Just an fyi for those interested in acquiring the benefits, the annual membership fee goes from $14/yr to $19/yr effective Feb 1. Don
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I'm not a flack...
... for BoatUS/West Marine and haven't gotten any notice of an increase as yet, but when I think of the disasters they've had to cope with over the past few years, a $5 increase doesn't seem bad. I lost a boat to Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and Boat US insurance service and compensation for the loss was, well, spectacular considering the magnitude of the event. They are also doing some effective lobbying on issues impacting all boaters, too. Finally, whenever you spend a certain amount in their stores, you get a $15 coupon which more than offsets a modest increase in membership. Membership costs less than a magazine subscription and is, IMHO, a bargain.
... for BoatUS/West Marine and haven't gotten any notice of an increase as yet, but when I think of the disasters they've had to cope with over the past few years, a $5 increase doesn't seem bad. I lost a boat to Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and Boat US insurance service and compensation for the loss was, well, spectacular considering the magnitude of the event. They are also doing some effective lobbying on issues impacting all boaters, too. Finally, whenever you spend a certain amount in their stores, you get a $15 coupon which more than offsets a modest increase in membership. Membership costs less than a magazine subscription and is, IMHO, a bargain.
Bad Investment
I assume we're talking about BoatUS membership and not their insurance. Once upon a time a joined so I could buy from BoatUS. Then they were sucked up by West (worst) Marine and their pricing got stupid. I don't want their junk mail, credit cards, overpriced insurance quotes and window stickers. They must have got the hint since they stopped sending their crap to me
I assume we're talking about BoatUS membership and not their insurance. Once upon a time a joined so I could buy from BoatUS. Then they were sucked up by West (worst) Marine and their pricing got stupid. I don't want their junk mail, credit cards, overpriced insurance quotes and window stickers. They must have got the hint since they stopped sending their crap to me
Value is in the eye of the beholder
as always. IMHO, although WM is pricey, they are always there and the folks that work the floor are knowledgable boaters. BoatUS started as an owners assoc. and have returned to that. The services offered are well worth the modest subscription. The top of the line insurance quote I got from them was competitive with an agreed hull value 3 times what I paid for the boat. I have no problem with them, and I can always shop the web if price is an issue.
as always. IMHO, although WM is pricey, they are always there and the folks that work the floor are knowledgable boaters. BoatUS started as an owners assoc. and have returned to that. The services offered are well worth the modest subscription. The top of the line insurance quote I got from them was competitive with an agreed hull value 3 times what I paid for the boat. I have no problem with them, and I can always shop the web if price is an issue.
Worth it
I have already paid to renew. I enjoy belonging to the organization. There are many useful and interesting articles in the magazine and the organization is a powerful force to represent boaters. Unlike taxes, we have a choice.
I have already paid to renew. I enjoy belonging to the organization. There are many useful and interesting articles in the magazine and the organization is a powerful force to represent boaters. Unlike taxes, we have a choice.
Paying twice?
I used to get Vessel Assist service through West Marine. I still get Vessel Assist, but now I have to pay BoatUS membership on top of it. I’m not too thrilled about that, because I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the membership itself. I don't like paying just for the privelege of paying, for a service, whether it be towing, or insurance, or anything else.
I used to get Vessel Assist service through West Marine. I still get Vessel Assist, but now I have to pay BoatUS membership on top of it. I’m not too thrilled about that, because I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the membership itself. I don't like paying just for the privelege of paying, for a service, whether it be towing, or insurance, or anything else.
