TowBoatUS or Sea Tow in Pensacola

Aug 26, 2006
122
Hunter H380 Palafox Pier Pensacola
I am looking for opinions and input on whether to use BoatUS or Sea Tow for towing insurance. This is my first season sailing out of Pensacola having moved from Lake Erie. I have no complaints with BoatUS who I had in Ohio, but I do hear a lot of traffic with SeaTow on the radio. My policy with BoatUS ends 30Jun.

Thanks
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,093
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Tow Boat on Lake Pontchartrain.. It seems like there are more Tow Boat franchises on the Gulf Coast.. Only one experience ..and it was great. On a friend's O'Day 292.. engine problems they came and got us about 40 miles south of Caribelle FL and pulled us into Caribelle .. 2 AM call and they were out to us in three hours. As a result I bought the Gold package after that event a couple of years ago..
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Definitely TowBoat

SeaTow has some wonderful guys but Towboat's business model makes it more attractive to the customer needing assistance out on the water.
 
Aug 26, 2006
122
Hunter H380 Palafox Pier Pensacola
SeaTow has some wonderful guys but Towboat's business model makes it more attractive to the customer needing assistance out on the water.
Rick, How do the business models differ?
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,435
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Although it may not be intuitive to folks generally sailing in a limited area but I'll make this suggestion again as I have when others asked similar questions.

There is nothing more comforting than calling for a tow and watch competing companies race to beat each other to the scene. You too can enjoy that by not signing a contract with any specific company but rather just add tow insurance to your existing liability policy and calling "any tow boat" on the radio if ever you need a tow.

Doing so costs only a few $$$ in my experience ( our underwriter charges us $8/year for the added endorsement) covers the entire cost of a tow and won't trigger premium increases just for that service. Additionally, the wait time will likely be less and for those of us who sail widely, the coverage is invaluable when only local tow operators exist.

Frankly, I don't know of any reason why anyone pays annual membership fees to a single service company.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,554
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Business Model

Both are franchises, Sea Tow franchisees make their money on memberships, Towboat gets paid when they provide services.
 
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