I am thinking of subscribing to a Canadian (and they claim the only) tow service in case I need them; the company is called C Tow. What's holding me back is that on a sailboat, as long as the wind comes eventually, do I really need to subscribe to a tow service? Have any here subscribe to an equivalent service company; and, do you feel you really need it owning a sailboat?
Subscribing to boat tow service - equivalent AAA
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Jerry Clark H356 SV Persistence
Tow service for running agound!
I have unlimited towing from BoatUS - costs about $100 per year. I have been sailing since 1998 and have been aground twice. In my first boat, a H260, I was able to get myself off. This last time, BoatUS got me off and the cost would have been around $275 - if I hadn't had the insurance. They were very professional and it cost nothing. Like they say "There are those that have gone aground and those that are going to!
I have unlimited towing from BoatUS - costs about $100 per year. I have been sailing since 1998 and have been aground twice. In my first boat, a H260, I was able to get myself off. This last time, BoatUS got me off and the cost would have been around $275 - if I hadn't had the insurance. They were very professional and it cost nothing. Like they say "There are those that have gone aground and those that are going to!
towing insurance
I just finished researching insurance coverage for our new boat and they all included some towing coverage - ranging from $500 to $5,000 per occurance. I assume all policies have some towing coverage. Is their an advantage to having extra coverage through BoatUS, Sea Tow, or C Tow? The one reason I've heard is that you don't want to file a claim with your main insurance company if you don't have to - but then why carry coverage?
I just finished researching insurance coverage for our new boat and they all included some towing coverage - ranging from $500 to $5,000 per occurance. I assume all policies have some towing coverage. Is their an advantage to having extra coverage through BoatUS, Sea Tow, or C Tow? The one reason I've heard is that you don't want to file a claim with your main insurance company if you don't have to - but then why carry coverage?
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Pete
Best boat money I've spent
Aground? Been there, done that -- and will probably be there again. Like Jerry said, my BoatUS unlimited tow policy is money well spent. The last time I grounded (blown out of a narrow, winding channel by a 45-knot headwind), the local TowBoatUS guy was there in almost no time, and fought adverse conditions to drag me off and haul me to my marina, about two miles upriver. Had I not been insured, the tow would've cost me more than $900! The tow insurance premium is the best boat money I've ever spent. Pete s/v EmmieLou (ODay 322) Little Silver, NJ
Aground? Been there, done that -- and will probably be there again. Like Jerry said, my BoatUS unlimited tow policy is money well spent. The last time I grounded (blown out of a narrow, winding channel by a 45-knot headwind), the local TowBoatUS guy was there in almost no time, and fought adverse conditions to drag me off and haul me to my marina, about two miles upriver. Had I not been insured, the tow would've cost me more than $900! The tow insurance premium is the best boat money I've ever spent. Pete s/v EmmieLou (ODay 322) Little Silver, NJ
Vessel Assist is well worth the money
I have been in a situation where the wind died along with my engine and the currents were taking us into shipping lanes as night fell. The tow (Vessel Assist) took 7+ hours and we were taken back through the Ballard Locks and in our slip at 0530 (AM). That would have cost us over $2k. Vessel Assist is the only service I have had experience with. I have used them twice and highly recommend them. Insurance riders I have seen usually offer far less coverage for the same or greater cost. There are deductibles and usual insurance company limits. I have seen some insurance riders which provide car rental coverage if you become stranded in a distant port and that is certainly something to consider since I have had need for that too on a couple of occasions. Vessel Assist also provides other services like message relaying etc. Vessel Assist will also provide you assistance when on another persons boat if you choose that coverage.
I have been in a situation where the wind died along with my engine and the currents were taking us into shipping lanes as night fell. The tow (Vessel Assist) took 7+ hours and we were taken back through the Ballard Locks and in our slip at 0530 (AM). That would have cost us over $2k. Vessel Assist is the only service I have had experience with. I have used them twice and highly recommend them. Insurance riders I have seen usually offer far less coverage for the same or greater cost. There are deductibles and usual insurance company limits. I have seen some insurance riders which provide car rental coverage if you become stranded in a distant port and that is certainly something to consider since I have had need for that too on a couple of occasions. Vessel Assist also provides other services like message relaying etc. Vessel Assist will also provide you assistance when on another persons boat if you choose that coverage.
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Neil Hodgson
For the sake of
$120, you, and a friend, with Tow Boat US will receive unlimited tows and soft grounding recoveries for a year. I have been sailing for........ not very long!!!!!...........and have had my 29.5 for just over 3 months now and have bumped the bottom once. My momentum prevented me form sticking I am sure, and I did no damage, but sialed on my merry way. I know full darn well I am going to go aground: night follows day, water is wet and grass is green. I will go aground. I would hate to have whip out the check book when I do. $120????? what is wrong with people??? If can afford the boat, you cannot afford to not have the insurance, main policy coverage or not, how would you sleep at night?
$120, you, and a friend, with Tow Boat US will receive unlimited tows and soft grounding recoveries for a year. I have been sailing for........ not very long!!!!!...........and have had my 29.5 for just over 3 months now and have bumped the bottom once. My momentum prevented me form sticking I am sure, and I did no damage, but sialed on my merry way. I know full darn well I am going to go aground: night follows day, water is wet and grass is green. I will go aground. I would hate to have whip out the check book when I do. $120????? what is wrong with people??? If can afford the boat, you cannot afford to not have the insurance, main policy coverage or not, how would you sleep at night?
