To Sea Tow or not to Sea Tow

W

WeekiTiki

New member
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
 
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. :(
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
outbackbill":3gnkk51m said:
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
Click to expand...

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?
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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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