BoatUs and Seatow
 

Hello All

Im sure this has been covered before but could not find any recent info in "search". About to purchase towing coverage for the season and was looking for other boaters opinions on BoatUs and Seatow.
Thanks in advance for your help

Take care
mike

Used them for years....
 

For insurance and towing. Highly recommended!

If you go with BoatUS, You can get a discount for both membership and towing using group code GA85200B

This works for everyone, both renewing members and new members.

Since my boat is 'lake locked', I get the unlimited freshwater towing, I think the total cost is about $70 with the discount. Your cost could be a bit lower or higher, depending on which options you choose.

Note that I get nothing if you use this code.

More info here:
https://winnigas.com/about#BoatUS
or here
https://www.boatus.com/landing/winnigas/

No matter how you join/renew, just be sure the code GA85200B is entered into your application to get the discount!

$85 for piece of mind ? Your decision.

Tow Boat US is very active on the lake on weekends and is constantly monitoring VHF16.

Thanks
 

Thanks Gary & Rich

No question in my mind about having a towing service.
My main question is, would it be better to have one company over the other ?

Thanks
mike

Either is great! I don't think there is a strong reason to go with one over the other.

I believe they also back up one another if they are too busy.

Pick the one you are most comfortable with.

My first few years, I had SeaTow. But when I switched to BoatUS for insurance, etc. It became easier and less expensive to go with TowBoatUS for me.

Although not a major concern --

TowboatUS is out of Silver Sands & Sea Tow is based at WAM ……….. I am referring to reaction time depending on where you predominately boat.

But as RICH states either is Great.

I went with TowBoatUS. One of our members is a captain for them (Misty Blue)

I prefer BoatUS because of all the other services. I have insurance,towing and trailer coverage and also ordered their boat graphics which you can customize. Also have a great monthly magazine.

I have Boat/US as it is part of the membership package, which renews automatically ever year. A family member had an incident and MP called SeaTow. They were very professional. It was covered under my Progressive boat insurance. My son had an incident a coupe of years ago, Sunday afternoon., He called Boat/US since the number was on the key tag. They called Irwin Marine who ended up doing the towing. Everybody pitches in on the water.
Silver Sands or WAM? When my daughter called once, the captain had taken the boat home and came from Moultonborough. Can't remember which service she called.

We carry both
 

...but have only used SeaTow so far. Great service

Hi John, is TowBoatUS the same as BoatUS? Can you recommend a website? Also, do you recommend the 50% or 100% package?

As an aside, we hired a young woman who know your daughter from college. Good kid. Small world!

Just signed up!
 

Just signed up! $70 with the freshwater unlimited towing!


Woodsy

"Tow, Tow, Tow Your Boat....."
 

Sea Tow brought our son's boat into Fay's Boat Yard from East Bear Island just after Mother's Day. We got a ride to the mainland, leaving the boat at our dock. We did not have to be around when Sea Tow brought the boat in. They did a great job! ��

Hope you never need it....
 

One of those things you buy and try to forget about.

Gary..... I hope I NEVER need it! But I also know my Donzi's Bravo 1 outdrive is getting worn out

$70 for Towboat US is cheap piece of mind (especially considering how much a boat really costs)

Woodsy

Thanks
 

Evening ALL

Just a note to say thanks for all of the responses
They have been most helpful
Much appreciated

Thanks
mike

Don't leaved us hanging...what did you decide? Carry a 6 hp dinghy and self rescue?

BoatUs
 

I went with BoatUs.
$70 is a great deal.
Thanks again for all the responses.

mike

Also, contact your insurance company for your boat, most insurance for boats covers towing to the same extent as Boat US or other similar companies. We had Boat US and recently canceled it as it was basically paying twice for the same coverage / peace of mind...

Fyi
 

I believe this is still true, SEATOW will tow from your home dock as part of the package, BOATUS charges a fee. If your service marina is across the Lake, could run you some bucks. Yes SEATOW costs more but I would want "total" coverage.

Dave M

Yeah, but then you need to pay for the tow and then get reimbursed. Also, you gotta find a place to call. There's something about having an 800 number to call and be done with it.

As for towing from one's home dock, it has been mentioned before to just push off a few feet and anchor out.

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

When I was enrolled with Seatow, they would NOT tow you from your home dock.

Dan

Satisfied with TowBoat US
 

I have been a member of TowBoat US for almost 20 years and they have always been there when I've needed them. There have been three times I've needed assistance and they've always gotten me home!

