from Michigan to Florida, tow boat-boat US ?

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Dean5735

Dean5735

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Aug 31, 2007
296
Catalina 30 Petoskey, Mich.
For my adventure from Petoskey Mi. to Florida, which will start Aug. 1st. I am wondering if I should join Tow Boat, or Boat US. I have never had either but should have something especially by the tiime we get to the E. Canal and the ICW.

I have cked thier websites and it appears that they will all work together if one doesn't have coverage in a certian area. Just wondering which "company" may be easier to deal with or more organized that the other.

Thanks, Dean
 
RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Both TowBoat/US and SeaTow seem equal in service and availability.

Especially for the areas of large tides and shifting bottoms of SC, GA, Northern FL consider to obtain 'unlimited towing'. Unlimited towing is a VERY good deal.
As an example - A friend of mine blew an engine in the Bahamas and TowBoat/US
came from and towed him all the way back to Florida ... over 100 miles each way and at NO extra charge. Would have cost him many many $thousands without 'unlimited towing'. Unlimited towing however does not include 'hard' groundings or other 'salvage'.

I prefer/use TowBoat/US.
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,341
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
An alternative is to have NO tow boat contract but rather include it in your boat's insurance policy coverage. It adds little to the premium and affords you the luxury of calling any tow vessel and watch them race to the scene. In the years I've had this coverage, I have used it two or three times and the underwriter never increased our premium as a result.

Another advantage is that it is unlimited in the amount of coverage and costs roughly $8/year additional. Not all underwriters are the same but you have a good reason to check with your travel plans and uncertainty regarding which company services your travel areas.
 
B

bobtigar

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Sep 29, 2008
162
Morgan Out Island 33 Pompano Beach
Seatow once agreed to service me in The Bahamas, then denied it unless I paid for out of area coverage-$1000. Boat US specifically agrees to the areas of The Bahamas they cover. While this is not an area you will be in, from a stand point of honor, I vote for Boat US. Bob
 
J

jfmid

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Jan 31, 2010
152
Oday 27 LE Manahawkin, NJ
Boat US gets my vote hands down. Quick (within reason on holidays), courteous, friendly, knowledgeable, and $$$ CHEAP $$$ compared to the alternatives. Good luck on the adventure and let us know how it goes.
 
T

tommays

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Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
I have boats US BUT

Each area is a independent franchise that does answer to the company but may or may not give the same level of service
 
Chuckbear

Chuckbear

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Jan 3, 2009
821
Marine Trader 34 Where Ever I am
Dean, You say Towboat and BoatUS, they are the same, I assume you are referring to Sea Tow. Both will give you excellent coverage and service. We have used both and can not recommend one over another. But coming out of the Great Lakes, be aware that BoatUS has a fresh water coverage and salt water coverage so make sure you understand what you are getting. There are other subtle coverage issues you need to check into with BoatUS. I don't believe Sea Tow has any of these issues. Chuck
 
Lee Coller

Lee Coller

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Oct 22, 2005
257
Hunter 44DS Redondo Beach, CA
Chuckbear said:
Dean, You say Towboat and BoatUS, they are the same
Click to expand
Not quite, Boat US doesn't operate towing services themselves, they contract with others to supply the service (such as Towboat and Vessel Assist). If you sign up with one of the operators, you only get coverage where they operate, if you sign up with Boat US, you get coverage every where they have contracts with towing services.
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

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May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Tow Boats US

I would not recommend Sea Tow. I used them recently in Fl. because there was not a Tow Boats US close enough, and I was getting pounded pretty good. The wind was blowing 35 + towards even shallower water. So my first objective was to get off. Sea Tow does not, I learned, according the the guy who towed me, have completely free towing. Their insurance does eliminate the hourly charges, but they have a per foot charge that you pay regardless. From what I was told by this individual, the per foot charge varies, depending on weather, time of day, and whatever else they take into consideration, but according to him, is less if you have their insurance. This is my only experience with them, and I'm sure others have not had the same experience and are totally satisfied. But for me, I will not buy Sea Tow insurance. PERIOD
 
