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Ready to procure boat towing insurance. Always figured on Sea Tow, however have read some less than complimentary reports on their service both here and in the state (Florida) press. What alternatives are there? Is SeaTow reliable? Does it depend on geographic location?
Well I have both TowBoatUs and Seatow. I live in Deltona and use both the St. Johns river and the IC waterway. TowboatUs is the only service on the St.Johns.
Since I have had my insurance I have had to us it twice. I called a distress call and both Seatow and Towboat came up instantly, I chose to follow through with Seatow out of Lighthouse point in Ponce Inlet.
I had picked up a crab pot north of the last bridge past Daytona. Seatow responded by trailering a tow boat up to the closest ramp (this was quicker) they were there in under 45 mins. We were anchored out of the channel so we were safe. The seatow capt. towed us to the ramp, helped us pull the props, clear the trap and tried to get underway again. This failed due to damage, he then trailed his boat and drove me back to Halifax to get my trailer. He spent at least 2 hours with us not even considering his trailer time and it was completely covered by our policy. The service and effort was 1st class. The 2nd time we went dead just south of the Dunlotten bridge in the channel, I again called for help. Seatow sent two boats, one from the north one from the south. I was able to repair the problem and motor out of the channel. They continued in and stood by while I completed the repair. They never even asked for my member number.
I have seen stories on each service both good and bad, I recently saw a story by a guy that said Towboatus came to Bimini to tow him back and did it for free, their agreement clearly states they don't cover the Bahama's. I have also seen stories that say Seatow has charged extra or considered a tow salvage, but there always seems to be something strange about these stories.
I recently renewed my Seatow coverage, for $119.00 per year I am more then comfortable knowing they are out there for me. I know if I call out they will answer. I think if we look at coverage and service reasonably then we get more then we expect from them. The guy in the Bahama's said he called Seatow and they wouldn't immediatly drop everything and run over becouse he was the Admiral of a yacht club, he was safe and at a marina, they said they would come over Monday morning and tow him back, that was not good enough for him so he bitched about bad service to everyone, is that really fair? You be the judge.
For me it's Seatow.
You got to realize that the towing companies (SeaTow, TowboatUS and VesselAssist) are all locally owned franchises. Every franchissee seems to have his own business plan and method of operating. You really got to check on your own operating locale to who does the best job. If you really spread yourself out maybe you should go with more than one. It's still cheap insurance when you need it! Just ask around on the forums etc.
I've been with SeaTow now for 3 years. As I knock on my wood desk; no need for them as of yet.
When I am on the water, I know 2 things that are consistent. (1) As I leave my neighborhood boat ramp I can hail SeaTow on my VHF and get a radio check response from them every time. (2) As I head to some local fishing flats, offshore, or to an island to hang out with the family - I always pass the yellow SeaTow boat at the Dunedin (FL) Causeway Bridge.
I understand that SeaTow rates are going up. I don't care. Gas prices are going up and my SeaTow Quarterly Newsletter seems to reflect that more and more yellow boats are on the water in various areas of the US. So am I to complain that out of $5 bucks more a year, SeaTow is using $2 to cover inflated gas prices and $3 to reinvest in new and upgraded vessels for their fleet? BoatUS-less seems to be lining their pockets with membership dues. Yeah, so BoatUSless dues don't go up $5? If they don't get you in the dues - they will nail you in their BoatUSless/West retail shop. I seldom see a BoatUSless vessel on the water - and don't even ask about VesselAssist.
For my needs and peace of mind - SeaTow has worked for me.
Sea tow left me stranded twice. I guess you can be real satisfied with them if you never have need to call them.
I guess it all depends on the franchise operator.
Never heard a bad word about Boat US towing, but have heard lots of bad stuff about SeaTow. I've never had to use a towing service in 25 years of boating so I'm fortunate enough to say I've never had to count on someone to get me back to shore.
I would stick with Boat US based on the horror stories I've heard about SeaTow.
Towboat US is not a franchise. Their people are salaried employees and wont try to salvage you when all you need is a tow. The employees dont make any more money by salvaging you or towing you. Thats a big difference in operations.
1999 23 Regulator-2 2003 Yamaha 200 HP HPDI's. Charter and SKA Tournament fishing. President Onslow Bay SW Fishing Club, Chair of Onslow Bay Open KMT, 100% volunteer, benefits underpriviliged Kids in Eastern NC. $12,000 raised for Eckerds Camp E Ma Henwu 2002 Tourn., $6800 for Take A Kid Fishing 2001 Tourn.