crap
Well well well, just when you thought it was going to get easy on us boaters the ins. co. hit each and every one of us with an increase.What I would like to know is what happens to our payments when there are no disasters, they never go down, just up when they have to pay out. I thought that is what they were in business for, just like the poor farmer when he gets hit by the same storm, they take that risk. Hell if it were that easy I'll start my own ins. co. and charge everone $500.00 a year and hope there are no badguys out there. When was the last time any ins. co. shared their profits with those other than their share holders. We are the ones paying. I think it is about time we put our foot down and told them thanks but no thanks. Lets stick it to the big guys, find some little out of the way co. and give them you business.*box
Well well well, just when you thought it was going to get easy on us boaters the ins. co. hit each and every one of us with an increase.What I would like to know is what happens to our payments when there are no disasters, they never go down, just up when they have to pay out. I thought that is what they were in business for, just like the poor farmer when he gets hit by the same storm, they take that risk. Hell if it were that easy I'll start my own ins. co. and charge everone $500.00 a year and hope there are no badguys out there. When was the last time any ins. co. shared their profits with those other than their share holders. We are the ones paying. I think it is about time we put our foot down and told them thanks but no thanks. Lets stick it to the big guys, find some little out of the way co. and give them you business.*box
Grateful to BoatUS and West Marine
I will cheerfully pay the increase. I have maximum towing coverage, that I paid $114 for a year ago. My first grounding, the first night I launched my 33 foot Columbia, would have cost me $996 out of pocket. I paid nothing. My membership and towing coverage is free for the next 8 years. I also have the BoatUS trailering coverage. I pulled a 30 foot trailer 1200 miles, and had two flats, with no coverage. My cost, including motel room was around $800. With the trailering coverage, I would have spent maybe $160 for tires, and no need for a motel. If memory serves, the trailering coverage costs me an extra $14. In addition to all of this, as is mentioned, I get a $15 certificate for every $300 I spend at West, or BoatUS. I've gotten family and friends discount certificates on a couple of occasions, for 20% discounts. I shop the sales for shoes and sailing wear, and stock up when things are cheap. I have no problem asking the manager for price matching, and the 3 stores that I deal with will special order anything they don't have on hand. And No...I don't work for them. I wish I did. I own 4 sailboats, and I could use the employee discounts. Larry Wilson
I will cheerfully pay the increase. I have maximum towing coverage, that I paid $114 for a year ago. My first grounding, the first night I launched my 33 foot Columbia, would have cost me $996 out of pocket. I paid nothing. My membership and towing coverage is free for the next 8 years. I also have the BoatUS trailering coverage. I pulled a 30 foot trailer 1200 miles, and had two flats, with no coverage. My cost, including motel room was around $800. With the trailering coverage, I would have spent maybe $160 for tires, and no need for a motel. If memory serves, the trailering coverage costs me an extra $14. In addition to all of this, as is mentioned, I get a $15 certificate for every $300 I spend at West, or BoatUS. I've gotten family and friends discount certificates on a couple of occasions, for 20% discounts. I shop the sales for shoes and sailing wear, and stock up when things are cheap. I have no problem asking the manager for price matching, and the 3 stores that I deal with will special order anything they don't have on hand. And No...I don't work for them. I wish I did. I own 4 sailboats, and I could use the employee discounts. Larry Wilson
Boat/US discounted membership
for lots of sailing clubs, yacht clubs, etc. A small group I belong to gets a discount, but no one knew about it until recently. If you belong to anything, ask the officers, ask Boat/US, just keep asking. There's some sort of number your group gets and you submit it with your membership. I'll be doing that when I next renew.
for lots of sailing clubs, yacht clubs, etc. A small group I belong to gets a discount, but no one knew about it until recently. If you belong to anything, ask the officers, ask Boat/US, just keep asking. There's some sort of number your group gets and you submit it with your membership. I'll be doing that when I next renew.
Group Membership fee
I arranged a Group Membership deal for my sailing association. You can get a 50% discount on first-time/renewal memberships. Have an association official call Boat/US to implement the Group Discount. There are minor restrictions that are easily overcome. They will give you a group number to insert on all membership applications and you will automatically get the discount. This is a great perk for sailing clubs. I also take the annual extra (unlimited) towing insurance. As indicted by another poster, I saved myself more than $800 a few years ago when I required a tow because my alternator quit.
I arranged a Group Membership deal for my sailing association. You can get a 50% discount on first-time/renewal memberships. Have an association official call Boat/US to implement the Group Discount. There are minor restrictions that are easily overcome. They will give you a group number to insert on all membership applications and you will automatically get the discount. This is a great perk for sailing clubs. I also take the annual extra (unlimited) towing insurance. As indicted by another poster, I saved myself more than $800 a few years ago when I required a tow because my alternator quit.
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