BoatUs and Seatow

[MIKE RGR]

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

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by MIKE RGR

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

For insurance and towing. Highly recommended!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by MIKE RGR

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

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!

[Phantom]

$85 for piece of mind ? Your decision.

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

[MIKE RGR]

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

[Rich]

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.

[Phantom]

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.

[VitaBene]

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

[SAMIAM]

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.

[Descant]

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.

[TheRoBoat]

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

[Major]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

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

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!

[Woodsy]

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


Woodsy

[Barney Bear]

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! ��

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

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


Woodsy

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

[Woodsy]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

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

[MIKE RGR]

Evening ALL

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

Thanks
mike

[Descant]

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

[MIKE RGR]

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

mike

[znh]

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...

[Dave M]

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

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by znh

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...

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

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Dave M

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

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

Dan

[Weekend Pundit]

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!

[Dave M]

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
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
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

[Rich]

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.

[thinkxingu]

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

[Descant]

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.