What is the deal with Sea Tow? Jerks!

[AB From Windsor]

That is Bull-sh t and they not only should be boycotted by all boaters, they should be sued for the damage they case to the engines and drives by leaving the boat in the water for such a long time. Boycott Sea-Tow and any other Towing Company that is taking advantage of boaters this way. This is just another example of a Business in the Boating Industry giving all the Good Businesses a bad name..

[MacGyver]

So if a tow is considered a salvage, what exactly does that mean for the boat and owner? Is sea tow trying to claim rights to your boat?

[Fast Shafts]

Last week a 38 Cigarette flipped in Barnegat Bay NJ, 3 SeaTow boats showed up and told the owner it would be a "salvage". This should have been a simple tow-the boats was floating, and no one, or the boat, was in immanent danger. The owner told SeaTow to take a hike!!! Good for him!! The boat was later towed to a marina.

[Tantrum]

How is it that the race organizers have no previsions for recovering race boats during the race?
Am I missing something?

[plumbers crack]

They are fn vultures.I soft grounded at low tide about 10 yrs ago.I called on the vhf for a tow and they tried to pull me off tide was running about 7knots and I ended up with less water than when we started.the tow boat operater said come aboard my vessel and I will bring you to shore.They told me when the tide came back up they would tow it to there back yard,and I could pick it up in the morning.Gave them my boat us number and came back started the boat and drove off.Boat us calls and said tow boat claimed salvage $4,000.00 I disputed the charge even though I was covered.Eat **** and die. sea tow

[rchevelle71]

I noticed a sea tow boat heading towards them about 5-10 minutes after the wreck, all of a sudden he turned away and went somewhere else??? WTF happened there???

I remember the mess with How Sweet it is also, yes they are crooks, but Seatow is a franchise, so ya cant say that they all are bad. I use Towboat US, and the most a tow has ever cost me is a $20 Tip!!!

[Fountain38SC]

Sea tow left me stranded in the keys for hours while their local tow guy was fishing. I finally called their main office, spoke to one of their managers and after some threats related to their contract - guess what - they called US Boat and paid the tow. Been with US Boat ever since and not a problem. Sea Tow just suks!!

[Cash Bar]

I would bet RP is a PLATINUM, or at least, CENTURION AMEX member. They guarantee their customers satisfaction and don't play around with people that try to rip off their customers.

I would have AMEX tell them to FO for me.

I use mine for every big thing I do. I put most of the house remodel on there for peace-of-mind.

[yzbert]

Originally Posted by BY U BOY

Major rip off. I will not ever call them. Fortunately I boat on a lake and there is always someone willing to give a tow....

If I recall correctly there was a member on here that said they called Seatow to be pulled off a sand bar and sea tow called it a salvage because they had to get out of the boat to bring them the tow line.

anytime you leave your boat it is considered salvage, and i believe that they get a percetage of the boat value per some sort of maritime law. i do think that they work the system to there advantage. coast gaurd wont help unless life is in danger. they have you at your time of need and bend you over.

[88Fount33]

Both Boat US and Sea Tow have similar verbage about "salvage" in your membership agreements!

I almost didn't sign up, but then the two times I've needed Sea Tow, they have been there.

Out of Gas while tied up to a gas dock miles away from home (Made it 1 hour before closing time to the dock, only to find it "closed" cause their was a thunderstorm and the employees closed early)

Second time, sea weed in the raw water intake lines before the sea strainers, rather than fight it in the water and risk the boat to open sea strainer in bilge, I opted for the tow home and lift out of the water to flush with garden hose.