Seatow questions answered
 

Seatow responding to questions. I think the reply from Barney Bear relates
to this.
No I'm not an agent, just finding out all the facts.

Dave M

From: info@seatow.com <info@seatow.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:19 PM
To: memilley@hotmail.com
Subject: FW: Membership Inquiry

>>>>The dock to dock tows are included in the Gold Membership at no extra charge. Questions / to join call 800-473-2869

Looking forward to serving you as a member !


Sent:6/26/19 8:07 AM
To: Info@seatow.com
Subject: Re: Membership Inquiry

External Email: Do not open attachments or click links from unknown senders or unexpected email.

External Email: Do not open attachments or click links from unknown senders or unexpected email.


>>>>Is that part of the annual fee or is that an additional fee.

From: info@seatow.com <info@seatow.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 4:44 PM
To:
Subject: FW: Membership Inquiry

Hello David,

>>>>Thank you for contacting Sea Tow. Yes, we do offer dock to dock tows. If you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again.


Best regards,

Karen
Sea Tow Member Services

From: no-reply@seatow.com
Sent:6/25/19 11:36 AM
To: Info@seatow.com
Subject: Membership Inquiry

From :- Dave M
A user of the website is trying to contact Sea Tow with the following message:
Member Number:<%MemberNumber%>
Message:

>>>>I would select the Lake membership. Does Seatow service from your home port/dock

Being curious about this, I looked at the BoatUS towing to see how they handle home dock towing, it seems they also offer towing from a home dock if needed for repairs:

From their website:
"BoatUS Towing Service is meant for tows resulting from breakdowns at sea or at restricted use docks. In the event of a breakdown at your home dock or mooring, the Unlimited Service Level will provide for 50% of the cost to tow your boat to a repair facility. The Unlimited Gold Service Level provides for 100% of the cost to tow your disabled boat up to 25 miles from its home dock or mooring to a repair facility. BoatUS Towing Services do not provide for pre-existing conditions or tows from a home dock or mooring in the first 30 days of Membership"

If it isn't obvious the 'Gold' service costs more $$$ ;) It's nice that both of these fine companies offer this type of service.

I've never seen different levels on my registration forms, so I just looked it up. $85 membership is 50% covered for dock to dock, Unlimited Gold is $175. I'll save the $ and anchor off my dock.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

tow from "home" or to "home"?
 

Long time ago, I called from "home" (Welch Island) and was told they didn't cover towing from home. The dispatcher asked a few more questions and she decided that home was not Welch Island, but "Homeport" was MVYC. The towboat arrived promptly, no charge. Pretty sure it was BOAT/US. I've used Seatow as well, calling 293-2800 gets a local person who knows the lake and it's easier to explain your location than it is with a national dispatcher on an 800 number.

Hi All,
Just a note that the code above (GA85200B) still works to make BoatUS $70/year for unlimited towing--I just renewed for the year.

Cheers!

We have Geico/Boat US Insurance for all our boats.

It comes with free towing on the lake. No additional fee is needed.

SeaTow
 

We've had SeaTow and very pleased. Quick response. Very professional.

In 11 years:
> Ran out of gas in mid-Broads (Doh!) and they arrived w/ 5 gallons.
> Dropped our prop and they towed us to the marina.
> Had to have our helm replaced and needed the boat moved from WAM over to Goodhue&Hawkins for repair. SeaTow handled it for us without any issue.

Sounds like they're both good companies.

one major difference between the two is that SeaTow does not charge for Dock to Dock towing, where BoatTowUS does. So if you boat is broke down on the dock and you need a tow you will be paying a discounted tow rate for BoatTowUS, where Seatow will not charge you as it is apart of the package

Also when you call SeaTow you get the local captain directly instead of a dispatch. If you buy Seatow at the boat show it is a discounted rate that stays with you when you renew every year and also you get a $20 or so discount on your renewal with a referral

Sea-Tow all the way!
 

I would highly recommend the local Sea-Tow guy, Ken Factor. As others have indicated, he operates out of West Alton Marina. I am on the home stretch of a horrific experience, where my boat sunk at the dock. I was not at the house and my neighbor phoned me. I called my insurance, Geico/BoatUS. They told me their towing service was not local, and it was my choice who to use. My marina guy said to go with Ken/Sea-Tow.