Another example
Coming back from Bermuda to an unfamiliar North Carolina coast, we motored thru squalls and ran short of fuel. BoatUS brought fuel out to sea so we could get into channels, and the Coast Guard kindly offered to escort us thru the hurricane-changed channels. The only idiots were the customs agents who turned purple that we did not enter a port where they were. We stymied them with a 'port-of-refuge' defense.
Coming back from Bermuda to an unfamiliar North Carolina coast, we motored thru squalls and ran short of fuel. BoatUS brought fuel out to sea so we could get into channels, and the Coast Guard kindly offered to escort us thru the hurricane-changed channels. The only idiots were the customs agents who turned purple that we did not enter a port where they were. We stymied them with a 'port-of-refuge' defense.
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Doug H-36
Depends where you are
If you are sailing in US waters a lot it is good to have the coverage. In Canadian waters there is currently no charge for coast guard assistance (done that last year.). This does not mean that if you are in Canadian water but a US tow boat offers to assist you will have to pay him. Last year I was ofered assistance from CCG and a US tow company. I excepted assistance from CCG and there was no charge. In poor conditions I would except from shortest ETA.
If you are sailing in US waters a lot it is good to have the coverage. In Canadian waters there is currently no charge for coast guard assistance (done that last year.). This does not mean that if you are in Canadian water but a US tow boat offers to assist you will have to pay him. Last year I was ofered assistance from CCG and a US tow company. I excepted assistance from CCG and there was no charge. In poor conditions I would except from shortest ETA.
Doug - Canadian Coast Guard
Concerning assistance from the Canadian Coast Guard, it is my understanding they are slowing getting more hard nosed about assistance. I talked to a chap who was asked - after his May Day call - if he was in a scenario of "life and limb;" he said "No" and was told to seek assistance elsewhere - he was aground. Naturally minutes latter a call came from a "salvage company" to render assistance; he said "No." Per square mile, we have less Coast Guard than the American experience and I am all for reducing the Coast Guard role to crucial scenarios. Based on the replies here it looks like I will subscribe to C Tow.
Concerning assistance from the Canadian Coast Guard, it is my understanding they are slowing getting more hard nosed about assistance. I talked to a chap who was asked - after his May Day call - if he was in a scenario of "life and limb;" he said "No" and was told to seek assistance elsewhere - he was aground. Naturally minutes latter a call came from a "salvage company" to render assistance; he said "No." Per square mile, we have less Coast Guard than the American experience and I am all for reducing the Coast Guard role to crucial scenarios. Based on the replies here it looks like I will subscribe to C Tow.
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Tony
get the coverage
Get the coverage get the unlimited option 120/yr in noise level of ownership costs one tow in Chesapeake will easily be 6-800 US Further, the towboat people have no issues as to w/n they will be paid when you reel off the customer # when they ask ( and it is their very FIRST question) t
Get the coverage get the unlimited option 120/yr in noise level of ownership costs one tow in Chesapeake will easily be 6-800 US Further, the towboat people have no issues as to w/n they will be paid when you reel off the customer # when they ask ( and it is their very FIRST question) t
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Doug H-36
rsn 48
I had assists last July by CCG no charge no problem. Even if there are few per square mile there are even less Comercial opreators.On Lake Erie CCG contract Auxiliary Boats. In our case a local charter boat. CCG pays him for service. Unless on patrol nearest CCG boat is 75 miles away, nearest Canadian tow company 3,000 miles away, nearest US tow boat 60 miles. Make sure the police covers assistance from US tow service even in Canadian waters.
I had assists last July by CCG no charge no problem. Even if there are few per square mile there are even less Comercial opreators.On Lake Erie CCG contract Auxiliary Boats. In our case a local charter boat. CCG pays him for service. Unless on patrol nearest CCG boat is 75 miles away, nearest Canadian tow company 3,000 miles away, nearest US tow boat 60 miles. Make sure the police covers assistance from US tow service even in Canadian waters.
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Capt Ron;-)
Assist starts at home
Vessel Assist is a good service, IF THEY HAVE SERVICE, lotta blacked out spots, example, from Monterey Bay to Santa Barbara, but unless there was a huge change the USCG does not charge you for a tow. Keep a PUMPED inflatable on deck, and a 10 to 15 h.p. engine and ten + gallons of gasoline, and a good hook, 35 lb CQR or Bruce with 25ft of chain and 100 ft of rode. You can kedge off most palces before any one can get to you. Raft the sport-boat up amid-ships tie off and start out slowly, pick up some speed then steer from the 'mother' ship.this 'rafting' technique works very well to get you out of danger or safe enough to anchor in a haven. I have used it to get all the way to a berth before. I would recommend Vessel Assist too, if theya re around, do they ahve it in Sydney harbor? Seems like I did see one of their tow boats there.
Vessel Assist is a good service, IF THEY HAVE SERVICE, lotta blacked out spots, example, from Monterey Bay to Santa Barbara, but unless there was a huge change the USCG does not charge you for a tow. Keep a PUMPED inflatable on deck, and a 10 to 15 h.p. engine and ten + gallons of gasoline, and a good hook, 35 lb CQR or Bruce with 25ft of chain and 100 ft of rode. You can kedge off most palces before any one can get to you. Raft the sport-boat up amid-ships tie off and start out slowly, pick up some speed then steer from the 'mother' ship.this 'rafting' technique works very well to get you out of danger or safe enough to anchor in a haven. I have used it to get all the way to a berth before. I would recommend Vessel Assist too, if theya re around, do they ahve it in Sydney harbor? Seems like I did see one of their tow boats there.
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