Boat towing in San Juans, Gulf Islands, Discovery Islands

[skunther]

I formerly had Boat US and now have Progressive. I fortunately have not needed towing at any time but if I do, does Progressive provide adequate towing coverage in these cruising grounds? Or should I get additional coverage for cruising in BC?

Of course our sailboat has two methods of propulsion, so towing isn’t as relevant as for a power boat. Not sure if it’s even necessary. I just don’t want to find out the hard way that I need it and not have it.

 

[Terry Cox]

Both regions have boat towing services. Your insurance company, or your policy, can tell you what kind of specific towing coverage you have here and in BC. I would start there. Much like car towing service, location of your car in distress, location of towing company, towing destination, etc., all should factor into your policy coverage.

 

[jssailem]

You can use BoatUS, buy the towing, without the GIECO insurance policy.

https://www.boatus.com/products-and-services/membership/plans

 

[marcham]

Most policies cover at least $5000 in towing and usually with no deductable .... Tows are about CAD 330 an hour (from their dock, back to their dock). I can't imagine more than a 5-8 hr tow bill in the Gulf Islands....

No need to buy BoatUs or CTow in Canada if your insurance policy includes tow coverage.

I wouldn't worry about finding a tow anywhere between Seattle and Haynes AK.... there's plenty of services available up and down the coast.

If ever you need help finding the closest tow service in Canada, call the CCG on 83A (10-83).

 

[BCsailor-skier]

"I wouldn't worry about finding a tow anywhere between Seattle and Haynes AK.... there's plenty of services available up and down the coast."

Hmmmm... North of Vancouver Island to below Prince Rupert, I would say "towing services" are few and (very) far between.

 

[marcham]

"I wouldn't worry about finding a tow anywhere between Seattle and Haynes AK.... there's plenty of services available up and down the coast."

Hmmmm... North of Vancouver Island to below Prince Rupert, I would say "towing services" are few and (very) far between.

It's really not that remote ....even doing 5 kts by sailboat from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, you cross a village /dock twice a day. A tow boat will do 30 kts to get to you, so there's nowhere they can't get to in just a few hours. There's constant marine traffic. There's workboats everywhere on the BC coast and they all need support / mechanics / repairs. Aquiculture use crew transport boats that double as cargo/food/gear delivery and towing when needed. Just look at the AIS map. There are many Pacific cruising grounds where one would be more isolated. Boaters help each other out in these parts. In a rush for a repair? parts can be flown-in by floatplane, as can mechanics. If it's in stock in Vancouver, you can usually get it in 2 days. There's commercial air service to Prince Rupert, Bella Bella and Port Hardy. On top of that, there's daily float plane service to dozens of locations along the coast.

Haynes to Anchorage is a different matter. You're more exposed, there are fewer ports of refuge and less traffic.

Do round the world cruisers buy towing service insurance? This ain't florida where 100 boats will pass one that is adrift without blinking an eye. Just go and have fun...

 

[jssailem]

The waters of BC and southern Alaska require the best out of skipper. Plan for the worst and enjoy the best. We have it better than power boats. Our primary power are the sails.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I formerly had Boat US and now have Progressive. I fortunately have not needed towing at any time but if I do, does Progressive provide adequate towing coverage in these cruising grounds? Or should I get additional coverage for cruising in BC?

Of course our sailboat has two methods of propulsion, so towing isn’t as relevant as for a power boat. Not sure if it’s even necessary. I just don’t want to find out the hard way that I need it and not have it.

When I have a question like this I talk directly to the provider(s)—in this case your local (if any) Progressive agent or broker. What sites/harbors are staffed to respond to tow requests? What charges/requests are likely not covered? For example, will they fetch you from anchored, etc.? What happens in the case of an imminent grounding but tow has not arrived? Does it become “salvage?” Very swift tidal flows in those parts to be considered.

Cruising off central California (Port San Luis) I found that the close (to me) harbors were not staffed with Vessel Assist. The local harbor boats would come out (to a certain distance) and tow. I would have pay them directly and be reimbursed by my insurance, BOATUS. I then called BOATUS to such an authorization; i.e. the use of harbor skippers by reimbursement for services. It all seemed to be rather informal (ad hoc). I did not really like the answers I was getting but took them under advisement. However, BOATUS did confirm that that was their arrangement with those central coast harbors.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Of course our sailboat has two methods of propulsion, so towing isn’t as relevant as for a power boat. Not sure if it’s even necessary. I just don’t want to find out the hard way that I need it and not have it.

The degree of relevance of having adequate towing insurance for sailboats versus power during a cruise, will be in the "eyes of the beholder." If you cannot "sail out of danger", quickly in some instances, then there would be no difference. When might this happen? Motoring into the harbor with sails stowed in anticipation of docking and the diesel conks out; a little piece of grunge from inside the fuel tank fouls the pick up. Now what? Wind is 15 kt, it's approaching evening twilight, and you're near shore with not much room leeward. Call harbor patrol and let go the anchor? Same as might be for a power boat, etc. There are many hypotheticals. None pretty.

 

[danm1]

I have Progressive and have used the towing coverage on the East Coast. Technically, you are supposed to call their toll free number and then they dispatch the closest provider--Sea Tow or Tow Boat or some local marina. It worked for me. Another time (yeah, another time), I was aground and some passing boater called Sea Tow before I even got to call Progressive. They took my insurance policy number, did all the paperwork, and I never heard anything more from either of them. All in all, very satisfied.