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To Sea Tow or not to Sea Tow

 
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WeekiTiki



Joined: 12 Jun 2019
Posts: 412
City/Region: Weeki Wachee
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Just Cruisin'
Photos: WeekiTiki
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 12:32 pm    Post subject: To Sea Tow or not to Sea Tow Reply with quote

Purchased emergency towing insurance last year when I bought my C-Dory

Since then I've got the boat running great, wasn't originally and I was a bit leery of it

In all my years of boating I did have to get towed in once years ago from 26 miles out, clogged fuel petcock behind tank that I had no clue was even there

Never had towing insurance before until this year and didn't need it then either

Farthest I've had this boat off shore is about five miles, maybe

So just how many of y'all have towing insurance?

And what do you pay...$179/year here

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Pacificcoast101



Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 717
City/Region: Torrance
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: No Pressure
Photos: No Pressure
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I pay $175 for the highest level of towing at BoatUS. I've had to use them (Vessel Assist) four times in the past 30 years. Without insurance, towing from Catalina Island is a minimum of $500. It's a drop in the bucket compared to how much the boat costs me each year. Sad
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2008 Tomcat 255
No Pressure



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journey on



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 3593
City/Region: Valley Centre
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: journey on
Photos: Journey On
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, towing insurance is certainly a personal matter, so only you can make the choice.

Journey On is a 2005 model, with the same Honda engine. The first few years I did not feel I needed towing and I took whatever Boat US provided. Now both the boat and I are older and though I've never needed it, unlimited towing (which needs to be defined) sounds like a good deal; so I've got unlimited towing. $180/year sounds like a cheap way to get out of a bad situation. It gives me peace of mind as long as I'm within cell phone range. We've got a phone call in Desolation Sound, so I know they cover a wide range.

By the way, the only time I tried to use towing insurance was on entering Brunswick, Ga. at night in a lightening storm. I'd never been there and needed help to get in safely. The tow indeed met me at the entrance and took me to a good anchoring site. When I turned it over to the insurance, I found that they don't pay for help, you have to have something wrong where they actually tow your boat. I could have just stopped the motor and let them tow mo to the anchorage. Cost me $700 to get out of that.

Boris
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 4:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I come from a back ground where you cared for your self and your friends. I have towed a lot of boats.. Only had to be towed once, and that was not 100% necessary, and only about a mile, but worth the $100 the tug charged me... (long story, involving a failed transmission and a ferry boat cutting off my planed entering the lock under sail....).

I carry some type of kicker, secondary fuel source. I don't want to depend on someone who may come hours later, and then attempt to charge me salvage--which happened to one of my neighbors. ($9,000 bill by Boat US, even though he had tow insurance with them.). I have also seen Tow services abuse boats. On the other hand, I have seen some towed to safety.

My son has a 25 and he has tow insurance. He has used it.

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Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
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Home port: Pensacola FL
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outbackbill



Joined: 23 Apr 2011
Posts: 47
City/Region: Mocksville
State or Province: NC
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Blue Days
Photos: Blue Days
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 7:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In Florida Sea Tow seems to have better coverage but when we checked Boat US had better nationwide coverage. We chose Boat US and in the 7 years that we lived aboard and traveled full time we had 2 water tows and 3 truck/trailer tows. I am very satisfied. We recently switched to Geico for our boat insurance and Boat US is included with your boat insurance.
Bill
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colbysmith



Joined: 02 Oct 2011
Posts: 4523
City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
PostPosted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have Boat US. Can't remember what it costs, but it's reasonable insurance if I break down somewhere. That includes towing on land as well. I also have a kicker and maintain everything well. Just a better peace of mind with the Boat US policy. Colby
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WeekiTiki



Joined: 12 Jun 2019
Posts: 412
City/Region: Weeki Wachee
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Just Cruisin'
Photos: WeekiTiki
PostPosted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

outbackbill wrote:
In Florida Sea Tow seems to have better coverage but when we checked Boat US had better nationwide coverage. We chose Boat US and in the 7 years that we lived aboard and traveled full time we had 2 water tows and 3 truck/trailer tows. I am very satisfied. We recently switched to Geico for our boat insurance and Boat US is included with your boat insurance.
Bill


What kind of premium could I expect?

Never had insurance on a boat

or motorcycle

Didn't used to be so many boats on the water though

More worried about them than me

And I'm sure my little 22 would be less than your 25.

Suppose I should get a quote

When I bought the boat I put it in my wife's name...

Do you suppose a woman would get a better deal or worse?
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gstraub



Joined: 02 Aug 2017
Posts: 112
City/Region: Callao
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 1998
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: EnDoryFun
Photos: EnDoryFun
PostPosted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Around our part of the Chesapeake Bay we have a volunteer sea tow service called Smith Point Sea Rescue. They run just like any rescue service here and are dispatched by the county sheriff dispatcher. They run three boats and also have a couple of skiffs. I've been towed in twice in the past 38 years (once on our sailboat and once on a museum vessel), and both times were by them. They are great and run entirely on donations! In spite of that, we also have the BoatUS towing mainly for when we are out of the service area of the local volunteer service, but so far have never needed it. It sure makes me feel better having it though. Just like AAA for the car.
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smckean (Tosca)



Joined: 18 Jan 2014
Posts: 974
City/Region: Guemes Island (Anacortes)
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Tosca
Photos: Tosca
PostPosted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is this service available for west coast Canadian waters?
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journey on



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 3593
City/Region: Valley Centre
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: journey on
Photos: Journey On
PostPosted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think that BoatUS has one rate: $178. This is for unlimited towing (whatever that is.) One can be male, female or other, it's the same.

I looked into the service in Canada last year. It appeared to me that if you had it in the US it's good in Canada. Of course you have to be able to contact them and a boat has to be available in the area. That leaves the area north of Vancouver Isle and Prince Rupert questionable. On the other hand I'm not a lawyer.

Boris
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chucko



Joined: 12 Jul 2011
Posts: 168
City/Region: Davidson
State or Province: NC
C-Dory Year: 1997
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Angel
Photos: Sea Angel
PostPosted: Sat Sep 12, 2020 4:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Check your insurance policy closely, you may have some limited tow reimbursement and not be aware.I have nationwide and they allow 500 bucks to be reimbursed for towing
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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
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City/Region: Sequim
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C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 12, 2020 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, Boat US does have tow service on the BC coast, at least as far up as Nanaimo. OK, I know that is not far north, so beyond that, if you have to get a tow, AND have the BOATUS Saltwater Unlimited, you pay the available tow service and BoatUS will reimburse you. That is what the BoatUS guy told me. He also said it would be good to contact BoatUS at the time and give them the opportunity to arrange for having the tow done. Then they are aware of the situation and know they don't have srevice in you AO at the time.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

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South of Heaven



Joined: 15 Aug 2015
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State or Province: MA
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 12, 2020 9:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Boat US guy here too. I think it's $149 for unlimited in my neck of the woods. It's a no brainer imho.
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easy does it



Joined: 08 Sep 2017
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City/Region: Redmond
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Pura Vida
Photos: Easy Does It
PostPosted: Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:04 am    Post subject: post topic Reply with quote

We have tow insurance included in our Chubb watercraft insurance policy, which I am very happy with. Towing on Lake Powell is very expensive even if you can get a hold of them. That's why I have a single engine and a kicker. And I followed Dr. Bob's advice and carry an extra battery ..just in case.
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