Tow Boat Insurance

[C-Hawk]

Here's a good read on the BoatUS site.
Topic: Has anyone had success with Unlimited tow

[SEA3PO]

What a mess... I have never been towed... but I guess there's always a first time.... I kinda understand the 3 strikes yer out... I wish 911 would sometimes use something like that....often I feel like a taxi cab ....some folks call just for the free ride.. but think nothing about disturbing 12 to 15 peoples lives just to take them to the hospital... (my main gripe)

My boats insurance policy has some towing coverage...it's not a ton...but I think paying the deductable on my insurance is better than being a member of sea-tow and paying dues every year...... even if I am towed one time in five years...I would still come out ahead....but that's just in my case....

Another case for two motors, two tanks, two fuel systems, two batteries...etc.

Joel
SEA3PO

[matt_unique]

$150 a year for "unlimited" towing up to 25 miles out from one of their stations is pretty cheap insurance. If you needed any service without a plan you are paying no less than $300 regardless of how far they have to go. The bill would likely be much more than that and they require a credit card on the spot. I also opt for the on-road towing insurance for something like $30 a year.

Once my rear-end blew out while towing. It was about 10 at night and I was just passing through Providence. AAA would tow my vehicle 100 miles but not the boat. Fortunately I was able to reach a friend who drove down to tow my boat. I did not want to be stranded like that again (or to have to ask a friend to leave his house at 10:30 on a Sunday night and drive for 2 hours).

Now that I will have a twin engine Tomcat I'm much less concerned but it's still cheap insurance for what you get.

--Matt

[thataway]

This brings up the issue of "individual" responsibility and the code of the sea--sure the world has changed. We have never had towing insurance. We take responsibility of our own actions and boats, plus if some one else is in trouble we go to help them. We and our neighbors watch the local bay. If a boat is in distress, I hop in the boat and go out and tow them in--often leaving them at our dock until they can get the boat fixed. We have gone as far as 60 miles to help out another boater who was stranded--and we were paid in fish. Fine--better than not being paid at all!

I have considered it imperative that each of us makes sure that we have the equiptment and skills to get out of trouble--this means extra or kicker motors, fuel filter systems, extra fuel supplies, enough tools and spares to fix what might break. Consider when we crossed oceans that a part would break? We had to fix it, or make something do and go on.

The xame holds true for local boating--take stock of the gear. Make sure that you have the spares, the parts and tools, plus the knowlege to fix things. Then you don't really have to worry about being towed in.

Incidently if that person who was at the dock, had cast off, and fallen back into the lagoon, the towing service would have paid the full cost. I have seen this occure several times--where folks were at a dock and cast off, kedging to a point where the towing service could pick them up, without being "attathed" to a dock.

Perhaps this gets back to the "Seamanship" issue--take responsibility.

[Hunkydory]

Bob

Very good response. We try to do everything you mentioned and prefer to rely on that instead of towing insurance.

Jay

[ffheap]

Hi Folks,

A friend of mine who owns a 30'+ SeaRay broke down on the Cape Cod Bay side of the Cape Cod Canal. He called BoatUS Tow and had an unlimited package for towing. They came and towed him through the Canal and into Onset because Buzzard's Bay was a mess. The next day they came back and towed him to Wareham, his home port. Total cost of the tow was estimated as over $3,000.00. His cost $0.00. I believe the unlimited towing is the way to go. Good insurance.

If you are a member of USPS or USCGAux, you get a discount on your membership and towing package from BoatUS. I pay about $120.00+- for unlimited towing, membership, and tow vehicle insurance.

Fred

[matt_unique]

There are those with higher levels of expertise that can no doubt solve most any problem afloat. I consider Tow Boat US as just another tool in the tool box if for some reason I can't fix a problem.

With that in mind, what do you guys carry aboard for tools, spare parts, etc?

[ffheap]

Hi Folks,

I carry a better tool box on my boat than I have at my INN. Full set of pliers and screw drivers, set of openended wrenches, hammer, wrench to get prop off, extra fuses, stainless screws, light bulbs, etc. I keep it in a plastic tool box with a tray. I check it at least once a year.

Fred

[thataway]

Tools: Complete socket sets (1/4 to 1/2" drive, with an adaptor to 3/4" drive, and a couple of 3/4" drive sockets for specialized items). Include in that hex (allen keys) sockets. Two large vise grips, needle nose vise grips, small regular vise grips, chain vise grips and strap wrench. Pry bar, alignment punches, Water pump, regular and several needle noise pliers. full set of screwdrivers, Jewlers, including narrow space right angle ratchet drivers, 1/2" blade large screw driver. Various other wrenches-such as spring clips. Hack saw, with extra blades, set of files--both rasps, rat tails, mill bastard, etc. Needle files. Pieces of solid wire in various sizes. Set of allen keys, set of box wrenches, cresent wrenches. Ball peen hammer, battery operated Dremmel tool (with drill bits and multiple grinding, cutting etc blades). Calipers, machinist rule, hand drill and bits (If I am going offshore, I put in battery operated drill and grinder), impact driver set.

