Seatow vs. BoatUS

[alormaria]

I've used BoatUS towing off the coast of Jersey. They were quick and professional.

[rjtrane]

I have had great service from BoatUS - i always purchase my annual membership (highest available) at the Annapolis Power Boat Show because they discount and offer a delightful gift - usually a tote bag that lasts several years.

It is my understanding, that if you're in an area not serviced by BoatUS, then they have an agreement with independents and/or Sea Tow.

[Sceptic]

Red boats, yellow boats, they are functionally the same.

I belong to both, and have used each one once. The additional cost is trivial in the grand scheme of cruising.

The first time, when the Velvet Drive decided to take a week off, the yellow boat was 20 mins away, and the red one a hour. I went yellow

On the second occasion, a stupid soft grounding, the red boat was 100 yards away, and looking at me. I just waved him over. Yes, it’s a popular spot to go aground.

Mike

[Nomad Willy]

This is a single engine thread right???

Mark'
You eat lunch in your berth w the VHF ON???
That squawking thing would give me indigestion. In Thorne Bay VHF didn't work and all the visiting yachties whined about it.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by jeffnick

Boat/US would be my choice - unlimited policy. I've never needed them but have been on a buddy's boat that used them twice. One time they came 60 miles to get us...towed us back and put us in the slip.

That would be Sadler, right? The joke around here is, he just wanted to save some gas.

[Marin]

Originally Posted by manyboats

Mark'
You eat lunch in your berth w the VHF ON???
That squawking thing would give me indigestion. In Thorne Bay VHF didn't work and all the visiting yachties whined about it.

Depends on where you are. When we are in the Gulf Islands, particularly over on the eastern side, there is a VHF channel we love to tune in in the evening while we have dinner, read, etc. I forget the channel number right now but it's the one used by all the Fraser River tugs as they work their jobs.

It's like an ongoing soap opera because they not only talk about what they're actually doing--- moving barges, working with other tugs to maneuver log rafts and so on--- but they also use it to discuss what's going on in their lives. So you hear about what they're kids are doing and how stupid so and so acted the other night when he got roaring drunk and how dumb BC and Canadian government officials are and why, and on and on and on.

It's very entertaining plus somewhat informative too, as to how the tug crews do their jobs. We always look forward to tuning them in when we're up there.

[BruceK]

Originally Posted by manyboats

This is a single engine thread right???

Maybe people see a connection between singles and towage.
If anyone has a connection to BoatUS, can you tell them there is an opportunity to establish a service in Sydney Australia.

[Nimble1]

I started using SeaTow over twenty years ago and have never had an ooocaison to use them but its nice to know they are there. We don't usually go that far (50 to 60) miles from home but it sure could be expensive to get home without them.And the Honda 45hp outboard pushing us is 22 years old!
In our area both SeaTow and BoatUS are very visible and both stay busy on the weekends.

[Roostor]

I use Sea Tow, only needed them 1 time, and they were very prompt and courteous...and the bill would have been a bit over $800.00 if I did not have the Gold Plan.

[sharppractice]

Here in the south uk we have sea start .only used them once amazing service.

[River Cruiser]

No tow service on the river near us, there is a BoatUS now about 65 miles downriver near St. Louis. Best to practice good preventative maintenance to minimize needing a tow. When there are a lot of boats out on summer weekends there are plenty of people who will lend a hand when needed. Other times weekdays or off season there aren't many boaters out, some days I've seen more tows than anything else.