Chuckbear

Chuckbear

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Jan 3, 2009
821
Marine Trader 34 Where Ever I am
Lee Coller said:
Not quite, Boat US doesn't operate towing services themselves, they contract with others to supply the service (such as Towboat and Vessel Assist). If you sign up with one of the operators, you only get coverage where they operate, if you sign up with Boat US, you get coverage every where they have contracts with towing services.
Click to expand
Not quite, they are TowBoatUS, they are franchises, not contarcted by, BoatUS, did not say BoatUS owns them. You get coverage from BoatUS, BUT they have different coverage, as I mentioned, fresh water coverage and salt water coverage. If you have one you do not necessarily have both. and having one may exclude you from having coverage in other waters so you do not in fact get coverage everywhere there is a TowBoatUS, you have to look at the plan you are buying and be sure and understand the limitations. You can get coverage for both fresh and salt, but be sure that is what you are paying for. Chuck
 
S

SeaRanch

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Oct 6, 2007
103
Catalina 387 Panama City, FL
For the few hundred dollars that it cost, I purchase unlimted towing from BOTH.
I have heard tales of both services having good and bad issues. I purchase both so I can choose, based on what area I am in and who has the best service there.

Here in Panama City Sea Tow has the best service. I recently had a "hard grounding", called Sea Tow and they did an excellent job. Hard grounding is not covered in the "towing service" only "soft grounding" is covered. It did cost me a pretty penny, but they treated me very fair on the bill and I was off with no damage.

When I was purchasing insurance, Sea Tow would not insure my sailboat because it exceeded their "limits", however Boat US covered it with no problems.

Bill
 
L

Larry14133

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Jul 17, 2006
75
Oday 302 Port Henry
Boat US+++

Two years ago i hit a log and disabled the rudder. Boat us told me their nearest tow boat was 100 miles away and authorized me to contact a local tow boat and they cover the cost. I faxed in the bill on Monday and had a check by Friday. Great service!
 
Rick I

Rick I

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Jan 6, 2007
414
CS36Merlin and Beneteau 393 - Toronto
Whatever you do, don't leave home without coverage. Don't rely on your boat policy coverage. Towing costs add up fast!! I started with SeaTow many years ago but for the last ten years have gone with TowboatUS. I switched to TowboatUS after travelling with a buddy in the Chesapeake who ran aground. He had SeaTow and they would not pull him off claiming it was a "hard" grounding. He floated off on the next tide. In 20 years up and down the Waterway I've used my insurance once and that was two years ago when I broke down on a windless day crossing to the Bahamas. The insurance is a bargain even if you never need to use it. It gives peace of mind and that's a big factor. I think the simplest tow these days is about $600 so get the insurance and hope never to use it.
 
M

Mario G

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Jul 17, 2009
94
Endeavour/Chrysler E-32/C-22 swimming pool
Our only experiance with Tow Boat US is knowing they paid a boat to go to the place we were grounded, I have a hard head and got us free after the 1st mate called them, I radio reseption was very spoty and couldn't tell them we were free. I try knot to call them but its nice to know thier there.
 
A

adirondackbob

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Sep 27, 2008
95
Catalina 30 Lake Champlain
Dean, I'd second Chuck's suggestion that if you go with Boat US, make sure you have coverage for both coastal and inland waters. I recently moved my boat from Rhode Island to Lake Champlain, and I decided to get full towing coverage from Boat US (which is also the company I use to insure my boat). They were very helpful and ( think) reasonable, making sure that I understood the limits of my current coverage so that I could make the right adjustments. In the end, I made the trip feeling confident about the coverage I purchased. I agree with others who made the point that it's worth having the full towing package even if you never have to use it. We didn't need it, but it was good to know it was there.

Bob
 
Dean5735

Dean5735

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Aug 31, 2007
296
Catalina 30 Petoskey, Mich.
I would like to thank everyone that provided adivise here !!! I will not leave home without it !!! I have progressive insurance and will call them to see about towing, I read the booklet that came with it and didn't see anything. I worked at West M. for a summer and most people were very happy with Boat US.
I will be sure to ck on both inland and coastal, I don't take chances on anything if I can help it.

Thanks Again, Dean

Follow our journey here:
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/blowinganddrifting.com/?show=contents

and here :
http://www.youtube.com/user/blowinganddrifting
 
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