See, haven't we made it easier ??
It's kinda like asking, ford or chevy? Great taste, less filling ?
or "does this dress make me look fat?" There are always certain questions that bring up these debates, it truely is as others have said "a personal experinace"..
Easy answer, contact the local office of both in your area. Go down meet and talk with them (or at least call), find out what boats they have and where docked, ask same questions of both. Choose the one who fits your needs.
Stanman, you are correct TowBoat US is not a franchise. They are licensees. Licensees however are not salaried employees. They are licensed by Boat US to use the Towboat US name. Beyond that the business is theirs as long as they follow guidelines set by the company giving them the right to use the name. This however only pertains to the owners of the local towing locations. Employees (other captains,deckhands,divers,etc.)on the other hand are either salaried or hourly personel. And I hate to burst your bubble but these employees are generally paid a fixed rate per day and then a cut of what their boat makes. That is pretty much industry standard regardless of company. Anyway I just wanted to clear the air on all of this franchise vs. licensee stuff that is generally misconstrued into meaning one company is better than another because of the way they are affiliated with their parent company. What does make a difference however, is the local licensee or franchisee (owner). Just like you have read so many times before. Go to the service providers in your area and talk with them. Both companies are respectable service providers. It is up to you however to figure out which local owner cares the most about his customers. Ask around in your local area and don't ask 2 or 3 ask 15 or 20 boaters. Remember there are folks out there who are always right and life and everyone in it are trying to screw them so don't let one horror story sway your opinion go with what the majority are saying.
Thanks for all the info guys- great help. The local SeaTow guys seem pretty reliable, no BBB complaints and they are located at the Port. TowboatUS are a little farther afield round here. Will go with SeaTow and give it a shot.
I think BillD has the correct answer. Talk to the reps in your area and choose the one that gives you the most assurance that they will be there when you need them. On that note I broke down in Walkers Cay and called SeaTow. They sent a boat over the next day. We left the following morning under tow. They were very reliable and professional. They are the tow company of choice for me.
If this is a repeat of something above, please pardon my dyslexia.
I can't remember if I heard this here or on another board... Before accepting any help in a non-life-threatening situation, ASK if this will be considerred a salavage job.
If you are told no, you should insist on doing the paper-work first. If they say it's safer to wait then you are probably going to be charged for salvage.
FYI - I've never used one of these services and this is second-hand advice.
quote:Originally posted by wilsonkm:
Thanks for all the info guys- great help. The local SeaTow guys seem pretty reliable, no BBB complaints and they are located at the Port. TowboatUS are a little farther afield round here. Will go with SeaTow and give it a shot.
Just hope the motor keeps on running.You probably did the right thing going with Sea Tow. Up here in the Delaware Bay, the local Sea Tow operator also runa a Marina and his knowledge of the Bay is second to none. I used his service twice and No one can beat the service given by Capt Ed out of Popeye's Marina
In San Diego, Sea Tow had a major presence here and sold a lot of memberships. Then they went out of business!!!!!!!!!!! The guys with sea tow memberships have to use another service, pay for it and apply for a refund. Im glad I stayed w/ VA.
No matter which service that you decide to go with be SURE when you call them for assistANCE
you ask for them by thier specific name not just a "generic" name for help, thast way you will get who you want rather than someone else
We have both Sea Tow and TowBoatUS. We used Sea Tow once on the Hudson River. Our 23' Maxum suffered a "locked up engine". (water in the cylinders / problem with head gaskets). Thank God we had an extended Q-Guard warranty! Sea Tow was "GREAT"! They came out in 3' seas to get us. They are very professional. ----Greg
Just remember to get the tow captain to acknowledge that it's a tow and not a salvage. Some of the previous threads involved less than obvious situation where the tow said the paper-work could wait and then got hit for salvage.
Rule of thumb, if the situation is life-threatening don't bother making the captain pass papers. It's likely to be a salvage anyway and the delay could be critical.
I don't have tow-insurance. This is just my take from the things I've read here and on toher boards.
The local SeaTow guy docks in my marina. I stop and chat with him from time to time. Have not yet needed his services, but I am fully confident that if needed he will be there to provide top notch assistance
SeaTow 
