Boat US Annual Tow Service

[macsfriended]

I've read their web site and feel that this is a smart and reasonable cost service for those bad days when something has gone wrong and help is needed.

I am a fresh water (only) boater and the tow service reports active ports on my home waters of Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

Sooooo, the question is what else should I know about their services and costs. Any body had a surprise that wasn't clear to them when they signed up??

Curious minds want to know.

Thanks, Ed

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

The only thing I know is if you are grounded then its a salvage operation and there lies a whole different world.
99% of the people where I boat will pull you back for nothing, or a beer.
Because they all know it could be them someday. I have towed 3 back in the last 2 years and been towed back once. I boat on inland lakes and rarely on lake michigan tho.
I have never seen the need for a tow service, but they do have a place.
In fact I think the only time I see them here is around the big holidays and then only around the mouth of the grand river.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I too am at LOTO and have my pontoon insured through BOAT/US that includes towing and as a member have towing through it as well. I guess I am double covered.

I believe just through the BOAT/US membership it gives one a couple of hours of towing, which should be enough. But my member packet is at the lake.

Lake tow has their own blog - http://laketow.blogspot.com/

With 4 boats, they got most of the lake covered, except for the upper reaches and they do go there, but primarily to unground those who don't know the channel.

I have given tows to many a boat, but it seems that way too many anymore just aren't willing to help another boater out, so when they came to the lake, I took up the towing coverage.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I believe just through the BOAT/US membership it gives one a couple of hours of towing, which should be enough. But my member packet is at the lake.

Yeah I believe you're right about basic coverage, but it's NOT enough. I once had a breakdown only 3 miles from the ramp so I called TowBoat/US. Their clock starts when they leave their dock, not after hooking up. Back when I got the 3 miles tow I had $300 coverage. The tow cost $450. yeah, for 3 lousey miles. Ever since I get their unlimited insurance for about $130/year

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I believe just through the BOAT/US membership it gives one a couple of hours of towing, which should be enough. But my member packet is at the lake.

There are no free hours. The costs are covered up to the amount of the coverage you purchase. With tow cost starting averaging $250 per hour and the clock running from the time they leave home port to the time they return, better count on getting a pretty hefty bill unless you buy unlimited towing.

I've used my unlimited coverage twice in 15 years. Both times I could see the dock from the boat and my bill was still over $400. All I did was sign the receipt and went on my way.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I carry their unlimited towing insurance, too. Haven't had to use it yet, but nice to know it's there. Sea Tow has basically the same service available.

I've heard, but can't confirm, that the tow boat operators can even be called upon to lead you through dicey waters/inlets. Anyone had that experience, or am I full of it?

You can also call them to get updates on local waters- hazards, buoy placement, best course through narrow channels, etc.

My .02

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I have boat us. We boat at dusk weeknights and the thought of getting stuck after dark with kids on board panicked my wife. So we have the tow insurnace for peace of mind at night.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I have checked into SeaTow and TowBoatUS. I opted for TowBoat because they cover the fresh inland water ways as well as the salt water. I opted for the Gold package which is a tow all the way back to my home port if that's what I want. I advised them that I have been as far as 250 miles from my home port and they informed me that it would be covered!

I have had to use them for a soft grounding (not a salvage issue) because I didn't feel like waiting 6 hours for tide changes. The operator was there within the hour. Signed the receipt and I was off. He even waited by the boat to ensure I was running properly and had no damage.

For $148/year...I'll take it. A standard soft grounding removal would have been $400.

 

[sasto]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I've had SeaTow for years. Good stuff in my area or anywhere else I've been in the USA.

Several years ago in the FL Keys we had an old 34'er with no motor....was our party barge. We would call SeaTow every few weeks and have them tow us to a different location. Topless girls will get you anywhere too....Oh, the good ol' days!

 

[ShadowB]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I have BoatUS and I'm on a lake that has no associated BoatUS marina. BoatUS tells me it's not a problem as they will work with the local tow folks. I checked with the locals and they confirm BoatUS does a good job with that hence, I got the Unlimited Gold. As others have stated I would recommend you have enough coverage. Also my boat insurance covers towing as well but the coverage isn't as good as the unlimited. Folks on our lake are great when it comes to helping out so I'm paying for peace of mind for that one time no one is around to help.