We carry plumbers strapping, hose clamps, small amounts of bar stock, threaded rod in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2", with nuts. An assortment of nuts bolts and screws, clips, ties etc. Also some appropiate short lengths of hose, hose barbs etc. All of these extras are in a medium sized tackle box. Extra filters, plugs, oil etc for each engine are also carried. We also carry several sheets of assorted gasket material. There is epoxy, both sticks, JB weld, and 5 minute clear. Spray can of Liquid rollers, wd 40, Aero Kroil, anti corrosion spray and gel. Also various sizes of electrical wire and multiple crimps, ratchet crimpers, small propane torch, with regular and silver solder. Assorted light bulbs, a couple of extra sockets and plugs.

We also carry a small hatchet/axe and folding shovel. Plus a cheater bar. Sure this sounds like a lot of stuff, but it is amazing what you can repair/build by hand. On our offshore boats we had a lot more, including a welder, drill press, considerable amount of metal stock, fiberglass and epoxy, engine gasket sets, spare injectors. One has to remember that the tow boat services only cover a very small part of the world.

Even on Lake Powell, almost every year we tow some boat back to a camp site or mechanic, because they have a break down or out of gas/bad filters etc.

One time we were some distance from civilization on our RIB in AK, and the fuel pump on the outboard started to fail. We carry an abreviated kit with us when we go in the dinghy, and found some "extra" hypalon on the inflatable, which we could fashion a new diaphragm for the engine fuel pump and got us home nicely--it would have been a very long paddle--in an area where these is not only no towing service--but communication is almost impossiable other than by HF or satellite radio.

I think if one always is in a place where a towing service serves and can be summoned, will arrive in a timely manor, and you have reliable communication that it would make sense. Once you go out of the boundries of these areas, then you will be on your own--even with the tow service.

[Doryman]

[matt_unique]

Ha ha, I think you have more tools on the boat than I do at the house!

[DaveS]

When performing maintenance/repair on the boat/motors at home and I need to use a tool of any kind I use one that is already on the boat. If there isn't a tool on the boat capable of performing the function I desire, then I get one and leave it on the boat. (Same with trailer.... any tool needed is located either in the boat or in the tow rig).

(Some day "Sea Shift" will look like the "Snap On Tool Boat" )

Years ago, I had a neighbor that was a Snap On Tool salesman (expensive neighbor to have). If I was working on some mechanical project and needed a tool I didn't have, I'd grab one off his truck and then at the end of the job we'd talley the list and I'd write a huge check to him....

[journey on]

As far as Boat US towing goes:

I used it once, several years ago. The tow company helped me in and I anchored for the night. Unfortunately, they did not put a line on my boat. Claim denied. Whatever you do, have them tie up to you and tow you, even if it's only 10'.

Tools are nice, but they don't fix everything, especially at night.

Boris

[Sea Wolf]

Bob-

That's an impressive list of tools! I carry most of them, although being on an inland lake, I'm not in as helpless position as I would be on the open ocean or a large bay.

I'll bet you just omitted including the electrical repair tools in the listing that I know you must carry.

Such a list would have to include spare bulbs and fuses for all those used on the boat*, a complete set of solderless connectors, a ratcheting crimping tool, wire strippers, wire cutters, solder, a propane pencil soldering tool, a digital VOM meter, a bulb operated 12 volt continuity tester, shrink tubing, electrical tape, liquid electrical tape, a few spare switches, fuse holders, fuse parts for panel switches, circuit breakers, wire of various gauges and appropriate colors, wire ties, grommeted wire hangers, a few sections of plastic spiral wrap for looming wires, and a few sections of the split side type, too, etc.

I also include the spare parts I've taken off or replaced on all the electronic and electrical devices if they're still serviceable as emergency spares.

Your electrical system is often the most problematic area on a boat until you sort it all out and correct everything. You need the tools aboard to continue the process as you go cruising or fishing.

*including the large fuse (you may have a circuit breaker) next to the battery that feeds the main bus up under the helm, which, in turn, distributes power to all the instruments and electronics, etc.

Did I forget anything? (Off the top of my head.)

Joe.

[thataway]

Hi Joe,
Some of those were buried in the midst of my list--but I didn't include the tape, and fuses. I do carry one extra 60 amp breaker and a 150 amp breaker (main consule and windlass--Inverter bank breaker). It seems like every year at the C Dory Gathering I am loaning the dealer fuses for the new boat's VHF radio!...

I didn't mention the digital volt meter, the polarity tester for the 110v outlets, some self amalganating tape, labels and labeler,

I wrote Warren the specifics of where these things were stored--but basically there is plenty of room under the navigator's feet and under the foreward V berth. The tools don't take as much room as one might think.
Same for the spares.

I didn't also mention extra shackles, light line, a Davis spare anchor light, and a few other items; it blurs what is usual navigational gear and what is spare...

I think that the philosophy is different if you have crossed oceans, where there is no choice but to fix the item. We did a valve job on a genset half way across the Atlantic, we rebuilt a starter, including some rewiring and turning the armature by hand, with a "bow" and emery cloth. I guess it is time in 3rd world countries which teaches you that this is the type of repair which is done on a daily basis to keep the mechanics going. I once needed a complete new bracket for an alternator. In a Greek machine shop, the machinest got out his hack saw, and a solid block of steel. A few hours later, he had a perfect new bracket--no welds--out of a solid piece and a lot of sweat. A hack saw, files and small grinders can do a wonder at fabrication...