Be wary of TowBoatUS in Lake St. Clair

anchorclanker · Jun 4, 2013

Old Skool Neil said:
Really?

After putting out around $80K - $120K for vessels (if you have only two and they're small), equip them with the necessary electronics, dewatering pumps, liftbags and compressors, safety and firefighting equipment, maintain those vessels that are in use daily, fuel those vessels daily, insure your operation, insure those vessels, man those vessels around the clock (three shifts X 2), insure your employees, pay for a facility from which to operate and hire lawyers to chase down unpaid invoices, let's see what you would charge.

Keep in mind, the weekends might be busy (MIGHT be) but mid week not nearly as much and likely the business is seasonal. Oh yeah, somewhere in there you need to afford to live in some of the most expensive areas in the country.

Good luck.

Well, ive owned a few big RV's, and currently own an old MCI Coach converted to RV. If it needs a tow, a big huge diesel semi tractor tow truck will be called. Those tow trucks can cost from $250K to as much as $500K. They have large onboard air compressors, tools and tire equipment, heavy winches and recovery gear, fire fighting equipment, and someone on call 24/7/365. They also must be maintained to comply with DOT, drivers must pass DOT, mega buck insurance because of HUGE billboards put up by attorneys wanting to SUE Semi Trucks, etc... I insured a large wrecker myself once. Once. Its a lot of money.

And I can be picked up and hauled anywhere for between $125 to $250 an hour or $3-5 a mile. Sorry, no one is worth $9500 an hour. Hell, I think the guys with the Snap On trucks have over $500K wrapped up in their equipment and merchandize, and they could only dream to make that kind of money.

MrBill_FLL · Jun 5, 2013

see, I remember when USCG would do this work... for free.

but that was a long time ago. security and patrols are priorities today. kinda like the police.

Someday in the not too distant future firemen won't rescue cats in trees either... progress.

Gary_H · Jun 5, 2013

$9500.00 !!! heheheh I would just hand the guy the keys and ask for a ride back to shore...I only paid 4500.00 for the whole boat!

tommays · Jun 5, 2013

I have to disagree IF the facts as presented are true

and IMHP the insurance just paid because it was cheaper than going to court

A large factor in salvage cost is suppose to be the peril the salvage person undertakes to rescue the boat

If he pulled you off the rocks in a raging storm the fee should be much higher than pulling you off something on a flat clam day

Jackdaw · Jun 5, 2013

MrBill_FLL said:
see, I remember when USCG would do this work... for free.

but that was a long time ago. security and patrols are priorities today. kinda like the police.

Someday in the not too distant future firemen won't rescue cats in trees either... progress.

It costs on average $3500 every time a firetruck pulls out of the firehouse. I don't want my FD rescuing cats. The coastines stopped this for the same reason, and I think is IS progress.

anchorclanker · Jun 5, 2013

Why bother rescuing anyone? Most fires are caused by negligence, most boats are put in peril due to negligence, etc.. Having all this coast guard and fire equipment and personell, infrastructure, helicopters, why have any of it at all if it cannot be used to help people who screwed up?

I'm serious. We are all paying a lot tax dollars to provide all of this crap and pay all these coasties and rescue outfits to stand around chipping paint and polishing their buttons. If they arent able to do anything productive with any of it, can the whole works. If all of its so useless to us that we need to pay a private operator $9500 to tug our boat off, we shouldnt be supporting the public sector junk. Turn it all over to private companies who can then charge for coming out.

Chuckbear · Jun 5, 2013

I did a blog posting and an article for sail magazine on this exact subject. The blog post is here, http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/2009/11/when-is-towing-boat-not-towing-boat.html . This might help explain a few things. Chuck

MrBill_FLL · Jun 5, 2013

Jackdaw said:
It costs on average $3500 every time a firetruck pulls out of the firehouse. I don't want my FD rescuing cats. The coastines stopped this for the same reason, and I think is IS progress.

CAT HATER!

-j/k

That's the thing, since other companies filled the void, USCG was re-purposed, or re-assigned more patrols, & security duties.

not sure the FD can be... besides, the media will be all over the cats in trees, and ducks in sewers!

Boaters are out of sight. Plus they are rich! they can afford it.

MrBill_FLL · Jun 5, 2013

anchorclanker said:
If all of its so useless to us that we need to pay a private operator $9500 to tug our boat off, we shouldnt be supporting the public sector junk. Turn it all over to private companies who can then charge for coming out.

Anyone remember the guy who's house burn down, while the FD watched.... because he lived out side the city limits, and had not paid his annual fire fee....

I understand salvage companies, they run a business. But its build on the misfortunes of others.

-not unlike tow truck operators. -Bet they wish they could get salvage rights.... (they do, but they call that a daily storage fees)

redhead78 · Jun 5, 2013

What is wrong with this picture, its a ripoff plain and simple, how can u people give these pirates any kind of pass here. This guy took advantage, how can u see it otherwise. A 10 mile tow puts more wear and tear on the tow boat than an hours worh of idling, and a lot more time, yet it would cost 5-800$..legal or not is bulls*HIT..RED

MrBill_FLL · Jun 5, 2013

in all honesty, I think the ONLY problem was with the non-disclosure of the costs.

if you know the costs, you make a educated decision.

Wait for high tide, and ask good Samaritan's for help, or pay the professional's price.

ps: the real pirates wear suits and work at the courthouse.
40-60% in fees for civil suits are common.

Bob 04 H260 · Jun 6, 2013

I needed a tow for a mechanical breakdown, I have BoatUS coverage. I was anchored in calm weather and called them by cell phone, explained we needed a tow to the nearest marina so I could arrange repairs. They did not have a boat near us so needed to trailer one closer. The captain called me from his truck as he was delayed in traffic. It was about two hours later by the time he pulled up beside us. He was very professional and did a great job. He towed us to the nearest marina and helped to direct us into the slip. He was on the road, in the water and towing us for five hours by the time he left to go back to his trailer. The bill was $625, it was all covered by BoatUS. I don't know what the charge might have been if we did not have the BoatUS coverage.

Bob

Chris Patterson · Jun 7, 2013

Seems I remember that there may be some difference in the tow/salvage procedure if you use THEIR lines, as opposed to YOUR lines being used?

If it is your line it won't be considered salvage?

(Just a thought, and a question).

Cool Beans · Jun 7, 2013

Just because certain laws have been around for hundreds of years, doesn't make them right or justifiable. . .a couple hundred years ago when these laws were written the kind of salvages being "encouraged" were for large commercial / naval sailing ships which required dozens of men in row boats working for days kegging out anchors and winching on capstans and digging out shoals. I can see 10-30 percent of value being justified for that kind of work. . .and also, it was one company paying another company, or even a country's government paying the salvers for the work. . .

Meh. . .