 

[MainShip36]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I have always used Seatow, the small cost is worth the peace of mind. I remmebr one time on an all night booze cruise, an engine block drain plug fell out at 3am while in the intercoastal in Jupiter and I was pumping water in the bildge.

I called Seatow and about 2 hours later they showed up and brought me home. Well worth the $150 per year.

We all took a nap while waiting for them. They only boat was in Palm Beach and he was towing someone else at the time, so it took a little longer than usual.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

We have a place on Lake of The Ozarks, as well.

Last autumn, we took a guest (wife's aunt) on a color tour down the Big Niangua. On the way back from Ha-Ha-Tonka, the boat died abruptly. Fortunately, a couple in a passing Pachanga turned around and towed us to the nearest marina. Fortunate, because that was the last boat we saw all day.

We now have towing through Boat U.S.

btw...I replaced the sending unit for the gas gauge a few days later, (thanks iBoats). Yes, I was out of gas.:redface: $170 later and we were on our way with a full tank of premium.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I too am at LOTO and have my pontoon insured through BOAT/US that includes towing and as a member have towing through it as well. I guess I am double covered.

I believe just through the BOAT/US membership it gives one a couple of hours of towing, which should be enough. But my member packet is at the lake.

Lake tow has their own blog - http://laketow.blogspot.com/

With 4 boats, they got most of the lake covered, except for the upper reaches and they do go there, but primarily to unground those who don't know the channel.

I have given tows to many a boat, but it seems that way too many anymore just aren't willing to help another boater out, so when they came to the lake, I took up the towing coverage.

Howdy! Did Boat U.S. give you any deals or offers for giving you the credit for the referral?

 

[JupiterJoe]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

I have been a Tow Boat US member for 5 years used it once the bill would of been 1100 but a smile and a hand shake was all it cost me that day. The best thing is your coverage goes with you on any boat not just yours.. and for $15 extra you get trailer assist. I own a trailer company and I have that too. My boat is 27' 9000lbs and if it breaks they said they would send a tractor trailer lowboy tow truck to get me at no extra charge.. I love my Tow Boat US

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

My marina owner uses my boat for the towing service on our lake.

I think we or just him has towed in over 30 boats in the last 2yrs

Yes I get rewarded very well & with some other perks as well.


The thing is ..... Who do I call if I breakdown ??. .

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

We have Boat US. I don't remember what package, but ours includes unlimited towing, through locks, from wherever we are to our marina. It also includes retrieval form soft or hard landings, 5 gallons of gas, jump if the battery dies, etc. I think it's $138/year. Just the simple tow insurance is $50 and well worth it!

Plenty of boaters to help us and we help them, it's the peace of mind that matters most to us.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

Howdy! Did Boat U.S. give you any deals or offers for giving you the credit for the referral?

Nah, but thanks for thinking about me anyway.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

Nah, but thanks for thinking about me anyway.

Sorry. The weekend crew couldn't answer the question. I'll call the membership department tomorrow. (If for no other reason, I put a lot of effort into getting you credit for the referral.)

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

For $148/year...I'll take it. A standard soft grounding removal would have been $400.

wow! I need to start charging a donation fee for pulling people off sandbars! Pulled 2 boats and 2 pontoons off last year on my local river.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat US Annual Tow Service

Like all insurance (including extended warranties) and blackjack, there's a mathematic component (you lose), a comfort/convenience component (you pay for) and a safety aspect (every boater is different.) Take this statement for example:
"I had $300 coverage. The tow cost $450. yeah, for 3 lousey miles. Ever since I get their unlimited insurance for about $130/year."
So the "$450 tow" cost him $150 plus what ever he paid in premiums. If he pays $130 a year for three years, he has paid more than the $450 tow.
Or the guy who used it twice in 15 years, and avoided a $400 tow bill: the math question is, How much did he spend on premiums in 15 years? $2,100 at $140 a year. he is not better off with the coverage--at the math level only.

So depending where and how you boat, you will probably be better off economically to pay the full towing bill occasionally than the annual premium. But as I said before, that does not factor in "peace of mind" convenience or coverage against the extreme (the 40 mile off shore tow). Those may, or may not, be worth paying for.

Now, if you get towed annually, you are doing OK--untill either you, or the towing company, realizes you need a new boat!