Ken came over with air bags, a wetsuit, (this was early May and the water was still cold), a giant pump, and lots of other gear. He got the boat pumped out and floating and towed it to the marina. He's a certified diver; a commercial captain; in short, knows his stuff. A nice guy too.

Regarding the "dock to dock" towing...

Yesterday I called the Sea Tow national phone line to add the latest addition to my fleet.

After confirming the details on five power boats the lady asked me which one would I like to be the "primary".

That is the one boat that gets "dock to dock" towing.

Her only concern about the number of boats was that they must all be owned and registered in my name.

For those of you who have a boat located north and south or if you're a boataholic, Sea Tow seems like a reasonable choice.

A couple questions: what do you mean by dock to dock? As best I know, BoatUS will tow you anywhere and the only limit (for the regular plan) is you can't be on your own dock. You just need to be on a dock that is "not permanent."

Also, anyone know if there's a direct line to the lake's BoatUS guy?

Finally, SeaTow is $110? BoatUS is $70 and comes with a magazine and pro-boating advocacy.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Dock to dock means if you are on your home dock (berth) and your boat is broken down that tow to a ramp or anywhere is included in SeaTow services where in BoatTowUS you would pay 50% of the tow.

SeaTow is a litle more but that is cheaper than the tow I just spoke about, I do not know if you have a direct number to the BoatTow guy but I am sure he is a on UHF Channel on your boat radio for call.

As stated earlier Boat shows offer seatow discounts ans also you get discounts for local retails and restaurants, I get it for $99 a year because boat at a boat show. If you get someone to refer you they get a $20 discount on their renewal, just have them buy you a case of beer for that!

Capt Pete
603 897 5585

The dock to dock is easy—just push off and wait/anchor.

I'll look into the direct number—that could be a sell.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Ok, so here's the direct number for BoatUS on Winnipesaukee: 603-293-2300.

I called and Captain Peter Chicklas (sp.?) answered and confirmed that that's the number to call 24/7.

I discovered they also have a local Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TowBoatUSLakeWinnipesaukeeNH/

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Thanks for reminding people about this discount code!

Yes, I try to renew it every year to share with others, even though I get nothing from this myself, other than using the discount to save some money.

Personally, since my boat never leaves the lake, I use the unlimited fresh water option.

Feel free to give the discount code to anyone. Details are here:
https://winnigas.com/about#BoatUS
Also here:
https://www.boatus.com/landing/winnigas/

If SeaTow had a discount code I could also offer, I'd be happy to do it, but I haven't been successful in this regard.

I missed this earlier—I called the number I posted and spoke to Captain Pete. Is this another extension? Have you confirmed it?

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That is the number I have for him.
I had called for a tow last year from Margate sandbar and that is the number he gave me.

While this is true and have thought about it, Ken is great he will pick up your boat while you are not there and deliver it where it needs to go. Say during the week while you are at work, but broke down on a Sunday

Understood. My boat insurance has towing, so I don't even need the extra coverage, but for $70 I get the direct line, magazine, and advocacy. I don't see the value in the extra $40.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

The towing on your policy, make sure it is regular towing including and not just only if it is triggered in a covered loss. It depends on the carrier and the policy. Also some carriers count the tow as a loss against your policy

You work for SeaTow or something?!

JK, but I'll be talking to my agent soon anyway and will ask him.

Cheers!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I’ve had to use TowBoat US once on the lake. It was a great experience (other than the busted boat part) and I was glad I had the coverage. I’ve been a long time supporter of BoatUS and all of their programs to include insurance on my boat and trailer. I’ve never heard a bad thing about SeaTow but I like the convenience of one stop shopping with BoatUS.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

hahaha no, but I really like them

I am an insurance agent by week, fisherman/boater by weekend

week vs weekend
 

If you sold the place in Maynard you could probably get that ratio in better alignment.

Speaking to which company will handle your claim better, I have input.

Maybe 20 years ago or so I was trailering our 25 footer back from Florida. The boat came off the trailer on 95 at speed in South Carolina. The first repair facility in SC did a terrible job. The second place in NH did better, but still not right. BoatUs insurance claims guy said keep at it until it's right. The third place finished the repairs properly.

The eventual costs of repairs were probably higher than the cost for a new boat, but BoatUs stood by me the whole time.

They continue to be my choice for boat insurance AND for towing insurance.

I Know but the commute would be terrible, Our Industry can't work fully from home yet, if I worked for a carrier I could. I could be fishing and working at the same time

Find a good one stay with them even though prices change