearly cost money well spent.
 
Sailm8

Sailm8

.
Feb 21, 2008
1,751
Hunter 29.5 Punta Gorda
We were riding on a friends dinghy and it broke down. Called BoatsUS and found out he had an unlimited FRESHWATER plan and not a saltwater plan. He had sailed for 20 years never knowing that there were 2 plans. Boatsus was great and let him upgrade over the phone
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,509
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Sometimes the options can be so confusing. I sail in Salt water so I just expect they will provide the right plan for my area of sailing. Guess it is not always the case.
 
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