BoatUS vs. SeaTow in Naples, FL area
- Thread starter Vegas
- Start date
We have been TowBoat/US members for a very long time. I had not used the services until I began sailing in SW Florida. We sail 2 or 3 times each week during the winter. I have been aground twice and had different engine failures three times in 9 years.
I have always received professional, prompt, and nonjudgmental service from the TowBoat/US Captains. We sail out of Bokeelia where one of the TowBoat/US groups keeps their boats.
On the other hand, I do see many of the yellow Sea Tow boats floating around the "problem areas" like sand bars and "Miserable Mile". I have not compared prices for services per year.
I have always received professional, prompt, and nonjudgmental service from the TowBoat/US Captains. We sail out of Bokeelia where one of the TowBoat/US groups keeps their boats.On the other hand, I do see many of the yellow Sea Tow boats floating around the "problem areas" like sand bars and "Miserable Mile". I have not compared prices for services per year.
On the Caloosahatchee River up from the Sanibel Bridge....Marker 101 to St James City. Narrow channel with LOTS of boat traffic and a powerful cross current depending on the tidal flow. Phil
We used Tow Boat US in Sarasota. Maps and Chartplotter said 8 - 10 feet in the area we were in. It was more like 3 1\2 feet. Only took him a minute to get us back in deeper water, but this is going the extra mile for service. He said as long as he did not get another call to follow him and he will show us where it is deepest coming into the channel. Also showed us the best route through the channel. He could have blasted at 30 knots and been kicking back at the dock, instead he spent an hour showing us the local waters. Awesome captain.
Re: Towboat
Sea-tow for several years in southwest Florida. Switched to Towboat US because they covered the captain not the boat like Sea-Tow. I was operating more than one boat
So it made sense to switch. Since then Sea-Tow has changed policy. Both operations
we're always there for me. Tow Boat membership gets discount at West Marine.
Sea-tow for several years in southwest Florida. Switched to Towboat US because they covered the captain not the boat like Sea-Tow. I was operating more than one boat
So it made sense to switch. Since then Sea-Tow has changed policy. Both operations
we're always there for me. Tow Boat membership gets discount at West Marine.
I'm admittedly prejudiced towards Seatow since the company was started and is headquartered here in Southold NY. The founder, recently passed, was a very well regarded member of the community and a generous individual whom the town mourns.
But that doesn't mean an individual franchise is necessarily better than another company.
With regard to Rick's story I just might ask - was the Seatow operator wrong to seek to delay the operation until high tide? It sounds like the other guy worked pretty hard, for a long time, putting more wear and tear on both vessels, when a few hours later it would have much easier. Just asking if that's a fair comparison... I do understand the "Can Do" service generates good will which is important for any business. So maybe that franchisee needs some training in communication. As I was taught the answer is "Yes" even if it's "Yes, I can't help."
But that doesn't mean an individual franchise is necessarily better than another company.
With regard to Rick's story I just might ask - was the Seatow operator wrong to seek to delay the operation until high tide? It sounds like the other guy worked pretty hard, for a long time, putting more wear and tear on both vessels, when a few hours later it would have much easier. Just asking if that's a fair comparison... I do understand the "Can Do" service generates good will which is important for any business. So maybe that franchisee needs some training in communication. As I was taught the answer is "Yes" even if it's "Yes, I can't help."
I expect when I pay my rates, barring bad weather, they are coming when I call. To tell me to wait for the tide to come in would have me pissed. Should I arbitaraly decide how much I want to pay for the service every month or when I want to pay it?
I call, you come, or I get a company that honors their contract.
I call, you come, or I get a company that honors their contract.
Difference in Business Models
I crewed for TowBoat a while back when a friend of mine was a Captain for the local franchise. This was how I learned of the difference. The local Seatow franchise makes its money selling memberships and does not make any additional money when doing a tow or other services. Tow boat guys only make money when they go out.
The earlier experience I had in south Florida bears this out. Seatow was called initially because it was the first card the owner came across in his wallet and they would have had no idea how stuck we were until they started trying to tug us out. The Towboat guy was headed north with another boat in tow and stopped on his way south after he dropped that one off. BTW it was neither the boat owner nor I at the helm when the chucklehead ran us aground it was the third time he had done so on that trip and the second time that day. When he left the boat I do not think he was ever asked back on it again.
I crewed for TowBoat a while back when a friend of mine was a Captain for the local franchise. This was how I learned of the difference. The local Seatow franchise makes its money selling memberships and does not make any additional money when doing a tow or other services. Tow boat guys only make money when they go out.
The earlier experience I had in south Florida bears this out. Seatow was called initially because it was the first card the owner came across in his wallet and they would have had no idea how stuck we were until they started trying to tug us out. The Towboat guy was headed north with another boat in tow and stopped on his way south after he dropped that one off. BTW it was neither the boat owner nor I at the helm when the chucklehead ran us aground it was the third time he had done so on that trip and the second time that day. When he left the boat I do not think he was ever asked back on it again.
A fair stance.
And that has always been our experience locally. But then I know the local franchisee personally. All the locals do.
My point was maybe the guy made the right call. He arguably may have had the best interest of the client in mind. I encounter many in my business life who want what they want when they want it. Many would be better served by taking advice that is in their interest.
Or maybe the franchisee is a dirtbag, who's drinking beer while he shirks his business responsibilities as his investment in a boat and a franchise goes down the drain. One seems unlikely.
I said at the outset that I am biased.
And that has always been our experience locally. But then I know the local franchisee personally. All the locals do.
My point was maybe the guy made the right call. He arguably may have had the best interest of the client in mind. I encounter many in my business life who want what they want when they want it. Many would be better served by taking advice that is in their interest.
Or maybe the franchisee is a dirtbag, who's drinking beer while he shirks his business responsibilities as his investment in a boat and a franchise goes down the drain. One seems unlikely.
I said at the outset that I am biased.
This my problem with a tow captain saying we will be there when the tide comes up. They have no idea over the phone if you are soft or hard grounded. They have no idea how close to deep water you are. If you are soft grounded as the tide comes up the wind and current can keep you pushed into shallower water getting farther and farther away from deeper water. There is just no good reason for me that a tow boat captain ignores your call for assistance when you have a contract with them to respond. Outside bad weather that puts him in danger.